A hearse awaits the arrival of Logan Cruz on the apron of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. By. SHARIMAR CRUZ
Baby Logan, the two-year-old boy who captured the attention of thousands across the U.S. Virgin Islands and elsewhere, and who died earlier this month after a lifelong battle with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, returned home Monday to a hero's welcome at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix.
Logan, whose strength during his fight with the childhood cancer inspired many, was honored as the American Airlines jet that brought him home received a water salute. The hero's welcome included first responders from a number of government arms, including the V.I. Police Department, Emergency Medical Technicians and the V.I. Fire Service.
Also waiting on Logan's arrival on the airport's apron Monday afternoon was a James Memorial Funeral Home hearse. As he was being placed into the hearse, family members who carried the event live on the Logan Miracle Foundation Facebook page — which was viewed over 74,000 times as of Tuesday morning — became emotional with tears.
Family members prepare to greet Logan Cruz during a hero's welcome event at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. He arrived on an American Airlines flight just after 4:00 p.m. (Credit: Sharimar Cruz)
Anais Cruz, Baby Logan's mother, spoke to the Consortium Monday evening about the hero's welcome and the overall experience since her son's death on January 7.
"Today was magical. It was emotional having him here, but it was magical," said Ms. Cruz, whose journey documenting her son's fight grew into a movement that the family has vowed to keep going. "Everyone made it happen, the community came out. All these departments came out and they made this moment for me and my family just magical, that's all I could really say. There were people on the side of the street with signs and people on the side of the street standing there crying. I am forever grateful to our community."
Ms. Cruz said the support of the community has been a sustaining source of love which has given her strength to continue. "It keeps me grounded for the most part because it's a reminder that my son's legacy has to live on," she said. "It's a reminder that as his mom I have to remain strong in order to continue his legacy, and the community has been so supportive and I am beyond grateful. It's a daily reminder to keep going."
The American Airlines jet that Logan Cruz arrived to St. Croix on received a water salute by the V.I. Fire Service as part of a hero's welcome event held for the deceased child on Mon. Jan. 17, 2022. (Credit: Sharimar Cruz)
Even so, Ms. Cruz spoke of the pain she felt throughout her son's battle with the cancer and after his passing. "Logan was sent here for a reason and I have to fulfill that reason. It hurts because I endured two years of ongoing pain and now I have to endure a lifetime of pain that I never thought was even possible. I didn't believe it could get any worse, and it has. And the closer we get to the funeral, the more it feels real, the more it hurts, the more sleepless nights I have.
"My anxiety of the upcoming funeral is just overwhelming because that is the last time I will physically see my son, and it's a big toll on me and I have been trying to fight through it emotionally."
Yet while the reality of Baby Logan's passing continues to hit home, Ms. Cruz said her resolve to continue his legacy remains a priority. "It's a reminder that Logan was sent here to change the world, and I have to continue his legacy."
The funeral service takes place at the City of Refuge Worship Center in Barren Spot on Saturday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The colors for the home-going event are royal blue and orange, and it's open to the public.
