America's childhood friend

Statia's historic contribution

thumb: steustatiusamericaboy

virginvoices.com staff

Every November St. Eustatius celebrates the time a Dutch commander saluted an American brig, making “Statia” the first government to recognize American Independence.

U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was so pleased about that first salute, he sent a plaque thanking Statians for being "America's childhood friend."

Islanders later named the airstrip The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Airport.

For information about St. Eustatius clickhere

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