{"id":31098,"date":"2015-11-09T22:31:35","date_gmt":"2015-11-09T22:31:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viconsortium.com\/?p=31098"},"modified":"2015-11-09T22:41:48","modified_gmt":"2015-11-09T22:41:48","slug":"veterans-day-celebrations-set-for-november-11-territory-wide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wp.viconsortium.com\/?p=31098","title":{"rendered":"Veterans Day Celebrations Set For November 11 Territory-Wide"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. CROIX — The territory will celebrate Veterans Day with events spread across here and St. Thomas, with Governor Kenneth Mapp, back on island<\/a><\/span>, attending all the ceremonies on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

On this island, the event is traditionally celebrated with marching bands and speeches as\u00a0government officials, soldiers, National guardsmen and women make their way from the Charles Howard Complex to Fort Christiansvaern\u00a0in downtown Christiansted. This year, however, the parade takes place in Frederiksted.<\/p>\n

According to a press release Government House issued today, Mr. Mapp will attend events here and St. Thomas on Wednesday, starting with the parades on both islands, and a veterans reception at Catherineberg.<\/p>\n

At last year’s event, former Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen, her final moment attending the parade as congresswoman, said it was an honor to serve those who’ve protected the U.S. and the islands over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my last Veterans Day as your Delegate to Congress and it has been an honor to serve our Veterans, their families and the people of the Virgin Islands,\u201d Christensen said.\u00a0This year, of course, she is replaced by Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.<\/p>\n

At a luncheon held for veterans at Government House here<\/a><\/span> last Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter said the event was merely a token to show appreciation to those who fight for freedom.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think any opportunity that you can utilize to recognize veterans for what they have done, you ought to do it,\u201d Mr. Potter told The Consortium. \u201cLike I said in my short remarks, you can never thank veterans enough for what they have done to protect our freedom. A freedom that we take for granted everyday.\u201d<\/p>\n

And\u00a0Director of Veterans Affairs Patrick Farrell, at the same event, said his\u00a0most pointed efforts will be to improve the relationship between his office and veterans, which he admits has been strained over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe image of not just the local Veterans Affairs, but the federal side of Veterans Affairs as well, is kind of tarnished already,\u201d Mr. Farrell said. \u201cOur veterans are not happy with a lot of things, so this is one of the events that we\u2019re going to use to bring veterans back into the fold and let them know that we do appreciate them, and we\u2019re going to honor them, and we\u2019re thankful of their service.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Virgin Islands Police Department also issued a press release making known to residents here restrictions that have been placed on parking for Wednesday’s activities.<\/p>\n

According to the release, parking restrictions are as follows:<\/p>\n