On March 17, 1917 the U.S. government paid Denmark $25 million in gold for the then Danish West Indies, which included St Thomas, St Croix and St John.

The Pearl B. Larson school quadrille dancers entertained the crowds

On St Croix, the Friends of Denmark again hosted the annual Transfer Day ceremony at the Lawaetz Family Museum in Frederiksted.

Eulalie R. Rivera, who witnessed the transfer on St Croix when she was 9-years-old, told the gathering what she recalled of that day.

"I was there when they took down the flag," Rivera said. "I remember a man o' war ship was in the harbor. I was nine years old, I remember it well."

"All the children were saying we're going to be rich 'cause the Americans were rich. We would have gold and silver just like the Americans. We waved the American flags they gave us."

U.S. Virgin Islands Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards spoke about the territories ties with Denmark, "We are kindred spirits culturally and historically. We have more in common than not."

Richards said the vestiges of the Danish era are still evident on St. Croix today, mentioning the restoration of the Old Danish School, the Danish/V.I. apprentice program, the Danish Archival project, and other musical and cultural exchange programs between the territory and Denmark.

Keynote speaker Dr. Olaf "Bronco" Hendricks, a psychiatrist and saxophone player, displayed indomitable storytelling skills as he wove the tale of his Danish and African roots, his perceptions towards Danes and his ultimate acceptance of them into his family.

A native Crucian, Hendricks has visited Denmark several times as a member of the quelbe band Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights. His speech was peppered with colloquialisms as he frequently slipped into "raw Crucian" to emphasize a point much to the delight of the audience.

Concluding the wild ride of his address that took the listeners back and forth through points in history, Hendricks left the audience with a directive: "Research your family. Know your history. There is a story in all of us. One you need to know."

On St. Thomas, a more formal ceremony was taking place at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall in Charlotte Amalie.

The flag of the Kingdom of Denmark was lowered by a local Junior Reserve Officers' Training Command and presented to Danish Ambassador Torben Getterman. The U.S. Stars and Stripes were raised.

Former Ambassador to Denmark Terence A. Todman was the first speaker. "The Danes have a closer attachment to the Virgin Islands now, than in colonial times because we are equals, no longer relating as 'master to slave' in our dealings," Todman said.

Todman mentioned the benefits of the current, "joint committee" organized between the USVI and Denmark. He said committee was "formed to offer training, rehabilitation, and rebuilding" and "we must take advantage of what has been made available."

Todman also said that VI citizens would not truly be first-class citizens until residents have the right to vote for President of the United States.

An ancient Saman tree donimated the landscape at the Transfer ceremonies

Consul General Soren Blak highlighted the collaborative accomplishments of his office and the office of Governor Charles Turnbull. Included in his remarks were cultural and athletic exchanges and an historical data base.

Governor Turnbull announced he will designate, by executive order, the establishment of a Virgin Islands Centennial Commission to prepare for 2017 Transfer Day Centennial.

The Governor mirrored Todman's remarks saying, "Virgin Islanders have less than full participation in the democratic process" because they are not permitted to vote for president.

Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen said, "We must be deliberate visionaries for the future," and talked about the challenges the VI faces including, "limited landscapes and natural resources and continued economic development."

VI Senate President Lorraine Berry announced a May 5 forum to bring about "much needed political reform by exploring current issues, including the native rights of all Virgin Islanders."

Keynote speaker for the event, Ambassador Torben Getterman, said his grandfather came to the Virgin Islands over one hundred years ago, and he felt he had "come full circle to be here today in his present capacity."

Getterman emphasized the need for cultural awareness and sensitivity in the area of communications. The Ambassador pointed out that this is more important than ever, "since technology has broken down the world's geographical boundaries."

Two Quadrille dance troops performed during the ceremony.

Adding a festive touch to the day's events were The St. Thomas Heritage Dancers and The Lockhart Elementary Quadrille Dancers. Following the ceremony, the crowd gathered on the legislative building lawn for a buffet picnic.