Students from the Ulla F. Muller Elementary School sported sashes with many of the family names shared by residents of the greater Virgin Islands as they performed at the plait pole Saturday morning in Charlotte Amalie. Photo: CHRYSTALL KANYUCK

Whether hailing from the United States territory or the British one, the most important thing shared by all the people of the greater Virgin Islands is their ancestry, Noel Charles said Saturday morning as he began guiding about 100 Friendship Day attendees on a walking tour though historic downtown Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas.

Students from the Ulla F. Muller Elementary School sported sashes with many of the family names shared by residents of the greater Virgin Islands as they performed at the plait pole Saturday morning in Charlotte Amalie. Photo: CHRYSTALL KANYUCK
“You see, the blood, the very blood that runs through the veins of you and I connects us by father, by mother and tribe for generations,” Mr. Charles said, adding that the family names common in both territories reflect this connection.

“So tell me, who ya fah?” called out Mr. Charles, listing names including Hodge, Smith, Frett, Stoutt, Dawson, Rhymer, Penn, Christopher and Callwood. Then he invited attendees to add more, and they complied, listing names including Freeman, Chinnery, Turnbull, Leonard and Blyden.

The call-and-response served as an introduction for students from the Ulla F. Muller Elementary School, who wore sashes listing common family names as they performed around a plait pole set up in front of the Alvaro de Lugo Post Office.

The tour was a new format for VI/USVI Friendship Day, now in its 41st year, and it kicked off with welcome remarks from USVI Governor John deJongh, who called the friendship between the two territories a strength that helps both face shared challenges.

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See the Oct. 23, 2014 edition for full coverage.

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