Respect our flag, says Donald deCastro
Radio host and public activist Donald deCastro could not agree more with these statements.
According to Mr. deCastro, it is a shame that Virgin Islanders themselves do not seem to have much respect for the flag unlike other nationals who fly their flags proudly at every opportunity. He lamented too that Government has not been pushing to make people more aware and respectful of the flag as a means of promoting VI pride.
“I cannot recall the last time I have seen either the Union Jack or the Virgin Islands flag flown on the Police Headquarters. The old administration building now occupied by the registrar of the Supreme Court does not fly the flag, the flags now flying at the Commercial Court have not been lowered in months, as a matter of fact not since last year about September,” deCastro had noted in a letter to the Deputy Governor’s Office in January.
The outspoken deCastro had written the letter asking for information as it relates to the Virgin Islands flag such as government buildings the flag is required to be flown along with the days and times; who is responsible for the raising and lowering of the flag?; if and when foreign governments and organizations are permitted to fly their flags and what requirements and permission is needed and from whom; and the requirements for individual Virgin islanders or belongers to fly flags at their private homes or businesses.
He had also stated that a few years ago when Usain Bolt of Jamaica broke the 100 metres World Record, he was told that there was a parade of Jamaicans led by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and there were only Jamaica flags paraded. “If this is true wouldn’t they have needed permission to hold such a parade and wouldn’t it have been mandatory for one or both of our flags to head the parade?” deCastro asked.
A disappointed deCastro told Virgin Islands News Online that he only received a response from the Deputy Governor’s Office in July and it was not very helpful. “As far as we have found out, there are no laws or general regulations on the flying of flags in the Territory,” the letter stated.
The correspondence did state though that the DG’s Office was thankful for deCastro drawing attention to the “situation pertaining to flying flags on Government building. Your queries have highlighted the need for more specific procedures to be put in place to govern the flying of flags in the Territory. In preparing these procedures, we will take into consideration the points listed in your correspondence”, the letter, signed by Permanent Secretary David Archer, stated.
Nevertheless, Mr. deCastro pledges to continue to press for the Virgin Islands flags to get its “due respect”.
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