CHRISTIANSTED—Governor Albert Bryan Jr honored Virgin Islands Veterans who served in the Vietnam War during a ceremony at Government House in St. Croix Wednesday.
The event, which was attended by dozens of Vietnam Veterans and their families was held in honor of National Vietnam Veterans Day which is commemorated nationally on March 29.
“Today’s event is important for many reasons, but mainly because it celebrates a group of patriotic Virgin Islanders, many of whom, did not get the welcome they deserved when they returned home from the war,” Governor Bryan said. “It is important we recognize each of you for your service and your contributions and that we do that in the people’s house.”
Governor Bryan also celebrated Wednesday’s event as his first official meeting with a group of Virgin Islands Veterans as governor and as the first-ever event hosted at Government House honoring the territory’s Vietnam Veterans in accordance with the national commemoration of National Vietnam Veterans Day.
President Trump, signed into law The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day in March of 2017.
Office of Veterans Affairs Director Patrick Farrell welcomed the Veterans in attendance and shared heartfelt words on the importance of Wednesday’s event to the Veterans who attended.
“After learning that some Veterans would meet comrades they haven’t seen since the conflict was heartwarming. That in itself made me feel that this event was a success even before it started,” Director Farrell said.
The Office of Veterans Affairs made arrangements for Vietnam veterans living in the St. Thomas-St.John district to travel to St. Croix for Wednesday’s ceremony.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, Governor Bryan handed out to each veteran attendee a Vietnam Veteran Honor Hat and posed for a group photo which the governor announced each veteran in attendance would receive as an added token of appreciation for their service.
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Photo Captions
Photo 1: Governor Bryan and Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs, Patrick Farrell and his staff, pose for a photo with Virgin Islands Veterans of the Vietnam War after a recognition ceremony at Government House Wednesday in St. Croix.
Photo 2: Governor Bryan gives a Vietnam Veteran Honor Hat to a veteran attendee during a ceremony honoring Vietnam War Veterans at Government House in St. Croix.
Photo 3: Governor Bryan gives remarks during a ceremony Wednesday honoring Virgin Islands Veterans of the Vietnam War at Government House in St. Croix.
