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
Ralph Bough
Violet A. Bough
Bertha B. Boschulte
Ivan Boyce
Loredon Lorence Boynes, Sr.
Lloyd “Dove” Braffith
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 Camacho
David C. Canegata, MD
Anita D. Christian
Honorable Almeric Christian
and Elena Christian
Aureo Diaz
Horace Clarke
and Elmo A. Plaskett
Robert O’Connor, Jr.
Brother Cornelius
Frank Crosswaith
Axel L. and Enid H. Frederiksen,
and Beryl Hansen
Ralph D. de Chabert,
Ansetta de Chabert,
and Mario de Chabert
Honorable Arnold Golden, Sr.
Delta M. Dorsch
Dorothy Lockhart- Elskoe
Charles H. Emanuel
Professor Gene Emanuel
Dr. Lesmore Emanuel
Malcolm Evans
James Graham and Family
Eugenie Tranberg Ford
Viola James Ford
Beryl Francis
Emile “Milo” Francis
Rothschild Francis
Conrad “Ricky” Francois
Trevor Nicholas “Nick” Friday
Claude O. Markoe
and Phillip Gerard
Leroy Gotlieb
Reverend Vincent H.A. Gordon
Emile Griffith
Dolores and
Christophena Hansen
Ludvig E. Harrigan
Hubert Harrison
Christian Hendricks
Elrod Hendricks
Dr. Arnold Highfield
Emile Henderson II
Clarence “Chera” Heyliger
Beryl Hill
Honorable Valdemar A. Hill, Sr.
Honorable Walter I.M. Hodge
Winston Hodge, JD
Casper Holstein
Evelyn Messer James
David Hamilton Jackson
Peter Jackson
Renholdt Rookie Jackson Sr.
J. Antonio Jarvis
Honorable Gerard Luz A. James Sr.
and Asta James
Honorable Randall James, MD
Jane Johannes
Helen I. Joseph
Dr. Gloria Ida Joseph
Wilbur LaMotta
Honorable
Frits E. Lawaetz
Alfred Harris Lockhart
William A. Liedesdorff
Honorable John L. Maduro
Terrance Martin
Ralph Mandrew
Vincent Mason
Miss Clara Mathias
Leon A. Mawson
Valentino McBean
Eliza James-McBean
Sylvester “Blinky” McIntosh
Frederick McFarlande, Sr.
Ariel Melchior, Sr.
Francisco “Paquito" Melendez
Corporal Sheila Middleton
James, Leroy, and Ralph Miller
Lucinda Millin
Jessica Tutein-Moolenaar
Dr. Ruth E. Moolenaar
Charles C. Ruebel and
The Honorable Theovald Moorhead
Esther Virginia Brow Moorhead
and Alexander A. Moorhead, Jr.
Angel M. “Chico”and Josefina Morales
Luis “Tito” Morales
Honorable Lew Muckle
Dr. Sax Myers
Ingeborg Nesbitt
Mongo 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
Adam Petersen
Darnley and Athalie Petersen
Evadney Petersen
and Dr. Eugene Petersen
Sheryl Petersen
Ulysses Pilgrim
Honorable Holland A. Redfield
John Alwyn “Lad” Richards
Anselm Richards
Arthur A. Richards
Ricardo Richards
Verne Richards
Honorable
Bingley G. Richardson
Evelyn Richardson
Eulalie C. Rivera
Lionel and Lucinda Roberts
Viggo Roberts
Honorable Elmo D. Roebuck
and Hector Roebuck
Richard R. Roebuck, Sr.
Henry E. Rohlsen
Alejandro “Alejo” Rojas
Antonio G. “Sundial” Romero
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jean A. Romney
Honorable Ruby M. Rouss
Rudolph and Lena A. Schulterbrandt
Lowell Schuster
Charles Seales
Victor and Llewelyn Sewer
George and Ubaldina Simmons
Adolph “Ding” Sixto
Blanche J. Sasso and Grace J. Sparks
Victor Solomon
Elaine Sprauve
Julius Sprauve
Thelma L. Springer
Myra Keating Smith
Eulalie Stevens
Archie and
Wesley B. Thomas
Eugene “Genix” Thomas
Ruth E. Thomas
Valmy Thomas
Peter G. Thurland Sr.,
Peter G. Thurland Jr.,
and Will Thurland
Honorable Terrence Todman
Ashley Totten
John Tranberg
Unise Tranberg
Ione Pemberton
Janice Tutein
Samuel Utendahl
Lito Valls
Anna Vessup
Leona Brady Watson
Edith Williams
Florence A. Williams
Glen “Tata” Williams
Ohaldo Williams
Patrick Williams
John H. Woodson, Jr.