Breaking

9-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Shot in Head in Croixville Housing Community; Police Detain 15-Year-Old

Concerned Residents Clean Christiansted Town Using Their Own Tools, Money, and Some Help from the VI Fire Service

Territory May See Veterans Cemetery Through DeGazon-Sponsored Bill

Credit and Debit Cards of WAPA Customers Were Compromised Since August 30th, WAPA Says, Authority to Finally Start Issuing Notification Via Mail and Email

Sports Tourism in VI Gains Momentum as DC United Team is set to Play Exhibition Soccer Game on St. Croix

Carnival Breeze Brings 3,700 Tourists to St. Croix During Maiden Call; Senators, Tourism Officials Want to See More

Limetree Bay Willing To Provide $10 Million To Help Add Life to a Dying G.E.R.S.

American Airlines to Serve St. Croix With New Flights Next Summer

The Sudden Death of Influential Roots Reggae Visionary, Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite Band and Akae Beka, Has Rocked the Virgin Islands and Reggae Community Around the World

Arthur A. Richards K-8 School Hosts Anti-Bullying Campaign

Come Out. Hang Out. Have Fun at The Meat Up, One of St. Thomas’ Latest Hot-Spot for Good Food with Friends and Family.

UVI Board of Trustees Approves $47.1 Million Fiscal Year 2020 Budget; Sets $3 Million Fundraising Goal

Man Dies During Early Morning Car Accident on St. Croix; Driver of Car Arrested (Updated)

'You Did Everything You Could to Prevent this from Happening': An Emotional Goodbye to Young Aaron Benjamin

Back in Business: Cost U Less on St. Thomas Opened its Doors Friday to Thousands of Customers 2 Years after Irma and Maria

Bill Aimed at Regulating Credit Use by Gov't Departments and Agencies Among Others Held in Committee

Juan Luis Hospital Announces Completion and Availability of Mobile Dialysis Facilities

Tractor Trailer With Tank Carrying Thousands Of Gallons of Liquified Gas Flips Near Cool Out Bar; Driver Injured But Alive

Credit and Debit Card Hack Through WAPA Appears to be Widespread in Virgin Islands; WAPA Says Support Services Will be Made Available to Affected Customers

Facing Life in Prison Without Parole, Mother and Boyfriend Plead Not Guilty in Murder of 4-Year-Old Boy

Territory May See Veterans Cemetery Through DeGazon-Sponsored Bill

Featured / News / Virgin Islands / November 10, 2019

Senator Allison DeGazon said on Saturday that she is spearheading legislation to assist the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans affairs by developing a State Veterans Cemetery in the Virgin Islands.

Currently, there is no established Veterans Cemetery in the Virgin Islands. The nearest cemetery is located in Puerto Rico.

Representatives from the VA office in Washington, D.C told Patrick Farrell, director of the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs, that for the VA in the Virgin Islands to receive assistance for burials, a state cemetery must be established.

“We need to have legislation signed by the governor of the Virgin Islands stating that you want to establish veterans’ cemeteries and expand and improve them in the future. We can/will do expansion grants as needed,” said Tom Paquelet, project manager and landscape architect for the VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, according to Ms. DeGazon.

According to the VA, the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program was established in 1978 to complement VA’s National Cemetery Administration. The program assists states, territories and federally recognized tribal governments in providing gravesites for Veterans in those areas where VA’s national cemeteries cannot fully satisfy their burial needs.

At the moment, the Virgin Islands doesn’t qualify for assistance due to the missing legislation, and Mr. Farrell said the project was long overdue.

“I see it as another step in the right direction as it relates to equalizing our Veterans with the rest of the nations’ Veterans. Yes, there are a few more steps to go, but this is a very significant one,” he said.

Ms. DeGazon said she is working with her colleagues such as Committee on Finance Chair Sen. Kurt Vialet and Senate President Novelle Francis Jr on this measure to support veterans in the Virgin Islands.

“It’s an honor to work with Senator Vialet and the senate president on such an important measure to recognize and salute our veterans. Finding the funding became a priority to ensure we produce an honorable resting place for those who gave their lives to serve and protect us. I echo Director Farrell in stating this is a step in the right direction for the entire community,” DeGazon said, noting that this bill is just one of several to come in support of Virgin Islands veterans.






Staff Consortium




Previous Post

Joseph Boschulte, Muriel Wiltord and Frank Comito to be Recognized in Miami During the 2019 Caribbean Media Exchange Leadership Awards

Next Post

Over 500 People Attended Housing Finance Authority's Territory-Wide Town Halls on Rental Rehabilitation and Home Reconstruction Program



Leave a Reply


More Story

Joseph Boschulte, Muriel Wiltord and Frank Comito to be Recognized in Miami During the 2019 Caribbean Media Exchange Leadership Awards

Three respected Caribbean tourism leaders will be recognized for their leadership achievements at the 2019 Caribbean Media...

November 9, 2019