USVI rolls out license plates honoring female military veterans

Female military veterans across the U.S. Virgin Islands can now apply for specially designed license plates celebrating their service in the armed forces. The V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs has made the plates available at its offices on St. Croix and in the St. Thomas/St. John District.

Each plate displays a silhouette of a female service member alongside the flags of the United States and the Virgin Islands, along with the inscription "We Served With Honor." The design aims to give public recognition to women who have served their country.

Commander Hillis Benjamin and retired Brigadier General Deborah Howell received the first two plates. Benjamin, who holds the distinction of being the first woman to lead American Legion District No. 10 in the Virgin Islands, was issued plate 1001 for the St. Thomas/St. John District. Howell, the first female Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands National Guard, received plate 2001 on St. Croix.

To qualify, women veterans must provide either a DD Form 214 (documenting discharge from active military service) or an NGB Form 22 (documenting separation from the National Guard) to the Office of Veterans Affairs. Those who have not already filed either document with the agency must bring it when applying. Applicants also need to present their vehicle registration.

Once the Office of Veterans Affairs confirms eligibility, the plates are issued at no cost. Applicants remain responsible for any fees charged by the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the vehicle registration itself.

Patrick D. Farrell, Director of the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs, said the plates give women veterans' service "a visible place on our roads." The territory is believed to be the first American territory to create a veterans' license plate specifically designed for women, the Office of Veterans Affairs stated.

Women veterans seeking the plates or additional details can reach the St. Thomas/St. John District office at (340) 774-8387 or the St. Croix office at (340) 773-8387.