Happy Independence Day One & All!!

Amen!

I just returned from 7 years in a land that still must assert its independence from a large and vicious neighbor.

Value the independence our forebears fought to give us.

I am feeling particularly snarky this morning. From what I can ascertain:

St Thomas has NO Independence Day activities. The governor didn't even make a proclamation.

St Croix will have fireworks tonight. They are also having horse races.

St John, which is in the middle of festival, has absolutely NO events listed on their calendar. No flag ceremony, no fireworks, no nothin'.

This is the thanks we give to the mightiest country in the world. The country that defined liberty and justice for all.The country from whom we beg buckets of money every day. I am very sad to be a Virgin Islander today.

God bless America. Thank you forefathers for the audacity of the Declaration of Independence. Let freedom ring.

The events on STX are planned and excuted by local residents. Maybe STT and STJ should start thinking about July 4, 2011.

East Ender, maybe the 4th isn't as big a deal here because back when America declared its independence, it was still using West Indians as slaves. It must be hard to celebrate such a momentous occasion in U.S. history when in was still a dark period for islanders, who weren't emancipated until almost three quarters of a century later. I'm sure the lack of enthusiasm is not meant as an affront to the states; you just have to take into account the island's history before faulting them for it.

Amber: Independence Day has always been celebrated before this. I am well aware of the history that has been promulgated here.