Opinion | Stanley & The Ten Sleepless Knights Turns 50 In 2020. I’ve Started A Campaign For A Postal Service ‘Forever’ Stamp In The Band’s Honor.

The Ten Sleepless Knights (TSK) are our own Virgin Islands treasure. They have performed all over the United States and the world, spreading our unique music, quelbe” that speaks to how we are as a people.  Their repertoire includes gospel, Spanish, reggae, jazz, calypso; all with that special beat that remains unchallenged by anyone.

We, as Virgin Islanders, should be so grateful to have these humble, hilarious, compassionate and caring individuals as part of our community.  They keep giving through free concerts, school performances and scholarships.  

In 2020, TSK will be celebrating 50 years bringing musical joy to us.  It is amazing that this group remained together so long.  They will have events every day for the entire year, and I hope that we show our support by coming out.

In conjunction with this silver anniversary, I have started a campaign to honor the Ten Sleepless Knights by requesting a US Postal Service “Forever” stamp emblazoned with their image. Imagine seeing one of our own on a stamp. What a proud moment it would be for Virgin Islanders everywhere.

Remember, that same year, 2020, a quarter will be released as part of the National Park Service “America the Beautiful” campaign showing Salt River on St. Croix.  Although some of us might have a problem with highlighting Salt River because of its historical reference to Christopher Columbus, that should not hinder our acknowledgment of this occasion. 

If the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee in Washington, DC selects the Ten Sleepless Knights as one that deserve a stamp, we will have two events to celebrate.  

So, let us continue the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media.  Let us shout out loud, with pride and joy, that our very special Ten Sleepless Knights deserve to be thanked for all they have done. I hope the Government of the Virgin Islands declare the year “2020” as the year of the Ten Sleepless Knights, and I will be working to make that happen.  

Submitted on Sunday by: Shelley M. Thomas.

Feature Image: A collage of pictures of Virgin Islanders dancing to the sounds of Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights in December, 2015. (Ernice Gilbert, VIC)