Sept. 14, 2001 – Some Virgin Islanders are planning to respond in groups to the candlelight vigil initiative promoted across the nation and around the world via via e-mail in the last 24 hours.
The call is for people everywhere to light candles at 7 p.m. Friday to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the mainland Tuesday and to show the solidarity of the American people and their supporters who "stand united" and "will not tolerate terrorism."
A candlelight ceremony will be held at Cruz Bay Park on St. John. Realtor B.J. Harris asked that those planning to attend bring their own candles.
The youth fellowship of the St. Thomas Reformed Church will hold a vigil at Smith Bay, Pastor Jeff Gargano said.
At the regular 7:30 p.m. Friday service at the St. Thomas Synagogue, there will be a candlelight observance, Trudie Prior, president of the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, said.
E-mail messages calling for participation in the vigil ask everyone, everywhere under the American flag to "step out your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment, and light a candle" at 7 p.m. Friday. The message continues: "Please pass this to everyone on your e-mail list. We need to reach everyone across the United States quickly."
The Source has been contacted by Virgin Islanders who have received e-mails from California, Alabama, Georgia, New York and Alaska. Prior said she had gotten more than 14 messages from the mainland since Friday morning.