Stories of Service and Strength Fill Veterans Day Ceremonies on St. Thomas

Along with offering their gratitude, speakers at Veterans Day events on St Thomas also filled Thursday afternoon with personal stories of U.S. Virgin Islanders who have served, or who have been there for veterans in times of need.

That included Thursday’s honoree, Milford A. Thibou, Jr., also known as “Junior,” of Jr’s Cakes and Bakes, who Office of Veterans Affairs State Director Patrick Farrell said went above and beyond to provide St. Thomas’ veterans with free food and drink after a recent series of outpatient medical labs at the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic.

“They say the quickest way to anyone’s heart is with food,” Farrell joked as he presented Thibou with a plaque for his service and detailed how the effects of the procedures were felt immediately after, with some veterans even experiencing low blood pressure after fasting for a day in preparation. Without skipping a beat, Thibou dropped in, bringing dumb bread, bush tea and a smile.

Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett also awarded Thibou a Congressional recognition and said that at the heart of every battle, U.S. Virgin Islanders have met the call to serve with enthusiasm and honor. After listening to words of inspiration from Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory about the legacy left by the late Army four-star general, Gen. Colin Powell, Plaskett pointed out that it was a U.S. Virgin Islander – Crucian-born Samuel Emanuel Ebbesen, a retired lieutenant general and deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy – who was among those closest to Powell that spoke at his funeral.

“That’s how great our V.I. men and women of service are,” Plaskett said. “Our veterans of the territory have played an integral role in safeguarding the safety of our nation and its freedoms.”

In remembering the service of her father Jacob Frett, Frett-Gregory also chose a heartfelt quote from Powell that echoed the feeling of the day.

“The nation owes a great debt to its veterans, whose service to the nation spans every decade, every year, every day of our country’s existence,” she quoted. “Through untold courage and sacrifice, America’s veterans have secured the liberty which the founding fathers sought to establish in times of darkness and danger – as well as in times of peace and prosperity. America’s veterans have been there.”

And with their service has come hope, Frett-Gregory added, remarking on the outline of the rainbow that dotted the grounds of the Reichhold Center for the Arts, where Thursday’s ceremony was held.