Some tend to forget that young men and women from the United States Virgin Islands have served their county for generations and many have fallen during active duty.  Like their fellow brethren, they deserve to be remembered. Freedom isn't free.  They paid the price for us.  At Love City Car Ferries, Inc. we humbly and thankfully remember! 

Click below to learn more.

HONOR THE FALLEN

What do you know about the real history of St. Patrick's Day?  I know very little.  The day was always special to me because my brother was born on St. Patrick's Day, so we always celebrated.  I wanted to find more info so I looked around and found the link below.  Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!  But we will be remiss, if we didn't give a special shout out to our Vic Sea Miles Club Customers.  Thank you for connecting with us! For today February, 14, 2014 through tomorrow February 15, 2014, show your Vic Sea Miles Club card and receive $10.00 off your round trip car ferry ride on board the M/V Capt. Vic.

Here is a story we found on the origins of Valentine's Day.  Hope you find it as interesting as we did.  Enjoy your day with your loved ones and treat them special today and everyday!


Story of St. Valentine 

"The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian Martyr.   The emperor was Claudius II.   The Christian was Valentinus.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians.   But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ; not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs.   He was arrested and imprisoned.

During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a remarkable thing happened.   Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons.   She had been blind since birth.   Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind.   Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her.   He described the world of nature to her.   He taught her arithmetic and told her about God.  She saw the world through his eyes, trusted his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia asked one day.

"Yes, my child, He hears each one."

"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night?  I pray that I might see.   I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"

"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said.

"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe! I do!"  She knelt and grasped his hand.

They sat quietly together, each praying.   Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell.   Radiant, Julia screamed, "Valentinus, I can see!  I can see!"

"Praise be to God!"  Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.

On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God.   He signed it, "From your Valentine."  His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory.   He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome.   It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave.   Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.   On each February 14, Saint Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world."



https://www.olrl.org/lives/valentine.shtml

Well, why not spend Valentine's Day in Love City, St. John, Virgin Islands? There are so many reasons why you should. Here are just a few:  

• St. John is one of the smaller US Virgin Islands.  Because of its protected landscape, 2/3 of which belongs to the National Park, it is very much undeveloped. It still has a uniquely small island charm.
  
• St. John's Trunk Bay Beach has been ranked by the Travel Channel as one of the best in the world for its child friendliness, quality of sand, and clear waters.  In general, the beaches of St. John are all beautiful and well maintained.
• St. John has world renowned luxury resorts like Caneel Bay and it also boasts The Westin Resort of St. John which ranks as one of the best family resorts.  
• You can literally say, you spent Valentine's Day in Love City, enjoying the friendly charm of the island's residents.
• St. John has so many adventurous things to do; yet, you won't feel rushed or hurried.  You can still relax, relate, release and spend quality time with your loved one. 

Happy Black History Month to you!  Black History Month was started due to the efforts of Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard University Ph.D.  After graduating from Harvard in 1912, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915.  He also, founded the Journal of Negro History in 1916 and the Negro Bulletin in 1937.  Black History Month is Woodson's legacy.  There are great legends of all racial persuasions but this month Americans celebrate those of African American descent.  

In order to localize our Black History Month celebrations, this month, we will bring to you Virgin Island Legends.  We will specifically try to find little known individuals, particularly from the island of St. John, after all our company is named after the nick name of this small jewel.  As you enjoy Black History Month remember that we are all one people, one humanity, one blood and that the gains of people of African American would not have been realized without the assistance of all.

Stay tuned for VI Legends Series throughout the month of February. The Series will be updated on our Facebook Page.

Source:  http://inventors.about.com/od/blackinventors/a/BlackHistoryMonth.htm
Image Source: 
 NAACP.ORG

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2014

As we reflect on the contributions of this great man, it is easy to recall his famous "I Have A Dream" speech and to recall how his life directly contributed to the freedoms many enjoy today.  He and many others surrendered their lives for us.  How do we repay them?  We can't. What we can do is to live our lives in harmony with all humanity through the power of forgiveness.

Little kids intuitively know to forgive.  To test this hypothesis, I asked my kids why they think it is necessary to forgive others of wrongdoing.  What follows is a synopsis of this conversation: 

1. "People are human everybody makes mistakes." When I asked my kids to elaborate they said "people go through trials and if it is trial one and they make a mistake and you forgive them, they won't have to go through trial two."

2. "Forgive them because, if you don't, you are really only hurting yourself" I didn't need any explanation from them for this one.  It does us more personal harm when we don't forgive others.  Carrying a grudge is a heavy burden. Even if they don't say sorry, still forgive them.

3.  "God says to forgive." When you forgive, the reconciliation process can begin.

If kids stay pure and innocent, they will grow as adults to live in harmony with all humanity. The problem is that they learn to hate and the germ of hatred is the decision not to forgive.

This MLK Day, let us embrace the spirit of  a child and the teachings of the great Martin Luther King, Jr and forgive. 

Happy MLK Day 2014 from your friends at Love City Car Ferries, Inc.

Christmas is in a day or two; as the year quickly comes to a close this is our wish for you.   We wish that you find the Truth and that it brings with it love, joy, peace, and good fortune.  We wish that your purpose be revealed and fulfilled.  We wish that your friends and family continually see the value in you as a human being and that they acknowledge your presence daily.  We wish that you grow in wisdom, understanding, and compassion.  We wish you good health and a sound mind.  We wish all the best to you and yours.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

Love City Car Ferries, Inc. Management and Staff

St. John, Virgin Islands, U.S. --Llewellyn "Big Lew" Sewer, father of love City Car Ferries' owner, was a Veteran.  As a member of the Armed Forces, he served his family, his people, and his Country well. In addition, as radio disk jockey known as "Trucker Man" he gave the islands the beautiful nicknames of "Love City" for St. John, St. Thomas- "Rock City", St. Croix- "Twin City" and Tortola-"Chocolate City." Under his Trucker Man Label, he produced Eddie and the Movements and brought talent like the Temptations to the VI.   In remembrance of this great hero and in honor of all Veterans, Love City Car Ferries, Inc. remembers Veteran's Day 2013 with a free event.

On Monday, November 11, 2013, all Veterans living in or visiting the United States Virgin Islands are hereby granted a free ride on board the M/V Capt. Vic.  The M/V Capt. Vic provides car ferry service between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John.  If you are a Veteran, you would just need to present your Government issued ID that proclaims this status, in order to take advantage of this benefit.  We look forward to seeing you on board the M/V Capt. Vic.  For more information on departure times check out our home page.

If you knew Big Lew, we would love to hear your stories about him.  Just comment below, call us, or tell us when you arrive on board the M/V Capt. Vic.

Today in the Virgin Islands we celebrate Liberty Day, otherwise known as Bull and Bread Day in honor of David Hamilton Jackon, a labor leader, a civil rights activist and a friend to his people.

David Hamilton Jackson was born in the then Danish West Indies on the island of St. Croix on September 28, 1884.  He was raised by his parents who were both teachers.  He earned his law degree and was also a teacher and bookkeeper.  He used his talents to defend the conditions under which the people of the Virgin Islands lived.  Known as the "Black Moses" by locals, he advocated for them throughout his life.  Some of his most salient accomplishments were:

• Organized the first labor union on St. Croix with the help of Ralph Bough,
• Traveled to Denmark to petition for the Freedom of the Press and as a result published The Herald, the first free press publication of the Danish West Indies,
• Supported the transfer of the islands from Danish Colonial rule to the United States,
• Advocated for citizenship for locals in the US Capitol,
• Served in the Colonial Council of St. Croix from 1923-1926,
• Assisted with the 1936 Organic Act which gave the territory some modicum of self government, 
• Served in the Municipal Council of St. Croix in 1941 and 1946,
• Served as Judge of the Municipal Court from 1931-1941,
• First Chairman of the St. Croix School Board.

The list of his accomplishments are endless.  Ultimately he fought tirelessly for the rights of the people of these territories both under Danish Colonial rule and as a territory of the United States.

Annually Virgin Islanders celebrate this great man who died on May 30, 1946. This year, a major celebration was held in Grove Place St. Croix where the traditional Bull and Bread, roast beef and pumpernickel bread, were served.  
Virgin Islander continue to remember him as a local hero and maintain that November 1st is an official VI Government holiday.

Yesterday I woke up and realized that life is just passing me by and the only thing I seem to be doing is working. My eldest daughter is grown.  The others seem to be growing like weeds.  And I wonder, where is life going in such a hurry.  Are you feeling the same way?  

The problem is the lack of time to get away. This summer we decided to just stay in a local hotel and enjoy ourselves.  Our girls played a lot, roamed about the property, enjoyed the swimming pool, etc. etc.  I enjoyed it because I didn't have to cook or clean.  I slept and relaxed.

I found that there is a term for what we did.  It is called a staycation.  A staycation is a vacation that is within driving distance of your home. For us in the Virgin Islands, a staycation can also mean something within boating distance. 

If you live on St. Thomas, when was the last time you visited St. John? Have you explored all of St. John's beaches?  It is so easy to do.  Just pile your suitcases in the car along with your loved ones and drive on board the M/V Capt. Vic. Reservations, schedules, and fares, are right at your finger tips. There are so many new things to see in beautiful Love City.  Holidays and getaways don't always mean long trips.  If you live on St. John, the same is true for you.  There is so much fun to be had on the big island of St. Thomas.

No one really knows the meaning of life but we do know that life is meant to be lived with meaning.  The experiences we enjoy lend meaning to our lives. Let us embrace life.  Vacations aren't everything, especially if time and resources are lacking.  Staycations can help you to feel as though life is slowing down a bit for you to catch up and enjoy your family, friends, and your beautiful home in the United States Virgin Islands.

They are the men in our lives, gentlemen of quality.  They love us, care for us, provide for us, comfort us, discipline us, pray with us and the list goes on......our Fathers. 

Happy Father's Day 2013 from your friends at Love City Car Ferries, Inc.  We know you have an awesome responsibility and we encourage you to persevere.  Your leadership is critical in the lives of your children.  Blessings to you and your family.  Continue pressing on.