74.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsMilitaryLegion Recognizes Charter Members of Post 133 in Frederiksted

Legion Recognizes Charter Members of Post 133 in Frederiksted

Members of the American Legion march
Members of the American Legion march in the Veterans Day parade in 2018 on St. Croix. (Credit: Cenita Heywood)

The American Legion Post 133 of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, held its year-end recognition of members during its meeting on Dec. 8, 2019. Commander Caroline Fawkes called out comrades of the Bromley Berkley Post 133 in Frederiksted to the “Muster, Recruitment and Year-end Celebration.” Legionnaires, veterans, past Auxiliary members and those willing to join this service organization were asked to attend.

A muster is the process of accounting for members in a military unit using a formal event or military gathering. It is a “roll call” of its membership list. Approximately 25 legionnaires and their guests attended the meeting.

Legionnaires received insight on the history of the American Legion Post 133. A senior member for 68 years, Comrade Edgar Iles, joined the American Legion Post 133 for the meeting. He shared a brief history of the post, its charter, its struggles and its growth.

According to Iles, the concept of having a post in the town of Frederiksted was discussed and proposed in 1970. They set out on a journey to build the organization and met wherever there was an available meeting room. He shared the names of over eight locations used throughout the years before acquiring the official location on Prince Street in Frederiksted.

“I remember when there was no firing squad for the burial of veterans, so this post started one,” said Iles.

Additionally, Iles was joined by charter members Chester Williams (53 years), Earl Charles (23 years) and Lauritz Blackwood (20 years). They were recognized for their long-standing memberships. Iles said that Post 133 was chartered in 1972. According to history, there are approximately 16 charter members. Both Iles and Williams served as Post 133 commanders.

Recognition is an important component of a strong organization and maintaining satisfied members. Awards, certificates and plaques were presented to members and post volunteers. The categories were for charter members, service awards from the Department of Puerto Rico, service appreciation certificates, Paid Up for Life, and special presentations for facilities management, establishing and maintaining order during meetings. Post 133 received a certificate of recognition from the American Legion National Headquarters with the Post Retention Membership Award for a membership renewal rate of 92 percent.

Training is required to enable the growth and competency of an organization. The national American Legion offers group and online training for its members. Fawkes presented three members with certificates for completing the 2017 Service Officers School in Advocacy Skills conducted Feb. 7-8, 2017.

Fawkes conducted a ceremony to swear-in new member Karen D. Williams, who retired from the Virgin Islands National Guard after serving for 28 years in the Army National Guard. Comrade Williams follows a legacy of service in the American Legion. She shared that she grew up in The Legion as her parents volunteered countless hours.

“It was my home and a second family,” she said. Comrade Iles, her uncle as well as Comrade Williams, her father, are past post commanders. Additionally, her heritage includes two deceased members: her mother, Isabelle Edney-Williams, was the first Auxiliary president and another uncle, Samuel Elcock, was a Post Commander.

The Auxiliary is an important component of the American Legion organization. According to the American Legion, the Auxiliary has been serving, helping, and meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families since 1919. These volunteers support the American Legion as a service organization as it provides support for our veterans, our military, and their families.

During the meeting, Fawkes introduced Ophelia Jackson, who is tasked with re-igniting the Auxiliary in Post 133 — a very active and vibrant element of the post’s history. Several Auxiliary members have died. “Remember, recruiting is everyone’s responsibility,” Fawkes reminded the gathering.

The December meeting ended with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the national American Legion organization — 1919 to 2019. The celebration included a cake-cutting and an evening dinner where attendees socialized and reminisced.

For more information on Post 133 of Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, contact Commander Caroline Fawkes at 227-8827 or xenar838.zez@gmail.com. Follow it on Facebook: search for Post 133 St. Croix, USVI – American Legion Bromley Berkeley Post.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.