Ms. Destinee Cline, a grade four student at the Ivan Dawson Primary School will hoist the Commonwealth Flag on Monday, March 14.

The Fly-a-Flag committee of the Deputy Governor’s Office is partnering with the Ivan Dawson Primary School to observe Commonwealth Day this year and the raising of the flag will be a symbol of unity and public expression of the Territory’s commitment to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Flag will also be flown at the Central Administration Building.

Destinee will be among Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Lord Mayors; sea, army and air cadets; charities and community groups, and many others around the world who will join to raise more than 850 Commonwealth Flags on Commonwealth Day in a shared celebration of a family of nations that encompasses the globe.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. John S. Duncan, OBE; Minister for Education and Culture Honourable, Myron V. Walwyn; Representative for the Second District, Honourable Melvin Turnbull; Principal of the Ivan Dawson Primary School, Mr. Theodore John; school officials, students and senior public officers will be in attendance at the ceremony.

Co-chair of the Fly-a-Flag for the Commonwealth Steering committee, Mr. Vincent Wheatley said he is excited to be partnering with the Ministry of Education and Culture in joining with the many other hundreds of organisations across the Commonwealth and the globe in raising the Commonwealth Flag.

Mr. Wheatley added, “I want to thank Principal John and the Ivan Dawson Parents and Teachers Association for agreeing to host the event this year. The Virgin Islands benefit significantly from the Commonwealth and I hope to see even greater benefits in the future.”

The Fly-a-Flag for the Commonwealth initiative, now in its third year, is catching the imagination of thousands of participants from all walks of life, inspiring them to join with others throughout the Commonwealth.

As a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, it enables participants to show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with fellow Commonwealth citizens around the world.

The Government of the Virgin Islands under the auspices of the Office of the Deputy Governor continues to spearhead the local celebration.  All are invited to support the event on Monday, March 14 at 9:30 a.m. The day is also a public holiday.

Commonwealth Day 2016 will be observed under the theme, “An Inclusive Commonwealth”.