Governor Bryan places luminaries at Gov't House on St. Croix Tues. Jan. 19 in remembrance of Virgin Islands Covid-19 victims. By. GOVERNMENT HOUSE
The U.S. Virgin Islands will join President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at 6:30 tonight for a national virtual memorial to remember Covid-19 victims. Over 400,000 Americans have died from the virus that has killed over 2 million people worldwide. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, 24 deaths are listed as Covid-19 related: eight on St. Croix, fifteen on St. Thomas and one on St. John.
The virtual event includes displaying amber or white lights at places of business and the tolling of bells at 6:30 p.m. at places of worship. Governor Albert Bryan thanked all the businesses in the USVI that plan on joining the memorial.
“As we take a moment to remember our fellow Virgin Islanders and the hundreds of thousands of Americans who tragically lost their lives to this virus and the many families who are forever changed by their losses and the economic impact of COVID-19,” said Mr. Bryan. “Let us also take a moment to reflect on pulling together as a community and as a country to focus on our healing and recovery from the pandemic.”
“Today we join countless others across this nation to honor those whose lives have been lost to COVID-19. The worldwide number of the dead and afflicted is staggering. It is both haunting and humbling to observe the loss of life, a massive tear in the fabric of the human family, including 24 precious souls in our own Territory,” stated Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach. “Now more than ever we seek God’s grace and guidance as we try to come to terms with our great loss, even as we continue the good work of keeping our people safe. During this special COVID Memorial tribute, I extend wishes for God’s comfort, strength, and peace to the family, friends and loved ones of those honored here today. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
“We recognize and honor the lives of those who have been stricken by this disease and hold their memory dear to our hearts,” Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory said. “May their loved ones find comfort, as we continue to fight for the health and safety of Virgin Islanders and all persons across the nation."
According to the administration, the Government of the Virgin Islands offices, along with those of Delegate Stacey Plaskett, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, and the Court System of the Virgin Islands will be participating in this national Covid-19 Memorial and honoring the memories and the lives of all twenty-four Virgin Islanders, as well as the hundreds of thousands of Americans, lost to COVID-19.
