St. John Plays Host To First Transfer Centennial Week Events

ST. JOHN — St. John was the venue for the first official ceremony to commemorate the Transfer Centennial, the 100th anniversary of the transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States. Governor Kenneth Mapp joined with other officials at the Frank Powell Park in Cruz Bay for a short parade and the first of three ceremonies scheduled by the Virgin Islands Centennial Commission in observance of this significant milestone in the territory’s history.

In his remarks during an earlier reception at The Battery to honor outstanding senior citizens of St. John, Mr. Mapp was candid in describing what confronts Virgin Islanders in terms of the ongoing political development of the islands.

“There’s no question that we have made great progress over the past one hundred years,” he stated. “But still we do not enjoy all the rights and privileges of American citizens residing on the mainland.”

Mr. Mapp said that while the territory’s citizens are not going forward complaining, there must be a continued push for equal treatment of proud American citizens and very proud Virgin Islanders.

Among those attending the St. John Transfer Centennial ceremony were members of two Danish chapters of the International Police Association. Arne Holdensen, chairman of the IPA local chapter in Vordingborg, Denmark, said the group timed a vacation to coincide with the centennial observance. The Virgin Islands Centennial Commission, he said, has invited the members to all ceremonies planned throughout the territory. The next formal ceremonies will be held on St. Croix and St. Thomas on Friday, which is the actual anniversary date of the historic transfer. Many ancillary events are scheduled throughout the week.

Also present for the St. John ceremony were Lt. Governor Osbert Potter, Senate President Myron Jackson, Senators Jean Forde, Brian Smith and Dwayne DeGraff. The chairperson of the Virgin Islands Centennial Commission, Pamela C. Richards, officiated.

Feature Image: Aerial shot of Cruz Bay, St. John.