In Its 99th Year, Transfer Day Was Marked By New U.S. Citizens, Forging A Path Forward

ST. CROIX — Thursday’s Transfer Day Commemoration, in its 99th year, had more attendees than usual, and for many reasons: dignitaries from the U.S. mainland and Denmark — Dept. of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina, and Consul General of Denmark Anne Dorte Reggelsen — were present, and 44 residents born in various parts of the world pledged allegiance to the U.S. flag as they became citizens of the country.

So it was day filled with profound joy made evident by the cheers that filled a tent erected at Fort Christiansvaern. But it was also a day for the territory to begin contemplating how it wants to move forward, according to Ms. Jewell, who clearly stated that the Virgin Islands could choose to remain part of the U.S. or seek independence.

“As you look to your centennial, as you look to the next hundred years, what would you like to be? What would you like for the Virgin Islands? Do you want to continue to be a U.S. territory as you are today with the opportunities and yes, the challenges, that comes with that? Or do you want to move towards statehood with the challenges and opportunities that come there? Do you as a people want to become an entirely new country represented in the United Nations with the opportunities and certainly the challenges that come there?

“We encourage you to have these conversations in your homes, in your schools, in your communities, in your places of worship, and of course in your Legislature — to say what do we want as Virgin Islanders for our future. That is self determination, and we welcome that relationship and that partnership in the U.S. Government,” Ms. Jewell said.

On March 31, 1917, the U.S. purchased the Virgin Islands from then-owner Denmark, for $25 million. The territory has been part of the U.S. ever since, but residents have been withheld some of the rights that mainland citizens enjoy. For example, U.S. citizens born in the territory, who live here cannot vote for president; an issue raised by both Governor Kenneth Mapp and Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett during their remarks.

Mr. Mapp spoke of VI citizens who have died — more than any other state in the U.S. per capita — while serving in the armed forces. And he offered President Obama, through Ms. Jewell, an invite to visit before he leaves office, so he could see first-hand the islands’ history, gains and setbacks, and also to enjoy its rich culture.

Other speakers included Senate President Neville James; Sonia Jacobs Dow from the St. Croix Landmarks Society — who passionately spoke of the territory’s history and also asked that Mr. Obama visit the islands; Ullmont James Jr. took the audience back before the territory was under Danish rule; and V.I. National Park Service Superintendent Joel Tutein spoke about his love for the parks and the Transfer Day event.

Those who became citizens yesterday had their origins from the United Kingdom, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and Israel.

After the commemoration, Mr. Mapp and Ms. Jewell briefly addressed reporters, with Mr. Jewell expressing satisfaction on her first official trip here, and the governor extending his hands further as he seeks to strengthen ties with the federal government.