The St. Eustatius flag being hoisted by members of different uniformed groups, while Ingra Bennet sings the St. Eustatius anthem “The Golden Rock.”
Sue-Cayli “Princess Galloway” Roosberg (left, foreground) and Mia Jenna “MJ” Courtar (right, foreground) performing their song “Oranjestad: Island to Island” at the Statia Day opening ceremony on Saturday.
Statia Junior Carnival Queen Meliffany de Palm (centre, with microphone in hand) giving a presentation at the Statia Day opening ceremony, as her team demonstrates.
The St. Eustatius Girls’ Brigade saluting dignitaries as they parade through the streets of Oranjestad.
Dignitaries watching the uniformed parade on Statia Day.
Dignitaries from Saba, St. Eustatius and the United States at the Statia Day opening ceremony.
St. Eustatius Boys’ Brigade drum band performing during the uniformed parade.
Ladies displaying their traditional cultural wear on Statia Day.
Global Terminal Investment (GTI) Statia Terminal’s First Response Team saluting a uniformed group during the parade on Statia Day.
- EUSTATIUS–Many persons were on hand for the opening ceremony of the 243rd anniversary of Statia Day, which took place on Saturday, November 16.
Uniformed groups marched past the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Simon Doncker Museum.
As the flags of the Netherlands, the United States (US) and St. Eustatius were hoisted, their respective national anthems were sung. The Dutch anthem “Het Wilhelmus” was sung by Raisha Barbei, the US anthem “Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by Alicia Redan and the St. Eustatius anthem “The Golden Rock” was sung by Ingra Bennet.
Attending the ceremony were St. Eustatius Government Commissioner Marcolino “Mike” Franco, Deputy Government Commissioner Mervyn Stegers, Dutch representative in St. Maarten Chris Johnson, Saba Island Council members Vito Charles, Carl Buncamper, Hemmie van Xanten, and Esmeralda Johnson, US Ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra, and US Consul-General in Curaçao Allen Greenberg.
The event’s Master of Ceremonies was Leonico Lopes and Reverend Vincia Celestine gave the opening prayer.
The ceremony featured several performances, presentations, and songs by various persons, including Statia Junior Carnival Queen Meliffany de Palm and her backup crew who gave an uplifting message to fellow youths about being able to anything they put their minds to. Mia Jenna “MJ” Courtar and Sue-Cayli “Princess Galloway” Roosberg also performed their song “Oranjestad: Island to Island”.
Franco said Statia Day is an occasion when persons get to reflect on the past, present and future of the island. He said St. Eustatius is at a crossroads in its development, which is evident with the number of businesses on the island and the increase in employment opportunities.
Franco spoke about the pilot project to pave several dirt roads. The first road in this project, White Hook (White Wall), has already been started, he said.
He also spoke about the reorganisation of the current government apparatus, whereby civil servants are being relocated, trained and educated.
He said Statia Day will be held in Fort Oranje next year, as the project to protect the historical site is expected to be completed by then.
“As we pause to celebrate Statia … I want to remind all Statians that while we cannot do anything to improve our past, we can certainly learn from it to improve or future,” Franco said.
Hoekstra said during his speech that he was privileged to be present to celebrate the day. He spoke briefly about his personal ties with the Netherlands. He was born in Groningen and his parents emigrated to Holland, Michigan, when he was three years old.
“I can only wonder what went through the minds of the American crew [of the ship Andrew Doria – Ed.] as they approached the island and sailed near the fort and as they fired the salute to Statia and the crew wondered what was going to happen.
“Statia did the right thing when the island fired a friendly salute in recognition of America’s flag and independence,” Hoekstra said.
He said that salute had begun a relationship that now spans 243 years, whereby the two countries are united in support of the same values and objectives.
“We hope that others around the world can see that when you respect freedom, responsibility and democracy that you will have prosperity and peace. We celebrate 243 years of recognition and friendship, that Statia will always have that unique place that no one could ever take away from you, that you were first ones to recognise the American flag and we are so deeply appreciative of the signal that you sent in 1776,” Hoekstra said.
Greenberg said he and his wife were deeply honoured to be invited to celebrate Statia Day. He said the first salute to the US flag is an important date to the US Consulate in Curaçao,
“In America, we have something called a ‘Spirit of ’76’. It refers to 1776, the year of our Declaration of Independence, the year of the first salute. It means different things to different people, but to me the Spirit of ’76 is a sense of discovery, courage, experimentation, willingness to break with old traditions that have outlived their time, to join together to seek new solutions, to bravely confront common problems, [and – Ed.] together, with all our friends and neighbours, to move forward for a better life all.
“You make us feel that special bond with this island that our American forbears, merchants, sailors, and soldiers must have felt when they visited here so many years ago. … I thank you very much,” said Greenberg.
A planned re-enactment of St. Eustatius’ first salute to the US flag was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Various uniformed groups paraded through Oranjestad after the opening ceremony.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/92552-statia-day-opening-ceremony-focused-on-the-island-s-history
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