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Celeste Lawrence, Press Secretary
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Governor John deJongh and Lt. Governor Gregory R. Francis offer condolences on death of VI National Guardsmen
Gov. John deJongh and Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis, in a joint statement this afternoon expressed great sadness and profound sorrow at having received military confirmation of the death of two Virgin Islands National Guardsmen in the theater of war in Iraq.
Virgin Islands guardsmen Lt. Colonel David Canegata, III and Staff Sergeant Floyd Lake were among the military personnel killed on the afternoon of January 20th when their Blackhawk helicopter was involved in a mishap. Both deJongh and Francis offered condolences on behalf of a grateful Virgin Islands community. "The death of these two Virgin Islands soldiers is a reminder that even as we do our work here, our men and women in uniform who have served and are now serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan are putting their lives on the line for our country and for the freedoms we hold so dear," deJongh said Wednesday.
The Governor and Lt. Governor called on all Virgin Islanders to pray for the families of the fallen soldiers who he encouraged to "keep their faith in God and on the future." We are a supportive and loving community, and as such, "we will become the shoulder to lean on in the trying days ahead."
They pointed out that for several years since the war in Iraq began, we have watched troops from the Virgin Islands be deployed to the war zone and we have welcomed them back jubilantly on their return. "With these first VING casualties, we must also turn out in great numbers and as a united community to provide that same hero's welcome for two soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice."
Francis, who served with both men in the Virgin Islands National Guard, said he felt a deep sense of personal loss when hearing of the death of his former colleagues and friends. "We served together and worked full-time in the National Guard. The Guard is a close-knitted family and the loss of any member is extremely difficult to take."
"Our prayer today is that the soothing hands of the Almighty bring comfort and strength to Lt. Colonel Canegata's wife, Cheynette, their children and extended family and to Staff Sergeant Lake's wife, Denise, and their children and family during these dark days of sorrow and bereavement. Now, more than ever, they need our prayers," the joint statement continued.
The territory's two highest elected officials also called for the community to remember the three active duty military personnel from the Virgin Islands who also made the ultimate sacrifice. "We remember Army Specialist Jose Emmanuel Rosario of St. Croix, Marine Lance Corporal Shane Goldman, Army Staff Sergeant Kendall Thomas of St. Thomas and Private First Class Jason Lynch among those who have been killed during the ongoing war," the joint statement concluded.
