, 1953-07-08

Mr.. Chairman, Administrator canegata, the Chairman and Mem
bers Of the Municipal Council, distinguished guests, fellow citizens
Of the Virgin Islands:
We have just reviewed a very impressive parade. In it we saw
the native patriotic zeal Of Virgin Islanders break forth in full
bloom under the able leadership Of the independence Day Celebra.
tons Commute. Chairman James, / am deeply grateful to you and
to the members Of your Committee for preparing and managing
this excellent program. ! want to commend both you and they on
a job well done.
of ST Croix rise gracously in total celebration of this national hoi-
day, Fellow citizens, this is to me the type of spontaneous outpour-
ing-addresSed to worthy vaIues-thata increases confidence in those
of us privileged to be your leaders.
In the parade we noted, particularly, another fine demonstra-
ton Of the warm interest and good neigborliness Of the Armed
Forces: in the Army and naval units which came over from Puerto
Rico upon our invitation to help Us celebrate in this fitting manner
the Nations fifth birthday. I want to thank the Commanding
General us. Army Antilles; the Commandment of the Tenth Naval
District; as well as the officers and men. for their splendid co-opera-
ton shown and excellent contribution made to this Independence
Day program.
There was a very familiar emblem, amidst the pomp and glory
of this traditional parade, which caught our serious gaze. It waved
proudly in the trooping Of the color. There was majesty in the mar
tal music, color and fine display among the uniformed units and the
patriotic floats. We admired the dignity and bearing in the unbroken
columns as they marched past with military cadence. But reverence
and awe covered us as The Flag OF the United States passed by in
review.
It came to US as in tones Of confidence, uttered in colonial '76,
and coming down the ages, recalling the ancient concept that God
the Creator has made all men equal and has given him certain
rights-ife, liberty, and the pursuit of happness-which no man can
take away. Our Flag is indeed the emblem Of the unextingushable
love Of Freedom: but it is more than an historical relic. It repre-
sents, in our American Way of Life, dynamic and renewing forces of
strength, of wisdom, and Of courage. Forces which we are called
upon to provide today from the national arsenal in the defense and
preservation of individual liberties wherever they are threatened on
the face of the Earth.
We, too, in these Islands know something about the price Of
eternal vigilance. It " om sad duty last February to lay to rest
here in Christiansted the body Of Pfc. Bromley Berkeley, late of
the United States Army, which had come home from the holocaust
If Korea Two months later the BODY of the second Virgin Islands
serviceman killed in Korea, Pfc. Viggo Sewer, was covered under
his native sod at Coral Bay in ST. John. On Friday afternoon OF last
week TIE rennars of the third Virgin Islands serviceman. the late
joseph Emanuel Williams, USlJ, were buried in Frederiksted where
he once lived. The lamp of Freedom burns brighter because OF their
supreme sacrifice IN the field of honor.
Nv fellow citizens, / ask that you join with the relatives Of
these fallen heroes present with us today and with me, in a mo-
ment Of silent prayer for the peaceful repose of the souls Of the