ST. CROIX — Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks reshaped the nation, family members, veterans, elected officials, and residents gathered for a ceremony Sunday on Strand Street in Frederiksted to unveil a monument honoring seven Virgin Islanders who died as a result of the attacks or while supporting recovery efforts.
The monument, erected by the American Legion Bromley Berkley Post No. 133 along the waterfront in the park near the intersection of Strand and Market streets, bears the names of Felix “Bobby” Calixte, William Henry Jr., John Holland, Chris M. Kirby, Christian Maltby, Claudia S. Sutton, and Staff Sergeant Maudlyn A. White. It was created by Clarence Henry, owner of Iron Lion Sales and Services, and his team.
As each name was read aloud during the ceremony, a firefighter rang a bell in tribute before the playing of “Taps.”
American Legion Post Commander Caroline Fawkes, who is also Sutton’s cousin, said the memorial was intended to serve not only as a place of remembrance but as a lasting lesson for future generations.
“This pillar exists because of collaboration, commitment and belief,” Fawkes said. “Today is not only about looking back — it’s also about moving forward with unity, with purpose and with a renewed commitment to one another.”
She said remembrance is not passive and should inspire compassion, service, and unity.
“As we dedicate this memorial, let it be a place where generations come not only to mourn but to learn, not only to reflect but to find strength,” Fawkes said. “May this pillar stand for generations, speaking when we are gone, teaching when words are no longer spoken, and reminding this community who we are.”
Relatives of three of the honorees and a close family friend of another were invited to the front of the gathering to receive gift baskets in recognition of their loved ones’ sacrifice.
The project originated with American Legion member Charles Farrell, a retired command chief master sergeant with the Virgin Islands Air National Guard, who said he was moved to act after realizing the territory had no public memorial specifically recognizing local victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“I noticed there’s nothing in the Virgin Islands really representing the victims that were killed in 9/11 in New York City,” Farrell said. “That became one of my pet projects.”
Farrell said the organization chose to unveil the monument on Memorial Day weekend because of its connection to honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. He also said the monument’s waterfront location was selected intentionally.
“This monument is set up in a very beautiful spot where visitors can come off the ship, take pictures, read what’s on the monument and know exactly what happened here — and that we support the families of the lost,” he said.
For family members, the unveiling represented both recognition and closure.
Peter Calixte said seeing his brother Felix Calixte honored brought a sense of peace after years of wondering whether such a memorial would ever be built. He said his brother worked maintaining HVAC systems at the World Trade Center and had worked there for more than 18 years. He was near the area of impact when the attack occurred.
“Right now, I am at peace,” Calixte said. “I am pleased.”
Claire Roker, aunt of Henry, recalled that her nephew had completed his shift as a firefighter when he received a call to return to duty.
“He was one of the first responders to go into the building,” she said. “He was just a wonderful young man and very devoted to the fire department.”
Asked what it meant to see the monument unveiled in his honor, Roker said she was overwhelmed.
“I’m elated because it shows the respect that even here in the Virgin Islands, we appreciate all of them who were devoted and what they did for us.”
Helena Ophelia Walters, mother of Sutton, who worked in the World Trade Center, said the recognition brought mixed emotions.
“I am so glad that they did that,” Walters said. “Although it makes me a little sad, but all this is in life.”
Noel Wynter, a family friend of White, remembered her as a quiet and dedicated woman who had just returned from a military tour in Korea before reporting to her new assignment at the Pentagon.
“She started to work in the Pentagon that same day,” Wynter said. “She never came back home.”
The ceremony included remarks from retired New York City firefighter John Fila, of Engine 54, who responded in New York after the attacks and spoke about the solidarity shown by firefighters and communities across the country in the days and months that followed. Rain showers arrived as Fila took the podium, and St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes, a fellow guest speaker, stood beside him holding an umbrella during the speech. By the time Fila concluded his remarks, the rain had stopped, and he thanked the Virgin Islands community for creating a permanent place of remembrance.
“Our losses were felt all over the world, and people that were killed that day came from all over, including this beautiful place,” Fila said. “And by placing this memorial here, you truly are saying that you have not, and you will not forget.”
Government officials who addressed the gathering emphasized both remembrance and the long history of Virgin Islanders answering the nation’s call to service.
St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes, representing Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., reflected on learning that White — his classmate from the St. Croix Central High School Class of 1982 — had been among those killed.
“It crushed me,” Sanes said. “Everybody processes grief differently.”
Sen. Novelle Francis Jr., representing Senate President Milton Potter, said the memorial ensures future generations understand both the pain of September 11 and the unity that followed.
“We’re doing more than unveiling a monument,” Francis said. “We are preserving memory. We are honoring sacrifice. We’re ensuring that the future generations never forget the lessons, the pain, and the unity that emerged from that tragic day.”
Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett said the memorial reflects the territory’s long tradition of service, saying Virgin Islanders have always answered the nation’s call.
“The names of the men and women inscribed on this monument represent the very best of us, and the very best of what it means to be a Virgin Islander — brave, committed, called to something larger than oneself,” she said.
