FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            22 June 2021

MEDIA CONTACT PERSON: Director Patrick Farrell

340-774-VETS (8387)

Vaccinated Veterans and Family Members Eligible for Vaccination Lottery

1. Are you a Veteran or the family member of a Veteran?
2. Did you get vaccinated in the Virgin Islands by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
3. Are you interested in an opportunity to win $100k as part of the vaccine lottery?

If the answer to all three is “yes”, and you are interested in the vaccine lottery, then the Virgin Island Office of Veterans Affairs needs to see you. Please bring your vaccination card and a government issued I.D. to the Office of Veterans Affairs within your district by Friday July 2, 2021. Documents must be brought in; no other forms of delivery will be accepted.

“Medically related records for Virgin Islands Veterans are maintained by the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. For those interested Veterans to be a part of the lottery, this process would give us access to this information and permission to enter their names”, said Director Farrell.

Veterans can get up-to-date information on the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov calling the office @ (340) 774-8387, or by texting the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387

See Press Release – Vaccination Lottery

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Veterans, their Spouses, Widows, and Caregivers

The VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) is offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to all Veterans, their spouses, widows, and caregivers, in the Virgin Islands regardless of age, income, or VA medical eligibility. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY!

St. Thomas – Nisky Moravian Fellowship Hall

Thursday, April 29th from 9:00am to – 3:00pm

Friday, April 30th from 9:00am to – 12:00pm

St. Croix – Old Nissan Building, Christiansted

Tuesday, May 4^th from 9:00am to – 3:00pm

Wednesday, May 5^th from 9:00am to – 12:00pm

In the interim, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the V.I. Office of Veterans encourages everyone to continue being as safe as possible; wearing of masks when necessary, frequent washing of hands, physical distancing, and limiting unnecessary social activity are some suggestions. “These vaccination events will serve as a contribution to achieving herd immunity”, said Director Patrick Farrell.

Veterans can get up-to-date information on the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov calling the office @ (340) 774-8387, or by texting the word  VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387

See Press Release – COVID-19 Vaccinations for Veterans (April – May 2021)

Official Reopening of St Croix Office of Veterans Affairs

The Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the official re-opening of “The Eryle Alric Rohlsen Veterans Affairs Building” in Estate Richmond.

Eryle Alric Rohlsen (deceased) answered the first call to duty by enlisting in the United States Army in July of 1944 until he was honorably discharged in April of 1946 at the rank of Tech Sergeant. After his separation from the military, Mr. Eryle Rohlsen continued as a servant within his beloved community, the U.S. Virgin Islands. He served in the capacity of Commander of the American Legion District 10 and was also elected as the first, and thus far the only person from the Virgin Islands, to be elected as President of the National Association of State Director of Veterans Affairs.

The staff of “The Eryle Alric Rohlsen Veterans Affairs Building” was relocated in 2016 due to fair wear and tear and the need for renovation to the building. During the initial process, the building suffered additional damages as a direct result of the 2017 Hurricane Season and further delayed the process. “We are happy to be back at our new and improved home office. It is also our pleasure to assist the Bryan/Roach administration in progressively ensuring that the legacy of Virgin Islands heroes/honorees continue to live on appropriately”, said Director Farrell.

NOTE: Due to social distancing recommendations, we will make this ceremony available via social media and the government access channel. We ask that persons with official invitations be the only ones physically in attendance.

For more information please contact us at 340-774-VETS (8387), 340-773-VETS (8387) or info_va@va.vi.gov

See Press Release – Official Reopening of St Croix Office of Veterans Affairs

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by the 45th President of the United States. This legislation designates every March 29^th as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. “With the Virgin Islands having many Vietnam War Veterans, we welcome yet another opportunity to honor them”, said Director Farrell.

The Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs extends an invitation to “all” Veterans to join us for a motorcade in their respective district to help celebrate our Vietnam War Veterans. In an effort to discourage and prevent mass gatherings, per Governor Bryan’s mandates, Veterans will be asked to participate using their own vehicle. Both motorcades will begin at 12pm. Staging information for each district is as follows:

St. Thomas –

Date: Saturday March 27^th 2021

Staging Time and Location: 11am at the Northern end of the 4Winds Shopping Center Parking lot.

St. Croix –

Date: Sunday March 28^th 2021

Staging Time and Location: 11am at the D C Canegata Ballpark

In addition, the eldest Veteran on St Thomas and St. Croix were not able to be presented with their plaques for Veterans Day 2020. We will use this opportunity to present Romeo A. Malone of St. Thomas and Abraham Hewitt of St. Croix with their plaques at their respective motorcade end point.

For more information please contact us at 340-774-VETS (8387), 340-773-VETS (8387) or info_va@va.vi.gov

See Press Release – National Vietnam War Veterans Day Motorcade (March 2021)

VI Office of Veterans Affairs Relocates St Croix Office

The management and staff of the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the relocation of the St Croix office. The office is now relocated back to its original Watergut location. At this location, the office is co-located with the Police Athletic League (PAL) building at 1013 Estate Richmond. Operating hours are effective immediately from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday. In addition to (340) 773-8387, the office can also be reached at (340) 727-8389 or (340) 727-8390.

An official reopening ceremony will be scheduled in the very near future.

Veterans can get up-to-date information on the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov, by calling the office @ (340) 774-8387, or by texting the word  VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387

See Press Release – St Croix Veterans Affairs Office Relocation

The management and staff of the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the initiation of a new communication platform for Virgin Islands Veterans. This platform is another effort to continue working towards Governor Bryan’s quest to bring the VI Government current with today’s technology.

Veterans interested in being kept abreast of all information relating to Veterans are asked to text the word VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387. This text will generate a welcome message from the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs. Subsequently you will be prompted to provide your name, phone number, email address, branch of service and dates of service. After these 2 small steps are completed, there will be no further information required.

“We project that this platform will be the missing link as it relates to our Veterans being notified without missing a beat. We encourage our Veterans to access this platform as soon as possible”, said Director Patrick Farrell.

If there are any further questions, please call our office at one of the following numbers:

(340) 774-VETS (8387) St. Thomas/St. John

(340) 773-VETS (8387) St. Croix.

See Press Release: Press Release – 2021 Veteran Communication Platform

Veterans Opportunity for COVID-19 Vaccination

The VA Caribbean Healthcare System will be offering COVID-19 vaccinations to the following groups of Veterans:

• Veterans eligible for and receiving care at VA who are 55 years of age or older
• Veterans that are Hemodialysis, Chemotherapy, Spinal Cord patients
• Veterans that are Organ Transplant patients
• Homeless Veterans
• Veterans that are First Responders (EMT, Police, Nurses, Firefighters, etc.)

NOTE: Vaccinations will be offered for Veterans both in the St. Croix district and the St. Thomas/St. John district. St. Croix Veterans will have the first opportunity on January 27^th and 28^th 2021. Coordination is currently being finalized for the St. Thomas/St. John district and will be published once completed.

Location                                                                               Time

Old Nissan Building, Christiansted, JAN 27                    9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Old Nissan Building, Christiansted JAN 28                     9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Priority will be given to those veterans who schedule a vaccine appointment by calling (787) 641-4591. Walk-ins will be accepted only if vaccines remain once all appointments have been accommodated. Those, if any, will be available while inventory lasts. Veterans taking the vaccine must be available to receive their second dose in 28 days to complete the vaccination.

Veterans can get up-to-date information on the Office of Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.vi.gov calling the office @ (340) 774-8387, or by texting the word  VIVets (no spaces) to 888-652-8387

See Press Release: Press Release – COVID-19 Vaccinations for Veterans

6 July 2020

Office of the Governor and VI Office of Veterans Affairs to Remember Fallen Veterans

The Office of the Governor and the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs will host a Flag Presentation Ceremony for Virgin Islands Veterans who passed during the COVID-19 shutdown earlier this year.

Unfortunately, there were family members not able to receive ceremonial flag presentations after the passing of their loved ones because of the current global pandemic. Nationally, all ceremonial flag presentations were paused to safeguard the lives of Veterans and their families. Recently, with measure being put in place such as the “No Mask, No Service” mandate, we are now able to go forward with the normal flag presentations. Governor Bryan and Director Farrell will be on hand to make flag presentations to next-of-kin of the identified fallen Veterans.

Retroactive Ceremonial Flag Presentations will take place as follows:

• Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 9:00am at the Verne I. Richards Memorial Park ~ Frederiksted, St. Croix

• Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 9:00am at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Veterans Memorial Park ~ St. Thomas

Family Members have been notified of this ceremony. Anyone wishing to attend either ceremony is asked to please follow all safety measure currently in place.

For more information please reach out to the VI Office of Veterans Affairs using one of the following means of communication:

Phone: (340) 774-8387 / (340) 773-8387, info_va@va.vi.gov, or https://veterans.vi.gov

See Press Release: Press Release – Retroactive Ceremonial Flag Presentation

22 June 2020

First Bank to Announce Initiative for Veterans

First Bank has made it known to the Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands and the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs that they are launching a new initiative for Veterans in the territory.

On Tuesday June 23^rd, 2020 Mr. José González, VP & Sales Manager and Mrs. Kareema Dover-Hendricks, Insurance Agent at FirstBank Plaza will make the announcement on “The Veterans Voice”. The Veterans Voice is a one-hour radio call in talk show hosted by the director of the Office of Veterans Affairs Patrick Farrell. The Veterans Voice is aired on FM 107.9 every Tuesday evening from 7-8pm.

“Having insight on the upcoming announcement, I am very happy that First Bank is taking this step to assist our Veterans. Our Veterans deserve every bit of it. On the mainland, these opportunities come a dime-a-dozen for Veterans. I don’t usually speak for others, but I know I will be well in line when I say our Veterans will embrace this opportunity”, said Director Farrell.

For more information please reach out to the VI Office of Veterans Affairs using one of the following means of communication:

Phone: (340) 774-8387 / (340) 773-8387, info_va@va.vi.gov, or https://veterans.vi.gov

See Press Release: Press Release – First Bank Initiative for Veterans

5 June 2020

Clarification of Statement Made by the Honorable Senator Donna Frett-Gregory

The Honorable Senator Donna Frett-Gregory on June 5, 2020, made a statement as part of the finance committee meeting which requires immediate clarification.

After asking for a point of personal privilege the senator stated “I think it’s time that we require the leader, Mr. Patrick Farrell of the Veterans Affair, to establish a policy to address the Veterans that have to travel off-island”. Senator Frett Gregory went on to say, “If the policies are established then we can look at if the cost to travel to Puerto Rico is fifty dollars and the cost to travel to the mainland is ah hundred then we give them the difference. But we need to establish what that policy is, I think that’s missing; and we had that conversation with him before”. The senator further went on to say “It’s time that we require him to establish that policy so we can know exactly what it is cause I don’t want for anyone to believe that any of us in this body is not in support of the Veterans. Once we put the respective policies in place then the Veterans would be clear on what you can and cannot do”, said Senator Frett-Gregory.

Senator Frett Gregory is correct about having a prior conversation on this matter.  The recommendations given by Senator Frett-Gregory and other Senators to create a policy were accepted. This would be a policy that would financially assist eligible Veterans who elect to travel to their VA Medical facility of choice for medical care. This policy is available on the website of our agency, https://veterans.vi.gov. I also host a weekly radio show which provides this type of information to our Veterans. If I may add, Senator Thomas and Senator Hodge, who are Veterans themselves, are aware of this policy. Important to note, Veterans are reimbursed 100% of what they pay for their plane ticket by the VI Office of Veterans Affairs when traveling for medical appointments to the VA Med Center in San Juan.

I was virtually present in the meeting when it was stated that the Office of Veterans Affairs did not have a policy in place for the matter at hand. It was very disappointing that I was not allowed to respond and publicly share the availability of this policy. I find that to be very unfair. As professionals we must find a better way to deal with each other versus tearing down each other’s character; we must cease from this type of behavior, said Director Farrell.

For more information please reach out to the VI Office of Veterans Affairs at (340) 774-8387 or (340) 773-8387.

See Press Release: Press Release – Response to Senator Gregory