USVI Declares September Community Awareness Month
United States Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has issued a series of proclamations designating September as a month of awareness, preparedness, and cultural heritage. The initiatives highlight disaster readiness, public health, education, and regional Caribbean solidarity during the peak of the hurricane season.
Neighboring United States Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has issued an extensive series of proclamations designating September as a dedicated month for community awareness, emergency preparedness, education, and cultural recognition across the territory. Given the heightened vulnerabilities during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, public safety and disaster readiness stand at the forefront of the observances.
Proclaiming September as National Preparedness Month, Governor Bryan emphasized that readiness is a shared responsibility and urged residents, families, and businesses to take practical steps to protect lives and property—a message that closely aligns with ongoing preparedness efforts throughout the Virgin Islands archipelago.
Additional safety initiatives include Child Passenger Safety Week, scheduled for Sept. 20 to 26, alongside National Seat Check Saturday. The proclamations also strongly celebrate Caribbean identity and shared historical legacy. Among the notable observances, Sept. 7 has been designated as West Indies Solidarity Day, recognizing the countless individuals from across the wider Caribbean who have settled in the territory and enriched its social and economic fabric.
Furthermore, Sept. 27 will mark Maroon Commemorative Day, honoring the resilient ancestors who fought against enslavement on St. Croix, while the territory also observes the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Education, family welfare, and health priorities form another central pillar of the month's agenda.
The governor proclaimed September as Attendance Awareness Month to highlight the crucial role of daily classroom participation in long-term student success. Community ties will be recognized on National Grandparents' Day on Sept. 6 and Gold Star Mother's and Families Day on Sept. 27, while Sept. 11 will be marked as Patriot Day in solemn remembrance of the lives lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks, including seven natives of St.
Health campaigns throughout September will focus on critical public health issues, including National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Prostate and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and World Heart Day on Sept. 29. Responsible Gaming Education Month and Labor and Management Awareness Month were also proclaimed to encourage balanced living and economic cooperation.
Governor Bryan noted that the initiatives serve as a vital reminder that building stronger, resilient island communities requires collective action, historical preservation, and mutual care across all sectors of society.
Primary source: St Thomas Source