On July 3, 2023, and leading up to the historic date, the United States Virgin Islands will Educate, Engage, and Empower Virgin Islanders to preserve our culture, heritage, and rich traditions as well as strengthen our historic advancements.
Were it not for courageous Virgin Islanders like John Gottlieb “General Buddhoe”, and Admiral Martin King, who together organized a gathering in Frederiksted on the morning of July 3, 1848, using the blowing of the conch shell, leading the enslaved people of St. Croix to take possession of Fort Frederick, and demanding that those enslaved be immediately declared free, we might not know the freedom we have today. Anna Heegard is also recognized for her conviction and her role in our freedom.
The Committee reveres these six elected Governors of the U.S. Virgin Islands and honors them posthumously. These leaders empower the people to be firm in preserving our rich heritage and culture and take pride in securing a better future for generations to come.
Governor Melvin Herbert Evans
1970 - 1975
Governor Cyril Emmanuel King
1975 - 1978 & 1969 - 1969
Governor Juan Francisco Luis
1978 - 1987
Governor Alexander A. Farrelly
1987 - 1995
Governor Roy Lester Schneider
1995 - 1999
Governor Charles W. Turnbull
1999 - 2007
1848-2023
Here in spirit, the 175th Emancipation Commemoration Committee also honors posthumously the 175 Keepers of the Flame whose contributions since 1848 demand community praise and recognition. Today’s edition commences with 175 Names. As the Keepers of the Flame receptions on St. Thomas on April 4, and St. Croix on April 12, draws near, the Committee will publish brief Profiles of the Keepers of the Flame. Stay tuned!
Honorable
Ann E. Abramson
Alton Adams, Sr.
Wayne “Factsman” Adams
Wilfred Elisha “Bomba” Allick
Clara Aloyo
Mildred Anduze
Ivan Armstrong
Enid M. Baa
Dr. Ruth Harrigan-Beagles
Claude A. Benjamin
Honorable Raymond Finch
Guy Benjamin
Honorable Lorraine L. Berry
Edward Wilmot Blyden
Edith Bornn, Esquire
Ralph Bough
Violet A. Bough
Honorable Bertha C. Boschulte
Ivan Boyce
Loredon Lorence Boynes, Sr.
Lloyd “Dove” Braf
James “Jamsie” Brewster
Canute Brodhurst
Christian R.T. Brow
Theobold Brow
Irvin “Brownie” Brown
Asta O’Bryan
Alvin Baby Burke
Aminta C.N. Burnet
Leocardio & Gloria Camacho
David C. Canegata, MD
Ralph D. de Chabert, Ansetta de Chabert & Mario de Chabert
Anita L. Christian
Honorable Almeric Christian & Elena Christian
Aureo Diaz
Horace Clarke & Elmo A. Plaskett
Monroe Clendenen
Honorable Robert O'Connor
Brother Cornelius
Frank Crosswaith
Delta M. Dorsch
Dorothy Lockhart- Elskoe
Charles H. Emanuel
Professor Gene Emanuel
Dr. Lesmore Emanuel
Malcolm Evans
James Graham and Family
Axel L. & Enid H. Frederiksen & Beryl Hansen
Eugenie Tranberg Ford
Viola Ford James
Beryl Francis
Emile “Milo” Francis
Rothschild Francis
Conrad “Ricky” Francois
Trevor Nicholas “Nick” Friday
Claude O. Markoe
& Phillip Gerard
Viggo Roberts
Honorable Arnold Golden, Sr.
Reverend Vincent H.A. Gordon
Leroy Gottlieb
Emile Griffith
Honorable Holland A. Redfield
Christophina A. Hansen
& Dolores Hansen
Ludvig Harrigan
Hubert Harrison
Emile Henderson II
Christian Hendricks
Elrod Hendricks
Clarence “Chera” Heyliger
Dr. Arnold Highfield
Beryl Hill
Honorable Valdemar Hill, Sr.
Honorable Walter I.M. Hodge
Winston Hodge
Casper Holstein
David Hamilton Jackson
Peter Jackson
Renholdt Rookie Jackson Sr.
Evelyn Messer James
Honorable Gerard Luz A. James Sr.
& Asta James
Honorable Randall James, MD
J. Antonio Jarvis
Dr. Gloria Ida Joseph
Helen I. Joseph
Honorable Frits E. Lawaetz
William A. Liedesdorff
Alfred Harris Lockhart
Honorable John L. Maduro
Ralph Mandrew
Terrance Martin
Eliza James-McBean
Valentino McBean
Frederick McFarlande, Sr.
Sylvester “Blinky” McIntosh
Vincent Mason
Miss Clara Mathias
Leon A. Mawson
Ariel Melchior, Sr
Francisco “Paquito Melendez
Ira ”Dr. Saks” Meyers
Corporal Sheila Middleton
James, Leroy, & Ralph Miller
Honorable Lucinda Millin
Dr. Ruth E. Moolenaar
Charles C. Ruebel & The Honorable Theovald Moorhead
Esther Virginia Brow Moorhead
Adam Petersen
Angel M. “Chico” & Josefina Morales
Luis “Tito” Morales
Wilbur LaMotta
Honorable Lew Muckle
Dr. Sax Myers
Ingeborg Nesbitt
Magnus Mango Niles
Honorable
Athniel “Addie” Ottley, PhD
Honorable Earl B. Ottley
Honorable George “Bagoon” O’Reilly
Edwin Ortiz
Joseph “Joe” Parris
Honorable Alvin “Alli” Paul
Milton Payne
George Penn
Valentino Pena
Arona Petersen
Darnley & Athalie Petersen
Evadney Petersen
& Dr. Eugene Petersen
Sheryl Petersen
Ulysses Pilgrim
John Alwyn “Lad” Richards
Anselm Richards
Arthur A. Richards
Ricardo Richards
Verne Richards
Honorable Bingley G. Richardson
Evelyn Richardson
Eulalie C. Rivera
Lionel Valdemar Roberts Sr. & Lucille Roberts
Honorable Elmo D. Roebuck & Hector Roebuck
Richard R. Roebuck, Sr.
Victor Soloman
Henry E. Rohlsen
Alejandro “Alejo” Rojas
Antonio G. “Sundial” Romero
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jean A. Romney
Honorable Ruby M. Rouss
Rudolph & Lena A.
Schulterbrandt
Lowell Schuster
Charles Seales
Victor & Llewelyn Sewer
George & Ubaldina Simmons
Honorable Adolph Ding Sixto
Blanche J. Sasso
& Grace J. Sparks
Elaine Ione Sprauve
Honorable Julius Sprauve
Thelma L. Springer
Myra Keating Smith
Dr. Warren Smith
Eulalie Stevens
Archibald & Wesley B. Thomas
Eugene “Genix” Thomas
Ruth E. Thomas
Valmy Thomas
Peter G. Thurland Sr., Peter G. Thurland Jr., & Will Thurland
Honorable Terence A. Todman
Ashley Totten
John Tranberg
Unise Tranberg
Ione Pemberton
& Janice Tutein
Jessica Tutein-Moolenaar
Samuel Utendahl
Lito Valls
Anna Vessup
Leona Brady Watson
Edith Williams
Florence A. Williams
Glen “Tata” Williams
Mae Louise Williams
Ohaldo Williams
Patrick Williams