>>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO LIVE COVERAGE OF THE CHRISTIAN BURIAL SERVICE OF THE FIFTH ELECTED GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER I AM YOUR HOST THIS MORNING MY NAME IS AMOS CARTY JR. AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS THE CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL TO GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER AND WE ARE HERE LIVE AT THE HISTORIC ST. PETER AND PAUL CATHEDRAL.

AND I´M JOINED BY MY COHOST .

>> GOOD MORNING, I´M LESLIE CARTER I SERVED AS AN ADMINISTRATOR UNDER GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER, IT´S AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH AMOS AND WITH ALL OF YOU AT THIS CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF GOVERNOR ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER.

>> IT´S GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU, AND THIS MORNING, I CAN´T HELP BUT THINK AT THIS HISTORIC PLACE, THIS HISTORIC EVENT, THE PASSING OF A GREAT LEGACY.

A LEGACY NOT ONLY OF GOVERNOR, A LEGACY OF A GREAT MAN.

>> A GREAT MAN INDEED.

AND REALLY, THAT´S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR THIS MORNING, THE MAN, HE WAS MANY THINGS.

HE HAD MANY HATS, RIGHT, AND TODAY IS HIS FIRST AND FOREMOST ABOUT THE MAN.

>> EXACTLY.

AND OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS AND EVEN DAYS, I´VE HAD SO MANY MEMORIES OF GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER AS TO THE MAN THAT HE WAS , CERTAINLY A MAN OF EXCELLENCE , WHETHER IT BE IN THE WAY THAT HE CARRIED HIMSELF, HIS EXPECTATIONS , HE WAS A MAN OF EXCELLENCE AND HE WANTED TO SEE THAT NOT JUST THE ADMINISTRATION BUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS A WHOLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HE TALKED THE TALK AND WALKED THE WALK.

AND THAT´S WHAT HE EXPECTED OF ALL OF US.

THE YOUNGEST PEOPLE IN THE CABINET, TO WHATEVER PART OF THE COMMUNITY WE CAME FROM, WHATEVER OUR ROLES WERE, HE EXPECTED EXCELLENT AND HE WANTED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS TERRITORY .

>> AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS ALWAYS STRUCK ME IS THAT IN HIS ADMINISTRATION, THERE WAS A LOT OF YOUNG VIRGIN ISLANDERS , A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO IN THEIR YOUTH, WHEN I BECAME HIS COUNSEL, I WAS BARELY 31 YEARS OLD AND I BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE EVEN YOUNGER THAN THAT WHEN YOU WERE ADMINISTRATOR.

>> I WAS 25 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME.

AND FEMALES, ON TOP OF THAT, YEAH, AND I REMEMBER THERE WAS A BIT OF SHOCK ABOUT THAT AT THE TIME.

JUST THE COMBINATION OF THOSE TWO THINGS, MAINLY THE AGE, RIGHT, HE BELIEVED IN THE YOUTH, HE BELIEVED IN ME, AND I BELIEVE EVERYONE THAT HE BROUGHT INTO HIS CABINET, I UP AND WE CONSIDERED THE JOB.

>> AND THAT´S WHAT HE WANTED.

HE CLEARLY WAS SENDING A MESSAGE , HE NOT JUST TALK THE TALK BUT WALKED THE WALK.

GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER WAS TOUGH.

>> HE DID HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE .

SOMETIMES WE JOKE ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT , FRIDAY WAS HIS DAY TO COME OVER AND ON FRIDAY .

IT WAS REALLY A GIFT FOR SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF TO WORK WITH SOMEONE LIKE GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER, TO GAIN THAT EXPERIENCE , THE CONFIDENCE THAT HE INSTILLED IN US, YOU KNOW, I MEAN HE GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY THAT I DON´T KNOW , I WOULDN´T HAVE HAD ANYWHERE ELSE AND AT SUCH A TIME IN MY LIFE .

HE WAS INCREDIBLE.

>> IT´S QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> YOU TRUSTED YOU TO BE AN ADMINISTRATOR TO ONE OF THEIR IMPORTANT TOWNS.

THERE WERE SO MANY LESSONS I LEARNED FROM GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER, AND IN LATER YEARS, AND IN RECENT YEARS, I WOULD CALL HIM FOR HIS BIRTHDAY BECAUSE HE WAS BORN IN THE SAME YEAR AS MY LATE FATHER, MY FATHER WAS APRIL 30th, GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER WAS MAY 13th, AND I WOULD CALL HIM FOR HIS BIRTHDAY GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER AND I WOULD ALWAYS END THE CONVERSATION BY SAYING GOVERNOR, I AM THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU PROVIDED TO ME.

A YOUNG MAN, TO BE YOUR CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL BECAUSE TRULY WORKING WITH GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER I LEARNED MANY THINGS, I SAW MANY THINGS, I´VE MET MANY PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES AND THE LESSONS I LEARNED FROM HIM WHILE I SERVE WITH HIM, HAS GONE WITH ME UP UNTIL TODAY .

>> SAME WITH ME.

JUST ABOUT EVERY FRIDAY I TALKED ABOUT HIM COMING OVER ON FRIDAYS, AND EVERY CHANCE THAT I HAD TO SIT WITH THEM, I ALWAYS LEARNED SOME VALUABLE LESSON THAT I HAVE TAKEN WITH ME.

THINGS ABOUT HUMAN NATURE AS YOU GO THROUGH LIFE .

I REMEMBER ONE THING THAT HE SAID TO ME, I HAD A WHOLE LIST OF PROJECTS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THE DISTRICT, AND HE SAID, THIS IS WONDERFUL, THIS IS GOOD, GREAT JOB AND HE SAID YOU CAN HAVE 100 GOOD IDEAS AND AND , WHERE ARE YOU.

I ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT.

>> AND HE TOOK HIS JOB SERIOUSLY.

HE TOOK HIS JOB AS GOVERNOR SERIOUSLY.

I REMEMBER WHEN WE WOULD GET LEGISLATION FROM THE LEGISLATURE, WE BE WORKING THROUGH PREPARING HIS MESSAGE HE WOULD SAY AMOS, THE MESSAGE THAT WE WRITE IS NOT JUST FOR THE LEGISLATURE, BUT IT´S FOR THE ANNALS OF VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY.

WE HAD TO BE CONCISE BUT YET PRECISE, AND THOSE ARE LESSONS I LEARNED AND I SAID TO THE GOVERNOR, WE NEED TO MAKE THIS PERFECT AND HE SAID NO, AMOS, DON´T LET THE PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD .

IT DOESN´T HAVE TO BE PERFECT, IT JUST HAS TO BE GOOD.

AND OFTENTIMES, WHEN I REFLECT ON THAT, SOMETIMES WE STRIVE TO BE PERFECT AND LUCITE IN ORDER TO BE GOOD.

HE EVEN EXCEEDED GOOD.

>> OH YES, HE WAS A VERY GENEROUS MAN, WITH HIS TIME, WHATEVER IT WAS , VERY GENEROUS.

AND HE WAS A DOCTOR AS WE ALL KNOW, AND HE GAVE OF HIMSELF IN THAT WAY, SO VERY OFTEN, I CAN´T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES WE BE DRIVING ALONG IN THE MOTORCADE OR GOING TO LOOK AT SOMETHING , IF SOMEBODY HAD AN ISSUE, MEDICALLY, HE WOULD STOP EVERYTHING.

I REMEMBER ONE TIME WE PULLED OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS A TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THIS GENTLEMAN, OLDER MAN, WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK OR WHATEVER WAS, GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER ATTENDED TO THAT MAN AND WAS IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK WITH HIM AND RUSHED HIM TO THE HOSPITAL AND SAVED HIS LIFE .

>> THAT WAS GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER.

AND HE WOULD ALWAYS TELL US, YES, I´M GOVERNOR, BUT I´M FIRST AND FOREMOST A DOCTOR.

AND HE NEVER FORGOT THAT.

HE ALWAYS REMINDED US OF THAT.

TO YOUR STORY, I REMEMBER HIM ENTERING SOME OF THE PROMINENT PHYSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY TODAY, WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG AND STARTING OUT, MAKING SURE THEY COULD PAY THEIR FEES FOR THEIR MEDICAL BOARDS OR THEIR LICENSING, BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THIS WAS THE FUTURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE.

>> BEFORE OF COURSE HE WAS GOVERNOR, RIGHT, HE WAS A DOCTOR , BUT NOT ONLY A DOCTOR, I MEAN LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS HE HAD DONE IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR.

>> I´M GLAD YOU RAISE THAT POINT BECAUSE GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER WAS A PRACTICING PHYSICIAN AND WASHINGTON, D.C., AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY, MY ALMA MATER, WHICH IT DOES ME PROUD TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE SUCH A PROMINENT VIRGIN ISLANDERS THAT WAS AT HOWARD AND HE WAS RECRUITED BACK TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BY GOVERNOR KING AND WHEN GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER BECAME THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH UNDER GOVERNOR KING, WE OF , GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER MADE IT HIS BUSINESS TO WALK THE HALLS OF CONGRESS ALONG WITH GOVERNOR KING TO BE ABLE TO SECURE FUNDING TO NOW HAVE THE CONSTRUCTION, THE MEDICAL CENTER ON ST. CROIX AND THE GOVERNOR ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER MEDICAL CENTER, THAT´S TESTAMENT I BELIEVE, A LIVING TESTAMENT TO THE DRIVE OF GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER FOR EXCELLENCE, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN THE HOSPITAL WAS BEING BUILT, I DO REMEMBER THAT.

IT WAS VERY EXCITING THAT WE WERE GETTING THE STATE OF THE ART HOSPITAL ON OUR ISLAND, YOU KNOW.

AND IT WASN´T UNTIL SPEAKING WITH YOU EARLIER, THAT I THAT HE WAS COMMISSIONER AT THAT TIME.

WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> AND THOSE FACILITIES STILL STAND TODAY, AND THEY´VE GONE THROUGH THE TEST OF TIME, AND PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER THE FIRST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WAS PERFORMED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS UNDER GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER, AND HE BROUGHT IN A WORLD-RENOWNED SURGEON ALSO FROM HOWARD UNIVERSITY AND THEY PERFORMED THAT RIGHT HERE IN ST. THOMAS.

>> AMAZING.

REALLY A TRAILBLAZER , I USED TO CALL HIM A RENAISSANCE MAN.

AND THAT´S WHO HE WAS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS ALWAYS STRUCK ME AS AS WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, HIS STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE AND EVERY YEAR DURING HIS TIME AS GOVERNOR, HE WOULD HAVE THIS SPECIAL AWARD CEREMONY , THE WORDS AWARDS IN EXCELLENCE, HE WOULD HONOR VIRGIN ISLANDERS WHEN THEY ACHIEVED EXCELLENCE WHETHER IT BE ARTS OR EDUCATION, YOU NAME IT, IT WOULD BE A FORMAL EVENT AND AGAIN, THAT WAS THE GOVERNOR´S WAY OF SAYING, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS NOT ONLY AN EXCELLENT PLACE BUT WE HAVE EXCELLENCE AMONGST OUR PEOPLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO HIM.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE SERVICE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN BEHIND US.

AND I´M SURE WE ARE GOING TO SEE A STREAM OF DIGNITARIES, PEOPLE WHO SERVED WITH GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER.

BUT ALSO MANY AVERAGE VIRGIN TO HIM.

IT WAS WELL DESERVED.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THE GOVERNOR, THE DOCTOR, THE MAN .

>> AND A MAN OF HIS FAMILY.

HE LOVED HIS WIFE FORMER FIRST LADY, HIS CHILDREN , HE WAS PROUD OF HIS CHILDREN AND THEY CERTAINLY HAD A LOT TO LIVE UP TO HER FATHER.

>> THEY DID, AND AND I KNOW TWO OF HIS CHILDREN ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, A FAMILY CONNECTION AND I CAN ATTEST TO THE LOVE BETWEEN FATHER AND CHILDREN.

>> DEFINITELY.

>> AND THEY TOO, ARE OUTSTANDING PEOPLE .

>> HE WOULDN´T HAVE DEMANDED ANY LESS.

AS A GOVERNOR OR A FATHER, HE WOULD HAVE DEMANDED NO LESS.

HE HAD A GREGARIOUS PERSONALITY, AND FROM SOMEONE WHOM YOU LEARN A LOT.

>> WE WILL TURN OUR FOCUS NOW TO THE CHURCH SERVICE THAT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

THE CHRISTIAN BURIAL OF FORMER GOVERNOR ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER >> IF YOU TRY TO FIX MORE THAN YOU BREAK .

IF YOU ARE THE KIND THAT TAKES THE TIME TO HELP A STRANGER IN THE RAIN THERE´S A PLACE FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU.

IF YOU STAND UP FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED AND IF YOU LEND A VOICE TO THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK IF YOU SHINE A LITTLE LIGHT ON THOSE THERE´S A PLACE FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU >> GOOD MORNING.

WHEN ASKED TO WRITE THIS EULOGY, THE HAUNTING POEM, DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT, WRITTEN IN 1947 BY DYLAN THOMAS IMMEDIATELY CAME TO MIND.

I AM A FORMER ENGLISH PROFESSOR, AFTER ALL.

I DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR HIS AILING FATHER WHO DIED FIVE YEARS LATER JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 16, 1952 .

I ALSO DID NOT KNOW THAT THE FAMOUS WELLS POET WHO ACTUALLY DIED SUDDENLY, TRAGICALLY 11 MONTHS LATER IN A NEW YORK CITY HOSPITAL HAD PASSED FROM ACUTE PNEUMONIA LEFT UNTREATED TOO LONG.

I BELIEVE IN JUJU, I BELIEVE THE UNIVERSE SPEAKS TO US.

I AM WEST INDIAN , AFTER ALL.

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT BUT GO AND PROMISE .

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT.

OLD AGE SHOULD BURN AND RAGE AT CLOSE OF DAY, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT THE WISE MEN AT THE END KNOW DARK IS RIGHT BECAUSE THEIR WORDS HAD , GOOD CRYING HOW BRIGHT THEIR TEETH MAY HAVE DANCED, RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT.

WILD MAN, WHO CAUGHT AND SANG THE SUN IN FLIGHT AND LEARNED TOO LATE THEY GRIEVED ON ITS WAY, DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT.

BRAVE MAN, NEAR DEATH WHO SEE WITH BINDING SITE, BLIND EYES COULD LAZE LIKE METEORS AND BK, RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT .

AND YOU, MY FATHER, THERE ON THE SATELLITE CURSE, BLESS ME NOW WITH YOUR FIERCE TEARS I PRAY.

IT DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT.

RAGE, AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT.

MY FATHER , WISE MAN, GOOD MAN WILD MAN BRAVE MAN.

WAS LARGER THAN LIFE.

BOTH IMMORTAL AND IMMENSE, HE LIVED EACH DAY WITH A PASSION A JOIE DE VIVRE AND AND UNMATCHED BY MOST.

HIS LIST OF THE COPPERSMITHS WERE MANY AND ARE READILY MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC EYE BUT PERHAPS WAS LESS WIDELY KNOWN WAS WHO HE WAS AS A MAN, WHO HE WAS AS MY DADDY, A FATHER WHO ENDED EACH PHONE CALL WITH THE REFRAIN, I LOVE YOU BABY.

AND IT WAS THESE THINGS THAT MADE HIM TRULY MAGICAL .

AS YOU KNOW MY FURTHER MY FATHER FIRST ROSE TO PROMINENCE AS A PHYSICIAN, A REALLY A CANCER SURGEON, HE TRAINED AT SOME OF THE FINEST INSTITUTIONS FROM HOWARD UNIVERSITY TO SLOAN- KETTERING IN NEW YORK.

OFTEN FACED APPRENTICES IN AND OUT OF THE OPERATING ROOM BEFORE RETURNING TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TO SERVE AS COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH .

BUT HOW MANY AMONGST YOU KNOW WHY HE BECAME A DOCTOR IN THE FIRST PLACE?

NO, IT WAS NOT FOR THE PRESTIGE, THE PAYCHECK OR THE PRIVILEGE .

IT WAS BECAUSE OF A LITTLE BOY, HIS GRANDMOTHER WHO HE LOVED FOR IT FIERCELY HAD DIED IN HOSPITAL, AND THE SINGULAR LITTLE BOY SAID , I KNOW THAT IF I WERE DR. , I COULD HAVE SAVED HER.

AND IT WAS FROM THIS MOMENT OF ANGUISH, ADORATION AND UNWAVERING CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO FORK LIGHTNING WITH HIS WORDS AND DEEDS THAT HE DETERMINED TO MAKE HIS PASSAGE ON THIS EARTH REALLY MATTER.

HE HAD AN INDOMITABLE WILL, AND TO KNOW MY FATHER WAS TO ADMIRE HIM , OR AT THE VERY LEAST, TO RESPECT HIM .

FOR IF YOU COULDN´T SEE THAT YOU WERE IN THE PRESENCE OF GREATNESS WHEN YOU STOOD BEFORE HIM THEN I GUESS YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WITNESSED A FIREWORK AND ASKED ONLY, WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BURN SO BRIGHT, AS A CHILD HE WOULD TELL ME STORIES OF HIS COLLEGE YEARS, OF WINTER SPENT SHIVERING STATESIDE IN BORROWED WINTER COATS, STARTING LATE INTO THE NIGHT, FUELED ONLY BY MAKESHIFT MEALS OF TOMATO SOUP, MADE FROM HOT WATER, CATCH UP AND SALT-AND- PEPPER .

AND FUELED ONLY BY DETERMINATION TO MAKE HIS FAMILY AND HIS ISLAND PROUD.

HE TOLD ME STORIES OF HIS TIME IN VIETNAM , OF SLEEPING WITH HIS GLASSES TAPED TO HIS FACE BECAUSE HE NEVER KNEW IF HE WOULD BE AWAKENED TO BE AIRLIFTED OUT TO HELP SURVIVORS OF AMBUSHES.

STORIES OF BEING SHOT AT, WAITING TO BE DROPPED INTO FIELDS OF BATTLE .

STORIES OF TELLING RETREATING SOLDIERS WITH STEELY EYES AND STEEL IN HAND, THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE LEAVING LITTLE VIETNAMESE CHILDREN BEHIND TO DIE.

I SAW THE PICTURES OF HIM, ROBUST AND STEADFAST WHEN HE ARRIVED IN THE JUNGLE AND BE MEDDLED EMACIATED WHEN HE LEFT, TAKING HIM DIABETES , AND HE WOULD CARRY FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE, A REMINDER OF THE PRICE HE PAID THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE.

AND YET AND STILL, IT WAS THE LIVING THAT ALWAYS COUNTED .

MY FATHER WAS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST MAN I WILL EVER KNOW.

WHILE WE ARE CONSTANTLY AT ATTENTION READY TO LISTEN TO HIS GRANDIOSE LIFE LESSONS, HE ALSO ALWAYS WANTED YOU TO HEAR A JOKE AND HE COULD HAVE YOU IN TEARS AS HE RECOUNTED THE CRAZINESS HE HAD ENCOUNTERED DURING THE DAYS AROUND OR REPEATING A KNOCK KNOCK JOKE SHARED BY A SCHOOL CHILD DURING A VISIT.

KNOCK KNOCK, WHO´S THERE, MADAME, MADAME, WHO?

MADAME FOOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR!

TRAVEL WITH HIM AND YOU WERE SURE TO CYCLE THROUGH EVERY MUST DO ITEM ON THE CITY´S BUCKET LIST.

IF YOU WENT TO NEW YORK, YOUR FIRST STOP WEATHER MADE IN A YELLOW CAB OR A STRETCH MISSING WAS A HOTDOG CART AND OFF TO ROCKEFELLER CENTER FOR ICE- SKATING AND THEN ON TO THE ROCKETTES.

FOR SURE YOU WOULD SEE A BROADWAY SHOW AND GRAB A MASSIVE SANDWICH , AND YOUR NIGHTS AT THE WALDORF ASTORIA WOULD BE PUNCTUATED BY INDIAN MOVIES AND MIDNIGHT ROOM SERVICE FRENCH FRIES AND ICE CREAM SUNDAYS.

NOTHING WAS EVER EVERY DAY AND EVERY DAY WAS INNOCENT.

INCLUDING THE OBLIGATORY VISIT TO SEE DEAR OLD AUNTIES IN THE BRONX TO DELIVER THE ISLAND, ALONG WITH THE FRESH BREAD OF GUAVA TART WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE WEST INDIAN AUNTIES FROM ELON TO MALAYSIA, SHANGHAI TO SAME AND IT WAS ONE BIG ADVENTURE.

THIS POOR BOY FROM, THE DESCENDENT OF PRISONS AND A GERMAN DAMNING CHIP BORN ON A TINY ISLAND IN THE CARIBBEAN THAT FEW STATE SIDERS CAN LOCATE ON A MAP, WENT ON TO BECOME A GOVERNOR AND TO MINGLE WITH SOME OF THE GREATEST POLITICAL AND SOCIAL FIGURES OF OUR TIME, FROM BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON TO: POWELL, MOHAMMED ALI , SHERRY BELAFONTE TO DESMOND TUTU, AND SOME WOULD THINK THAT THIS PROXIMITY TO POWER MAY MAKE HIM BELIEVE THAT HE WAS A GREAT MAN, FOR MY FATHER, IT ALL PLAY TO A HIGHER POWER AND THE GREATNESS OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

AS HE WROTE ON THE NIGHT HE WAS INVITED TO STAY IN THE LINCOLN ROOM AT THE WHITE HOUSE, QUOTE, TO BELIEVE THAT THE GREAT GREAT DANISH WEST INDIES COULD EXPERIENCE THIS TREMENDOUS EVENT GIVES GREAT FAITH IN THE TENANTS OF OUR GREAT DEMOCRACY.

FURTHERMORE, IT SUPPORTS THE TRUISM THAT WITH HONESTY, HARD WORK AND A REALIZATION OF ONE ONE´S GOD-GIVEN TALENTS, THE IMPOSSIBLE CAN BE ACHIEVED , CERTAINLY, THE GUIDING HAND OF THE ALMIGHTY IS WITHOUT A DOUBT PRESENT.

AND GUIDED AS HE WAS BY GOD, EVEN WHILE WALKING THE HALLS OF GREATNESS, MY FATHER WAS ALWAYS THINKING OF THE LEAST AMONGST US .

IF ANYONE CAME TO HIM WITH A PROBLEM, WITH A LEGITIMATE WRONG TO BE RIGHTED OR EVEN A SERIOUS CLAIM OF HARD TIMES AND INJUSTICE, HE WAS THERE TO HELP HIM IF HE COULDN´T DO IT HIMSELF, HE WOULD ENLIST THOSE AROUND HIM TO FIND A SOLUTION, TO RAISE OTHERS UP AND AID IN WRITING ANY WRONG AND YOU BETTER DO IT FAST.

MY HUSBAND IS KOREAN, AND CULTURE THAT ONCE YOU HAVE A CHILD, YOUR IDENTITY , YOUR REASON FOR BEING, THE FULL SENSE OF YOUR VALUE BECOMES INEXTRICABLY RELATED TO YOUR POSITION AS THE PARENT OF THE CHILD .

SO MUCH SO, THAT ONCE MY SON WAS BORN, I WAS NEVER AGAIN CALLED BY MY GIVEN NAME BUT WAS KNOWN ONLY AS OCEANS MOTHER.

THAT WAS MY NEW NAME.

IT WAS ONLY RECENTLY THAT I REALIZED IT WAS SIMILAR WITH MY DAD , IF YOU ARE SOMEHOW ASSOCIATED WITH HIM, YOU BECAME SNYDER DAUGHTER , THE ONE WHO WORKS WITH SCHNEIDER, AND AS BARBARA KNOWS ALL TOO WELL, SNYDER´S WIFE.

BUT IN THIS CASE IT DIDN´T FEEL LIKE AN IDENTITY LOSS, IT FELT LIKE AN IDENTITY GAINED TO BE A SATELLITE AROUND MY FATHER WAS SOMEHOW THE OPPOSITE OF A SUPERMAN TAIL, FOR EVERYONE SAW THE BIG S ON HIS CHEST ALL THE TIME BUT YOU, WHEN YOU ARE WITH HIM, SUDDENLY YOUR EVERYDAY GARB WENT FLYING AND YOU BECAME YOUR VERY BEST SELF, YOU TRANSFORMED INTO THE SUPERHERO HE SAW IN YOU I SAW HIM TAKE UNDER HIS WING YOUNG PEOPLE IN WHOM ONLY HE WOULD´VE HAD THE FAITH TO BELIEVE IN THEIR ABILITY TO SHOULDER HUGE RESPONSIBILITIES AND I SAW THEM RISE TO THE OCCASION, AND RISE UP TO BECOME SOME OF THESE CURRENT DAY POLITICIANS AND LEADERS.

I SAW HIS DEAR AND SOFT-SPOKEN WIFE BARBARA, TRANSFORM WITH GRACE INTO A WOMAN WHO PROVED HERSELF A TITAN AND DOING HER DUTIES AS FIRST LADY AND A TIGRESS IN HER DEVOTED LOVE AND CARE FOR HER HUSBAND UNTIL THE VERY END.

AND OF COURSE, FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY GAVE FREELY OF HERSELF, HER FAMILY AND HER SECOND DAUGHTER TO HIM, BUT WHO WAS HIS OTHER DAUGHTER.

NEAR WHEN I WAS FOUR, A BELOVED FRIEND, CONFIDANT AND PILLAR TO BARBARA AS THEY BOTH LABORED TIRELESSLY TO HOLD MY FATHER UP .

PEOPLE WOULD SAY MY FATHER WAS EXACTING AND YEAH, THAT WAS TRUE.

BUT HE WOULD NEVER EXPECT FROM YOU WHAT HE WAS NOT WILLING TO GIVE HIMSELF , WHICH WAS 100% IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS.

SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME STORIES IN THE PAST DAYS AND WEEKS ABOUT HOW HE USED TO COME INTO THE HOSPITAL AND WHEN THEY HEARD HIS WHISTLE, EVERYONE WOULD GO SCRAMBLING .

FLOORS WERE SHINED, UNIFORM STRAIGHTENED AND MADE SPOTLESS, PATIENT STATUS AND CHURCH CHECK AND RECHECK BECAUSE MEDIOCRITY WAS NOT AN OPTION.

BLAZE LIKE A METEOR OR GET OUT OF HIS ORBIT AND HIS SIGHT FIELD WAS NOT A JOB, IT WAS A CALLING, AND LIVES ARE ON THE LINE.

THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE BEDS AND THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO WAITED ON THEM AT HOME.

AND I KNOW I SPENT MANY A NIGHT AS A CHILD PATIENTLY WAITING FOR MY DADDY TO COME HOME WHILE ALSO KNOWING THAT WHAT HE WAS DOING WAS SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN ME.

SO MUCH MORE THAN EVERYDAY.

DINNER COULD WAIT BECAUSE MY DADDY WAS OUT THERE WALKING AMONGST GODS AND HEROES TOUCHED ALWAYS BY THE ALMIGHTY.

AS I SPENT THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR´S WITHOUT MY FATHER , I RECALL THOSE EARLY CHILDHOOD NIGHTS AND I MUST SAY IT´S HARD FOR ME NOW NOT TO RAGE AT THE DYING OF THIS GREAT LIFE.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS SACRIFICED FOR MY FATHER SERVICE, AS SOMEONE WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND WHO SHOULDERS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CARING AND HONORING MY FATHER´S NAME I CAN ONLY SAY OF THE HOSPITAL THAT BETTER, YOU MUST DO BETTER.

WHERE IS YOUR WHISPER NOW AND WHO ARE YOUR SUPERHEROES?

IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT ONE OF MY FATHER´S GRANDCHILDREN MAY ONE DAY ENTER THE MEDICAL PROFESSION FOR THE SAME REASON HE DID AND I HOPE FOR THE SAKE OF EVERYONE IN THIS TERRITORY THAT YOU´VE GOT ANOTHER SINGULAR LITTLE BOY OR GIRL AMONGST YOUR CHILDREN, MULTIPLE LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS AND WE ARE ALL LOOKING, DREAMING ABOUT COMMITTING THEIR LIVES TO BURNING BRIGHTLY SO THAT OTHERS DO NOT GO UNJUSTLY INTO THEIR GOOD NIGHT .

HOW DO YOU SUM UP A MAN, HOW DO YOU SUM UP LIFE AS GREAT AS HIS IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS?

I KNOW THAT I CANNOT AND I DO NOT WANT TO REBUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS THERE, AT THE VERY END, ALONGSIDE BARBARA AND CHRISTINE, I SAW HIM FIGHT .

AND HE THOUGHT HARD .

BUT HE WAS ALSO, ULTIMATELY, AT PEACE , HE REMEMBERED ONLY THE GOOD .

HE CARRIED IN HIS HEART ONLY THE BELIEF IN A BETTER TOMORROW.

AND AS HE CLOSED HIS EYES, THE LAST THING I TOLD HIM WAS DADDY, YOU REST NOW.

THERE ARE THOSE WHO MIGHT FEAR THE OTHER SIDE BUT YOU, YOU DID EVERYTHING RIGHT AND YOU, YOU OF ALL PEOPLE, YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO A GOOD PLACE AND HE PASSED WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE .

MY FATHER , WISE MAN , GOOD MAN , WILD MAN , BRAVE MAN.

WE LEFT HIM AND WE LEFT HIM FIERCELY, BUT TO LOVE MY FATHER HIM, YOU SHARED HIM WITH THESE ISLANDS AND ITS PEOPLE, SO WE GAVE THEM TO YOU, AND NOW LET US GIVE HIM TOGETHER AT LAST, TO GOD.

THANK YOU.

>> CELEBRATING THIS MASS WILL BE OUR CELEBRANT FATHER ANTHONY ASSISTED BY FATHER JOHN , AND DEACONS OF THE PARISH .

THE BODY WILL BE BLESSED AT THE REAR OF THE CHURCH AS THE PRIEST COME FORWARD >> LET US PRAY OH GOD ALMIGHTY FATHER .

>> OUR FIRST READING WILL BE , I´M SORRY, A PSALM .

>> A READING FROM THE BOOK OF WISDOM.

THE SOULS OF THE JUST ARE IN THE HAND OF GOD.

NO TORMENT SHALL TOUCH THEM.

TO SEE , TO THE LORD SHALL BE THEIR KING FOREVER.

THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM SHALL UNDERSTAND HIM AND MUST STAND TRUTH AND THE FAITHFUL SHOULD BECAUSE GRACE AND MERCY AND HIS CARE , THE WORD OF THE LORD.

THE RESPONSE IS, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE SHADOW OF DEATH , I WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR THOU ART WITH ME.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT.

HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES, HE LEADS ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS.

THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.

I WILL FEEL NO EVIL FOR THOU ART WITH ME.

HE RESTORED MY SOUL, LEAD ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAMESAKE .

THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR THOU ART WITH ME.

YAY THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR THOU ART WITH ME.

MY ROD AND THY STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.

THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR THOU ART WITH ME.

THOU PREPARES TO A TABLE BEFORE ME, IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES, THOU ANOINTED MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP RUNNETH OVER.

THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR THOU ART WITH ME.

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME, ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.

THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR THOU ART WITH ME.

A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER FROM ST. PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS.

BLOOD MOTHERS AND SISTERS, CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, THE FIRST FRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP , FOR THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD CAME ALSO THROUGH MAN .

FOR JUST AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, SO TOO, IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE BROUGHT TO LIFE.

BUT EACH ONE, AND PROPER ORDER.

CHRIST, THE FIRSTFRUITS, THEN , AT HIS COMING, THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST, THEN COMES THE END , WHEN HE HANDS OVER THE KINGDOM TO HIS GOD AND FATHER.

FOR HE MUST REIGN UNTIL HE HAS PUT ALL HIS ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET .

THE LAST ENEMY TO BE DESTROYED IS DEATH , FOR HE SUBJECTED EVERYTHING UNDER HIS FEET .

BUT WHEN IT SAYS THAT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SUBJECTED , IT IS CLEAR THAT IT EXCLUDES THE ONE WHO SUBJECTED EVERYTHING TO HIM.

WHEN EVERYTHING IS SUBJECTED TO HIM, THEN THE SON HIMSELF WILL WHO SUBJECTED EVERYTHING TO HIM SO THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL, THE WORD OF THE LORD.

>> PLEASE STAND FOR THE HALLELUJAH .

HALLELUJAH THE LORD BE WITH YOU.

A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN.

JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED , YOU HAVE FAITH IN GOD, HAVE FAITH ALSO IN ME .

IN MY FATHER´S HOUSE THERE ARE MANY DWELLING PLACES, IF THERE WERE NONE, WHAT I HAVE TOLD YOU I´M GOING TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU?

AND IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME BACK AGAIN AND TAKE YOU TO MYSELF, SO THAT WHERE I AM, YOU ALSO MAY BE.

WHERE I AM GOING, YOU KNOW THE WAY.

THOMAS SAID TO HIM, MASTER, WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING, HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY ?

JESUS SAID TO HIM, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.

NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD .

>> I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY ON BEHALF OF THE BISHOP OF THIS DIOCESE , AND ALL THE CLERGY , WE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE SCHNEIDER FAMILY, KNOWING THAT YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYER AND WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU.

IT IS SAID THAT DEATH IS BLIND.

DEATH DOES NOT SEE HOW OLD YOU ARE, HOW YOUNG YOU ARE , HOW NEEDED YOU ARE.

WHEN DEATH COMES, YOU GOTTA GO.

AS WE REFLECT IN OUR OWN LIVES, IT DOESN´T MATTER WHEN DEATH COMES, THERE IS THAT NEED THAT WE ALWAYS MUST BE READY.

AS WE REFLECT ON THE LIFE OF OUR BROTHER, ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER , AND AFTER HIS NAME, THERE ARE SO MANY LETTERS .

I WAS TALKING TO FATHER JOHN MARK AND WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT SOME OF THESE LETTERS MEAN.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK THAT HIS LIFE HAS TAUGHT ALL OF US, AND I´M SURE THAT THE MOTTO FOR HIS LIFE WAS, I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.

AND SO, I´VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE DIFFERENT REFLECTIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE MAKING, SO THE DAY BEFORE I WAS SPEAKING TO A PASTOR ON ST. JOHN AND HE SAID TO ME, HE SAID, THAT GOVERNOR WAS A SERIOUS GOVERNOR.

HE SAID THAT MAN DIDN´T MAKE JOKES.

IF YOU GOT ON THE JOB AND YOU DID NOT PERFORM, HE WOULD FIRE YOU INSTANTLY.

ONE LADY SAID TO ME AFTER MASS LAST NIGHT, THAT IS MY GOVERNOR SHE SAID, HE GAVE ME MY FIRST JOB .

I WAS TALKING TO A NEWS REPORTER AND HE SAID TO ME, SAY NO TO HIM , BUT HE SAID THAT IS NOT TRUE, IF YOU SAID NO , YOU HAVE TO GIVE A REASON WHY THE JOB CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED AND I THOUGHT, YEAH, THAT MAKES SENSE.

AND SO, OBVIOUSLY AS I WAS GOING TO THE BOOK AND REFLECTING ON WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID WHAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAID, WHAT THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE 34th LEGISLATOR SAID AND THEY ARE ALL RECOGNIZING HIM AS A PIONEER.

BUT ABOVE ALL, THEY RECOGNIZE HIM AS A MAN OF THE SOIL AND I LOVE THAT, TOO.

HE WAS BORN HERE.

HE DIDN´T COME, HE WAS BORN HERE, AND SO, THERE WAS A PRIDE IN YOU KNOW, KNOWING THAT THIS MAN WAS BORN HERE, AND HE ELEVATED HIMSELF BY THE GRACE AND THE HELP THAT CAME FROM GOD.

GOD DID NOT MAKE A MISTAKE IN MAKING HIM, CREATING HIM , ADMITTING HIM TOGETHER IN HIS MOTHER´S WOMB, SHE WAS NOT A MYSTIC, OBVIOUSLY THIS MAN, THIS BROTHER IS BLESSED AND GIFTED BY GOD.

GOD´S GIFT TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AMEN, YES, GOD´S GIFT TO HIS FAMILY, GOD´S GIFT TO HIS FRIENDS, AND WE KNOW THAT OUR BROTHER CAME FROM GOD, AND TODAY, WE ARE PROVING THAT HE IS RETURNING TO GOD AND ALL THAT WE OWN AND ALL WE POSSESS, ARE GIFTS FROM GOD.

THE PASSION HE HAD TO HEAL LIVES AND HEAL BODIES IT LIVES ON FOREVER, MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS A YOUNGER PRIEST AND THIS YOUNG MAN WALKS UP TO ME AND HE SAID, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE , NO ONE EVER ASKED ME THAT QUESTION, SO I PAUSE FOR A WHILE AND SCRATCHED MY HEAD AND I SAID HOW WHAT I LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED, AND THEN I GAVE AN ANSWER, I SAID TO HIM, I WOULD LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED AS SOMEONE WHO TRIED, NOW THAT RESPONSE HAS TO CHANGE.

I HAVE TWO, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO THRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE, WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE YOU KNOW, WE DON´T WANT TO GIVE OUR BEST OR WE DON´T WANT TO GIVE OUR ALL OR WE DON´T WANT TO BE COMMITTED , YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE SAY WELL, LET´S GIVE CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS OR YOUNG PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY IN SOME TIME THEY DO NOT USE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IS GIVEN TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.

>> THAT IS IN OUR HANDS AND THAT IS IN OUR CONTROL AS TO WILL BE REMEMBERED , GOOD OR BAD YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED.

AND IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE REMEMBERED AS MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOVE GOD , MEN AND WOMEN WHO LIVE THEIR LIVES OR LAY THEM DOWN SO OTHERS WILL LIVE AND MEN AND WOMEN WHO FROM JOY IN SERVING THE LORD AND SERVING OTHERS.

I THINK THE GREATER LESSON THAT OUR FORMER GOVERNOR IS TEACHING ALL OF US IS THAT LIFE IS SHORT.

ONE DAY YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THIS LIFE.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THIS MORNING THAT WHEN DEATH COMES YOU HAVE TO GO.

YOU CAN´T SAY I AM COOKING SOME TURKEY WINGS ARE DOING SOME BOILED FISH OR YOU CAN´T SAY, WELL, I AM TOO YOUNG.

WHEN DEATH COMES, YOU HAVE TO GO, BUT I THINK THE LESSON BEING TAUGHT HERE TODAY IS THAT WE NEED TO BE READY.

THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE NOW WE NEED TO BE READY AND PEOPLE OF THE SAME, YOU´RE HERE TODAY AND YOU ARE GONE TOMORROW AND THIS GENERATION HAS CHANGED THAT.

YOU ARE HERE TODAY AND YOU ARE GONE TODAY AND THAT IS RIGHT.

AND YOU KNOW, THERE IS A NEED FOR US TO STAND READY AND WE HAVE TO BE LIKE EVER READY, ALWAYS READY , BE READY.

BE READY.

THAT MEANS THAT YOUR SOUL IS WELL WITH THE LORD NOBODY CAN DO THAT FOR YOU BUT YOURSELVES.

YOU HAVE TO ENSURE THAT AS YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS LIFE THAT YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CREATOR OF THIS LIFE AND YOU CAN MAKE TIME IN YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE TO SPEND WITH THE LORD AND SOMETIMES WE DON´T HAVE TIME TO GO TO CHURCH, YES ?

BECAUSE WE ARE BUSY?

WE DON´T HAVE TIME.

MAYBE TODAY OUR BROTHER HAS BROUGHT YOU BACK ON HOLY GROUND.

THAT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE.

GOD HAS BROUGHT YOU HERE AGAIN TO BE REMINDED THAT LIFE IS SHORT AND THE PASSING AND YOU NEED TO, YOU AND I , WE NEED TO BE READY WHEN HE CALLS US AND IT SAID IN THE LAST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, THE BOOK OF REVELATION, THERE IS A BOOK OF LIFE THAT WHEN WE STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD AS WE ALL WILL, MIND YOU .

NOBODY IS EXEMPT.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE JUDGED BY THE JUST JUDGE.

IN THE LAST BOOK IT SAYS IN THAT BOOK OF LIFE WHEN YOU STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD, HE WILL BE THERE LOOKING FOR YOUR NAME.

SO IN THIS BOOK YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NAME IS THEY ARE.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NAME IS THERE BECAUSE WE MIGHT BE LOOKING OR MAYBE TRY TO GIVE ST. PETER SOME MONEY TO ENTER AND IT DON´T WORK SO.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE.

SO WHEN YOU WERE BORN AND WHEN YOU DIE IS IT THAT DASH THAT SPACE, THOSE YEARS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE THOSE YEARS IS WHAT IS GOING TO DETERMINE WHETHER WE SPEND ETERNITY WITH GOD IN HEAVEN OR IN HELL.

HELL IS FOR REAL.

HELL WASN´T CREATED FOR US.

IT WAS CREATED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS.

WE ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF A GOD THAT LOVES US.

LISTEN TO ME.

GOD LOVES YOU.

NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH, GOD LOVES YOU.

GOD CREATED YOU OUT OF LOVE AND HE FASHIONED YOU FOR A REASON AND PUT YOU ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH ALLOWING YOU TO BE ALIVE AT THIS TIME FOR A REASON .

IF YOU ARE SITTING HERE SAYING , PRIEST, YOU DON´T KNOW WHAT I HAVE GONE THROUGH OR DONE.

AND I AM SAYING YOU ARE RIGHT.

I DON´T KNOW.

BUT GOD KNOWS, AND GOD LOVES YOU STILL.

AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE GOD STOP LOVING YOU.

YOU ARE LOVED.

SO I AM CHALLENGING YOU THIS MORNING, SPEND TIME WITH THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU.

COME TO KNOW HIM.

I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT IN A SUPERFICIAL WAY.

I AM TALKING ABOUT IN A SPIRITUAL WAY.

HE SAYS FOR THOSE WHO DRAW CLOSE TO GOD, GOD DRAWS CLOSE TO THEM IN SCRIPTURE REMINDS US HE STANDS AT THE DOOR OF OUR HEARTS AND HE IS KNOCKING AND HE SAID IF ANYBODY HEARS ME NOW, I WILL OPEN THE DOOR AND COME IN AND HAVE SUPPER WITH HIM AND HE WITH ME AND THIS GOD OF OURS IS A LOVER.

HE LOVES YOU AND CARES ABOUT YOU.

SO OFTEN WE THINK TO FOLLOW GOD WE NEED TO GIVE UP THINGS.

AND I AM TELLING YOU AND IT MAY SURPRISE YOU THAT WHEN YOU BEGIN TO FOLLOW THE LORD, YOU DON´T HAVE TO GIVE UP ANYTHING.

THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD GIVES US UP.

LET US GO AND YOU FIND THERE IS JOY IN THE LORD AND SO OFTEN WE THINK, OKAY YOU FOLLOW THE LORD AND EVERY NEED YOU HAVE WILL BE MET IN THE LORD.

AND THAT IS A LIVE FROM THE DEVIL THAT SAYS IF I´M FOLLOWING THE LORD I AM NOT LISTENING.

GOD CARES ABOUT WHERE WE LIVE AT HER EDUCATION AND HE CARES ABOUT WHAT WE EAT.

HE CARES ABOUT YOU.

AND THAT IS WHY SCRIPTURE SAID SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN ALL OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE ADDED.

NOTHING WILL BE LACKING OR MISSING.

GOD IS REMINDING US THAT HE LOVES US AND OUR BROTHER IS TEACHING US THAT GOD LOVES US AND BLESSES US WITH THESE TALENTS AND ONE DAY WHEN WE STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD, I PRAY THAT GOD WILL SAY TO HER BROTHER AS HE WILL SAY TO ALL OF US, WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS .

AMEN.

>> BROTHERS AND SISTERS, JESUS CHRIST HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD --CONFIDENT THAT GOD HEARS THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO TRUST THE LORD JESUS AND WE JOIN OUR PRAYERS .

>> THE RESPONSE WILL BE, LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

>> LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

>> IN BAPTISM, ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER RECEIVED THE LIGHT OF CHRIST AND SCATTERED THE DARKNESS NOW AND LET HIM OVER THE WATERS OF DEATH.

LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

OUR BROTHER ROY WAS NOURISHED AT THE TABLE OF OUR SAVIOR.

WELCOME HIM INTO THE HALLS OF THE HEAVENLY BANQUET WE PRAY TO THE LORD.

>> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYERS.

>> MANY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS OF OUR FAMILIES HAVE GONE BEFORE US AND AWAIT THE KINGDOM .

GRANT THEM AN EVERLASTING HOME WITH YOUR SON , WE PRAY TO THE LORD.

>> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYERS.

>> MANY PEOPLE DIED BY VIOLENCE, WAR, AND FAMINE EACH DAY.

SHOW YOUR MERCY TO THOSE WHO SUFFER SO UNJUSTLY THESE SINS AGAINST YOUR LOVE, AND GATHER THEM TO ETERNAL KINGDOM OF PEACE.

>> WE ARE ASSEMBLED HERE IN FAITH AND CONFIDENCE TO PRAY FOR OUR BROTHER , ROY.

MAY WE STRENGTHEN OUR HOPE SO WE MAY LIVE IN THE EXPECTATION OF YOUR SONS COMING , WE PRAY TO THE LORD.

>> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

>> LORD GOD, GIVE US PEACE AND FREEDOM OF SOULS AND GIVE PRAYERS OF THE REDEEMER, JESUS CHRIST, AND THE VOICE OF YOUR PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES WERE PURCHASED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND GRANDPA´S PLACE IN THE KINGDOM, THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

PLEASE BE SEATED.

>> HOW GREAT THOU ART.

>> O LORD, MY GOD, AWESOME WONDER CONSIDER ALL THE WORDS THY HANDS HAVE MADE, I SEE THE STARS, I HEAR THE ROLLING THUNDER.

YOUR POWER THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE DISPLAYED.

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THE .

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE HOW GREAT THOU ART .

AND WHEN I THINK THAT GOD, HIS SON NOT SPARING, SENT HIM TO DIE I CAN TAKE IT IN.

THAT ON THE CROSS, MY BURDEN GLADLY BEARING , HE BLED AND DIED TO TAKE AWAY MY SIN.

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE.

HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART, THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART .

AND WHEN I THINK THAT GOD, HIS SON NOT SPARING, SENT HIM TO DIE, I SCARCE CAN TAKE IT IN THAT ON THE CROSS MY BURDEN GLADLY BEARING HE BLED AND DIED TO TAKE AWAY MY SIN.

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE .

HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART .

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE .

HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART.

WHEN CHRIST SHALL COME, WITH SHOUT OF ACCLAMATION, AND TAKE ME HOME , WHAT JOY SHALL FILL MY HEART .

THEN I SHALL BOW, IN HUMBLE ADORATION , AND THEN PROCLAIM, MY GOD, HOW GREAT THOU ART THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE .

HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART.

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE.

HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART.

>> MAYOR SACRIFICE BE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD THE ALMIGHTY FATHER.

AND NOW WE PLAYED --PRAYED FOR YOUR SERVANT ROY AND WE OFFER YOU THIS SACRIFICE SO THAT SHOULD ANY --OR ANY BE FORGIVEN AND WIPED AWAY.

CHRIST OUR LORD.

THE LORD BE WITH YOU AND LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS.

LET US GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OUR GOD.

IT IS TRULY RIGHT AND JUST IN OUR DUTY AND SALVATION ALWAYS LORD HEAVENLY FATHER ALMIGHTY GOD AND IN THE HOME OF THE BLESSED RESURRECTION THAT THOSE SADDENED BY THE CERTAINTY OF DYING MAY BE CONSOLED BY THE PROMISE OF IMMORTALITY TO COME FOR YOUR FAITHFUL LORD LIFE IS CHANGED AND NOT ENDED AND WIN THIS STAYS READY FOR THEM IN HEAVEN.

AND SO THE ANGELS WITH ALL OF THE POWERS OF HEAVEN WE DO THAT WITHOUT AND.

>> >> YOU ARE INDEED HOLY LORD IN THE FOUNTAIN OF ALL HOLINESS.

AND MAKE HOLY BY SENDING DOWN LIKE BEFORE SO THEY CAN COME FOR US THE BODY AND LIGHT OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AT THE TIME HE WAS BETRAYED AND THEN HE TOOK BREAD AND GAVE THANKS, BROKE IT AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES SAYING TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

SIMILAR WAY HE TOOK THE CHALICE AND ONCE MORE GIVING THANKS HE GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES SAYING TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU AND DRINK FROM IT FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD FOR THE COVENANT WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS IN MEMORY OF ME.

THEREFORE AS WE CELEBRATE HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION WE ALSO HAVE THE BREAD OF LIFE IN THE CHALICE OF SALVATION AND THE ABILITY TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE AND MINISTER TO YOU HUMBLY WE PRAY THAT PARTICULARLY WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

AND REMEMBER LORD THIS AND BRING TO THE FULLEST TOGETHER -- AND REMEMBERING YOUR SERVANT WHOM YOU HAVE CALLED AND WITH YOUR SON AND WE ALSO BE ONE WITH HIM AND REMEMBER ALSO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO HAVE -- AND WELCOME THEM INTO THE LIGHT AND HAVE MERCY ON US ALL AND WITH THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN THE BLESSED JOSEPH AND THE BLESSED APOSTLES, ALL THE SAINTS AND --ETERNAL LIGHT AND THROUGH YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST.

AND FORGOT ALMIGHTY FATHER, IN THE UNITY OF THE LORD´S SERVANT FOREVER AND EVER.

>> AMEN.

>> AND WE DARE TO SAY OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, I WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

>> DELIVER US FROM EVERY EVIL AND GRACIOUSLY GRANT PEACE IN OUR DAYS THAT WITH THE HELP OF YOUR MERCY WE ARE ALWAYS FREE FROM SIN AS WE AWAIT BLESSING AND HOPE FOR THE COMING OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

LORD, JESUS CHRIST I GIVE YOU MY PIECE AND LOOK NOT AT OUR CHURCH AND GRACIOUSLY GRANT PEACE WITH UNITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WILL AND LIBERATE FOREVER AND EVER.

THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.

>> LET´S OFFER EACH OTHER THE SIGN OF PEACE.

>> KINDLY STAY IN PLACE .

KINDLY STAY IN PLACE.

>> [ BELLS RINGING ] BACK IT IS A SIGN OF BEING IN COMMUNION WITH THE CHURCH, THEREFORE, HOLY COMMUNION IS ONLY OPEN TO CATHOLICS WHO ARE PREPARED TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT.

OUR COMMUNION HIM IS I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE FOUND IN YOUR BOOKLET.

>> I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.

HE WHO COMES TO ME SHALL NOT HUNGER .

HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NOT THIRST.

NO ONE CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER DRAW HIM.

AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP.

AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP.

AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP ON THE LAST DAY.

THE BREAD THAT I WILL GIVE YOU IS MY FLESH FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD .

AND HE EATS THIS BREAD , HE SHALL LIVE FOREVER.

HE SHALL LIVE FOREVER.

AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP.

AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP .

AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP ON THE LAST DAY.

>> LET US PRAY.

LORD GOD, THE SON GAVE US THE SACRAMENT FOR HIS BODY FOR THE JOURNEY AND STRENGTHENED BY IT MAY COME TO THE ETERNAL TABLE OF CHRIST WHO LIVES AND REIGNS FOREVER AND EVER.

>> AMEN.

WE WILL PRAY TOGETHER AND WE TAKE COMFORT THAT ONE DAY WE WILL ENJOY HIS FRIENDSHIP AND ALTHOUGH THIS CONGREGATION WILL DISPERSE, SOMEDAY BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE WILL BE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAIN IN HIS JOYOUS KINGDOM AND THEREFORE, LET US CONSULT ONE ANOTHER IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.

IT IS A CUSTOM IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR INCENSE AT THE END OF THE FUNERAL MASS AND IT COMES FROM THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND AS IT GOES UP IT SYMBOLIZES THE FRAGRANCE OF THE FAITHFUL HERE ON EARTH SO THIS IS USED FOR A FEW REASONS, TO SHOW RESPECT AND HONOR FOR OUR LOVED ONES DYING AND CONFIDENCE THAT WE ALL GET OUR BODIES BACK BUT ALSO UP TO THE RAFTERS OF THIS CHURCH WE WANT TO OFFER PRAYERS FOR BROTHER ROY THAT HE MAY REST IN PEACE AND PRAYERS FOR HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO ARE SUFFERING TODAY TO GIVE THEM COMFORT AND PEACE AND STRENGTH.

>> [ PRAYING ] >> MAKE CHRIST WHO CALLED YOU RECEIVE YOUR SOUL AND INTERNAL LIFE A LORD AND THEN LIGHT SHINES UPON YOU AND RECEIVE HIS SOUL .

SOUL OF ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER AND IN THE SITE OF THIS --AND MAY HE LIVE FOREVER.

FORGIVE WHATEVER SINS THAT CAME THROUGH HUMAN WEAKNESS AND GRANT HIM EVERLASTING PEACE THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.

>> AMEN.

>> IN PEACE LET US NOW TAKE HER BROTHER TO HIS PLACE OF REST.

AND MAY THEY COME TO WELCOME YOU A KINGDOM TO THE HOLY CITY WITH YOU .

AMEN.

>> SOFTLY AND TENDERLY.

JESUS IS CALLING.

CALLING FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

SEE ON THE PORTALS HE´S WAITING AND WATCHING, WATCHING FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

COME HOME.

COME HOME.

THOSE WHO ARE WEARY .

COME HOME.

EARNESTLY, TENDERLY , JESUS IS CALLING.

CALLING , OH CENTER, COME HOME.

WHY SHOULD WE WORRY WHEN JESUS IS PLEADING.

PLEADING FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

WHY SHOULD WE LINGER AND HE´D NOT HIS MERCIES , MERCIES FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

COME HOME.

COME HOME.

THOSE WHO ARE WEARY.

COME HOME.

EARNESTLY, TENDERLY.

JESUS IS CALLING , CALLING, OH , SINNER, COME HOME.

OH FOR THE WONDERFUL LOVE HE HAS PROMISED.

PROMISED FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

THOUGH WE HAVE SINNED, HE HAS MERCY AND PARDON.

PARDON FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

COME HOME.

COME HOME.

THOSE WHO ARE WEARY.

COME HOME, EARNESTLY, TENDERLY, JESUS IS CALLING.

CALLING, OH , SINNER, COME HOME.

>> >> GOOD MORNING.

WE HAVE JUST WITNESSED THE CHRISTIAN BURIAL FOR THE FIFTH ELECTED GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, GOVERNOR DR. ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER.

I THINK FOR ALL OF US HAVE HAD AND TO VIEW THIS SERVICE THIS MORNING FROM THE HISTORIC STS.

PETER AND PAUL CATHEDRAL HERE IN ST. THOMAS , IT CERTAINLY WAS AN INSPIRATIONAL AND MOVING SERVICE STARTING WITH THE EULOGY BY THE GOVERNOR´S DAUGHTER , AND THE HOMILY BY FATHER ABRAHAM´S AND I DON´T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT IF YOU HAVEN´T LEFT THE SERVICE THIS MORNING FEELING INSPIRED AND FEELING MOVED BY WHAT WE HEARD AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A FITTING TRIBUTE FOR HIM.

>> YES.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE EXCELLENCE AND IT WAS AN EXCELLENT SERVICE AND EXCELLENT MAN.

AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE JOINED BY THE HONORABLE MARIE C JAMES MEMBER OF THE RECENTLY FROM THE DISTRICT OF FINK ROY.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING.

I FELT LIKE YOU DID AND I THINK ALL OF US ARE CORRECT THAT IF YOU DIDN´T LEAVE YOUR INSPIRED, YOU MISSED SOMETHING YOU WERE SLEEPING AND WE WILL PUT IT THAT WAY.

SO THE EULOGY THAT HIS DAUGHTER GAVE TOUCHED ME DEEPLY .

AND I DO AGREE WITH YOU THAT THE SERMON WAS ON POINT .

IF YOU WORK WITH HIM, AND YOU KNOW I HAVE WORKED WITH YOU AND IT WAS A PLEASURE DEFINITELY AND JUST BEING IN HIS PRESENCE MADE YOU WANT TO BE BETTER AND HE MADE YOU APOLOGIZE FOR BEING YOUR BEST SELF BUT IN FACT BE AS GREAT AS GOD MADE YOU TO BE.

FOR ME DURING THAT TIME OF COURSE HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF MY FATHER.

I MET HIM AFTER MY FATHER DIED.

HE WOULD TELL ME STORIES ABOUT BOTH OF THEM.

I SAW HIS KINDNESS.

I DON´T THINK PEOPLE REALLY REALIZE HOW KIND HE WAS AND ON THE WAY HERE I WAS TELLING THE DRIVER THAT I WAS WITH HIM ONE TIME IN THE CAR DRIVING THROUGHOUT ST. CROIX AND HE STOPPED AND SAW SOME WORKMEN FROM PUBLIC WORKS AND GOT OUT AND SAID TO THEM DID YOU HAVE LUNCH YET AND THEY HAD SAID NO, AND HE REACHED IN HIS POCKET AND GAVE THEM $100 AND SAID GO HAVE LUNCH ON ME BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD.

THE KINDNESS THAT HE SHOWED TO MY CHILDREN, THEY WILL NEVER LIVE AND THEY WERE 6, SEVEN, AND NINE AND THEY WERE AN INSPIRATION .

WE HAVE TO REIGNITE THAT IN OUR CHILDREN AND PEOPLE TO HAVE HIGH STANDARDS AND STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE AND DON´T APOLOGIZE FOR BEING A LIGHT IN THE ROOM.

SO I´M GETTING A LITTLE EMOTIONAL.

SO I WILL END ON THAT NOTE BECAUSE HE DID MEAN A LOT TO ME.

I AM GRATEFUL IN MY LIFE I MET HIM.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO QUICKLY SAY WHAT YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIM AND YOUR CHILDREN.

IT FITS IN PERFECTLY WITH ONE OF HIS BIGGEST --THE THINGS HE MOST BELIEVED AND IN THAT WAS AND IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO HIM AND SO MUCH OF WHAT HE DID WAS FOR THE FUTURE NOT ONLY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BUT OF OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY ARE THE FUTURE FOR SURE.

>> THE JOY OF LIVING AND OF BEING ALIVE .

WHEN I WAS WITH HIM, MY HUSBAND AND I ENJOYED DINNER OUT WITH HIM AT RESTAURANTS AND HE WOULD GET UP AND SING AND DANCE.

AND WHAT A MAN.

JUST LIVING AND HAPPY TO BE ALIVE AND GIVING YOUR BEST YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU , SENATOR JAMES.

YOU HAVE CONTINUE THAT LEGACY IN YOUR OWN WAY BECAUSE SERVING AS COUNSEL ON ST. CROIX REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX THE LEGISLATOR SO YOU HAVE CONSIDERED THAT AND CONTINUE THAT SERVICE AND WE COMMEND YOU FOR THAT AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU HELPING ME ALONG THE WAY IS A NEW SENATOR.

>> YES.

IT WILL BE MY PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING AND YOUR SERVICE.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU.

AGAIN, I THINK THE SENATOR IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND THE THING THAT STRUCK ME AS I MENTIONED THE EULOGY BY HIS DAUGHTER BUT THE THING THAT STRUCK ME IS WHEN SHE SAID WHERE THE WHISTLERS AND MEMBER HE USED TO WHISTLE IN THE HALL OF THE HOUSE AND AT THAT TIME HIS OFFICE IS ON THE THIRD FLOOR AND HE WOULD WHISTLE FROM THE TIME HE ENTERED THE LOBBY AND YOU COULD HEAR HIM UNTIL HE CAME UP TO HIS OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR.

AND WHEN SHE SAID WHERE ARE THE WHISTLERS I THOUGHT CHALLENGE TO US.

>> YES.

HE USED TO DO THE SAME AND ST. CROIX AS WELL.

THAT IS ONE OF THE SIGNALS THAT HE HAD ARRIVED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE ARE NOW JOINED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE 35th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE NEWLY INAUGURATED LEGISLATURE .

WELCOME.

>> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS OF THE SERVICE AND AS WELL AS GOVERNOR DR. ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER?

>> I THOUGHT THE SERVICE WAS CLASSY AND A GOOD SERVICE AND I ENJOYED IT AND I WAS HAPPY TO BE HERE TO BE A PART OF THE SERVICE.

I DO HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF THE GOVERNOR AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT I THINK IT WAS BACK IN 1977 IN 1978 WHEN HE WAS IN A COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH AND MY MOTHER WORKED AT THE HOSPITAL AND SHE WAS A NURSE THERE AND I REMEMBER THE GOVERNOR COMING IN AND I DO REMEMBER THOSE DAYS WHEN HE CAME TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE HE WAS THE COMMISSIONER WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS OF TODAY´S SERVICE AS WELL AS GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER?

>> I THOUGHT THE SERVICE WAS VERY CLASSY.

I WAS HAPPY TO BE HERE AND BE A PART OF THIS SERVICE.

I HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER.

OR 1978 WHEN THE GOVERNOR WAS THEN AT THE COMMISSION OF HEALTH.

MY MOTHER WAS A NURSE WHO WORKED AT THE HOSPITAL.

I REMEMBER GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER AND THOSE DAYS WHEN HE CAME TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE HE WAS A COMMISSIONER BUT HE STILL HAD CLINICS AT THAT TIME.

AND WHEN THE GOVERNOR CAME IN, MY MOTHER LEFT FOR WORK EARLY.

EVERYTHING HAD TO BE IN ORDER.

EVERY TIME THE COMMISSIONER CAME IN , DR. SCHNEIDER CAME THERE, IT WAS A WHOLE PRODUCTION TO MAKE SURE THINGS WERE RIGHT WHEN HE GOT THERE.

YEARS LATER, I SERVED WITH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND I BECAME THE DEPUTY POLICE OF CHIEF AS WELL.

LATER ON , HE WAS MY PHYSICIAN AND HE HAD REFERRED ME TO MEMORIAL FOR FURTHER TREATMENT AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT .

I BECAME THE CHIEF OF POLICE UNDER HIM AND HE ALWAYS STAYED IN TOUCH.

DESPITE THE FIRMNESS, HE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SENT CHRISTMAS CARDS.

HE CALLED YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY.

I HAVE MANY PORTFOLIOS AND PENS THAT DR. SCHNEIDER MADE SURE I GOT.

WHEN YOU REPORTED TO HIS OFFICE WHEN HE WAS GOVERNOR, YOU WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS --AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE, HE LOVED UNIFORM.

WHENEVER HE CALLED OR WENT OVER, YOU WANTED TO MAKE SURE ALL YOUR BUTTONS WERE SHINING.

THE UNIFORM WAS BIG FOR HIM.

I REALLY ENJOYED WORKING FOR HIM AND EVEN AFTER HE LEFT THE GOVERNORSHIP, HE STILL MAKE A PHONE CALL AND CHECK ON ME.

I SERVED AS THE CHIEF OF POLICE, OF POLICE AND EVEN AS THE SENATOR AND HE ALWAYS MADE TIME TO MAKE A PHONE CALL.

I TRULY APPRECIATED HIM.

I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH HIS FAMILY CONDOLENCES ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE 35th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WISH HIM WELL IN HIS RESTING PLACE.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

SO MUCH OF WHAT YOU SAID BRINGS BACK MEMORIES.

HE WANTED THINGS IN ORDER.

PARENTS WANTED THINGS IN ORDER.

EVERYTHING THAT WE DID.

AND, YOU BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT HELPS.

I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THAT COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IT´S BEEN A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU HERE THIS MORNING.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING.

>> BLESS YOU.

>> AGAIN, WE ARE HEARING THE THEME OF THE EXCELLENCE OF GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER.

AND THE PRESIDENT IS RIGHT, HE LOVED UNIFORMS.

I REMEMBER AFTER HURRICANE MARY, HE WOULD RIDE IN AND HE CAME IN AN ABRAMS TANK ONE DAY, IN FATIGUES.

AND HE SAID THIS IS WHAT I´M ACCUSTOMED TO BECAUSE WE ARE REBUILDING.

THIS IS HOW WE DID IT IN THE MILITARY.

THAT´S A LOT OF WHO HE WAS.

>> THIS REALLY QUICKLY BEFORE OUR NEXT GUEST, I REMEMBER MY FIRST DAY GETTING READY TO GO FOR WORK FOR GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND MY FATHER LOOKED AT ME ALL DRESSED UP AND SAID, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO WORK FOR A CORPORATE TAKEOVER.

I SAID I´M GOING TO WORK FOR GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER.

IT´S THAT SAME UNIFORM THAT -- ALL OF THAT.

ALL OF THE DETAILS MATTERED.

>> WE ARE JOINED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

MADAME PRESIDENT, GOOD MORNING.

IT IS GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE ME, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE PAST PRESIDENT AND THAT AT THIS POINT, -- I CALLED YOU MADAME PRESIDENT AT THIS POINT.

IF YOU DON´T MIND.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS ON THE LEGACY OF GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER?

>> EVERYONE IS SAYING CONDOLENCES TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY HAVE LOST A GREAT MAN.

WE HAVE LOST A GREAT MAN.

AND I WILL GO FURTHER TO SAY, A LEGEND.

A VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGEND AND AN ICON.

MY REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTIONS OF GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER IS WHEN HE OFFERED ME THE POSITION TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT GOVERNOR .

I SERVED WITH THE LEAD JULIO AND THE LEAD ALBUS ONE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AND GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER EXPECTED GREATNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

SOMETIMES, WHEN I REFLECT ON THAT , I THINK WE DIDN´T REALLY UNDERSTAND IT.

WE DIDN´T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND GREATNESS AND PROFESSIONALISM.

HE WAS A STICKLER FOR GETTING THINGS DONE AND GETTING IT DONE TIMELY AND EFFECTIVELY.

MANY TIMES, I SEE MYSELF IN HIM BECAUSE I TOO AM A LEADER THAT BELIEVES IT´S IMPORTANT TO HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE WHILE LOVING THE PEOPLE, BUT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE, WHEN PEOPLE STEP ABLE TO SEE GREATNESS.

WE ARE A TERRITORY OF BLACK PEOPLE.

BLACK KINGS AND QUEENS.

AND THAT´S WHAT HE WANTED TO SEE.

OFTENTIMES, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HIS WORK AS A PHYSICIAN AND, OF COURSE, WE HEARD IT TODAY ABOUT HOW WHEN HE WALKED ON THE FLOORS OF THE HOSPITAL, THE ROYAL SNYDER HOSPITAL, FOLKS STARTED SCURRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DID THE RIGHT THING.

AND I WANT TO SEE A VIRGIN ISLANDS WHERE, WHEN LEADERS WALK INTO THE ROOM, THERE IS THAT LEVEL OF RESPECT.

SO, I´M HOPING THAT HIS LEGACY COULD BRING THAT BACK TO THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE WILL SEE IT ONE DAY.

IT´S GOING TO COME.

WE SEE IT COMING.

IT´S COMING.

GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER WAS A RENAISSANCE MAN.

HE WAS VERY TALENTED.

I RECALL HIM SINGING.

HE WAS A GREAT SINGER .

AND HE WAS A GREAT MUSICIAN.

HE ALSO PLAYED THE PIANO.

I´LL SHARE THIS WITH YOU, MY CHILDREN ARE HIS --I GUESS HIS --MY CHILDREN´S GRANDFATHER WAS HIS COUSIN.

THEY ARE THE DEGRAFFS .

WE SHARED A LOT OF TIME WITH HIM SO WE ARE GOING TO MISS HIM.

WHEN MY DAUGHTER DECIDED TO GO TO METALS MEDICAL SCHOOL, HE WAS VERY INFLUENTIAL.

SHE WANTED TO GO TO HOWARD UNIVERSITY.

BUT SHE DECIDED TO GO TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY.

SO HE WASN´T SO HAPPY ABOUT THAT BUT I KNOW HE WAS PROUD WHEN SHE BECAME A MEDICAL DOCTOR.

WE ARE GOING TO MISS HIM BUT HIS LEGACY AS A VIRGIN ISLANDER WHO WANTED GREATNESS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL LIVE ON FOREVER AND EVER.

AND I JUST WANT TO OFFER CONDOLENCES TO BARBARA AND THE REST OF FAMILY.

THE DEGRAFFS FAMILY HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE WANT TO THANK HIM FOR ALLOWING US TO DO WHAT WE DID HERE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AGAIN, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE THEME OF EXCELLENCE THAT KEEPS COMING UP AND WHY WOULDN´T HE WANT THAT FOR US?

THIS IS A YOUNG BOY HE FROM A TINY ISLAND ON THIS HUGE PLANET, AND THE DIFFERENCE THAT HE MADE IN THIS WORLD --HE MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE AND HERE IN THESE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE.

THAT IS WHAT IS HERE IN THESE ISLANDS AND IT´S TIME FOR US TO STEP UP AND CONTINUE HIS LEGACY.

>> MADAME PRESIDENT, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFLECTION BUT ALSO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

AND I KNOW, AS YOU GO INTO THE 35th FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THAT HAS BEEN SUCH A --IT HAS BEEN A MOVING DAY.

A MOVING AND INSPIRATIONAL DAY.

I CAN´T SAY IT ENOUGH.

>> IT WASN´T THE POIGNANCY OF TODAY , AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COULD SEE THE COFFIN COMING IN.

THE POIGNANCY OF THAT MOMENT WAS NOT LOST ON ME HERE.

YOU AND I ARE SITTING HERE.

WE SERVE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS UNDER GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER UNDER HIS ADMINISTRATION AND HERE WE ARE , TODAY, SERVING HIM ONCE AGAIN, IN THIS WAY.

NOT SOMETHING WE WOULD HAVE IMAGINED OR FORESEEN, YET, HERE WE ARE AND IT´S QUITE AN HONOR.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW IN LIFE.

SENATOR JAMES AND I --SHE ASCENDED WITH ME AND YOU MADE A POINT ABOUT HIM BEING FROM A SMALL ISLAND.

LOOK AT WHERE HE WAS.

>> HELLO.

>> DON´T MIND ME.

I´M JUST LISTENING.

>> WE ARE JOINED BY FORMER SENATOR JEANETTE --AND DURING THE SCHNEIDER ADMINISTRATION SHE WAS THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION .

WE WORKED TOGETHER.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU THIS MORNING.

>> UNDER BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES IT WOULD´VE BEEN NICER.

I´M HAPPY TO SEE YOU BOTH.

YES, WE SERVED AND IT WAS WHAT, A GENERATION AGO?

AND WE ARE STILL HERE.

I THINK HE WOULD BE VERY PROUD OF US AS WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SERVE OUR PROUD COMMUNITY AND, I´M GOING TO MISS HIM DEARLY.

HE BECAME REALLY AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR FAMILY AS I REPORTED TO THE NEWSPAPER.

MY HUSBAND AND I GOT MARRIED THERE.

HE WAS MY SON´S GODFATHER.

SO, IT WENT BEYOND JUST SERVING AN OFFICE.

MOST PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN OFFICE.

I´M SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT POST OFFICE BECAUSE OFTENTIMES, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, YOU CAN BECOME FORGOTTEN.

THEY HAVE PEOPLE AROUND THEM BUT IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE MIX, PEOPLE TEND TO FORGET YOU.

BUT BY THE SHOW OF PRESENCE TODAY, OUR GOOD GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER WAS NOT FORGOTTEN.

>> THAT´S HEARTWARMING.

LET´S HOPE FOR THE FAMILY -- >> YES.

I ACTUALLY HAD TO REMOVE MY MASK FOR MRS. SCHNEIDER TO RECOGNIZE ME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVEN´T SEEN ME SO LONG.

BUT LET ME JUST SAY THAT GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER REALLY DID MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.

EVERYBODY, I´M SURE, HE WAS VERY --YOU´VE GOT TO DO IT RIGHT OR JUST DON´T DO IT AT ALL.

BUT WITH A GOOD HEART AS WELL.

HE WAS ABLE TO PROVE IT AFTER THE HURRICANES IN 1995.

HE WAS RIGHT THERE AT THE AIRPORT DOING WHAT WAS NEEDED.

HE DEPLOYED ME OVER TO THE REEF AND WE HAD THE COMMUNICATION WORLD.

HE WAS BRIGHT AND HE WAS PRESENT.

MY BROTHER WHO PASSED AWAY SERVED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HE CALLED ME ONE DAY AND SAID, COULD YOU KEEP HIM IN THE OFFICE?

EVERY TIME HE GOES HIS WINDOW IS DOWN AND HE´S TELLING US WHAT´S WRONG AND WHAT WE GOT A FIX.

JUST KEEP HIM IN THE OFFICE.

>> THAT WAS GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER.

>> AND HE WAS ALWAYS A SPUR OF THE MOMENT.

GO GRAB YOUR OVERNIGHT BAG.

WITH HIM A LOT AND HIS WIFE , I REMEMBER, WERE YOU THERE WHEN JUSTICE GINSBURG WAS HERE?

THAT WAS A MOMENT BECAUSE HE WAS SO INTEGRAL INTO PROGRAM PLANNING THAT THE NIGHT BEFORE WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE BOOKLET AND THE PROGRAM AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AND THIS IS HOW YOU HAVE TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE.

SO I HAD MY NOTES.

COPIOUS NOTES.

THE DAY OF THE EVENT, I WENT OVER.

I SKIPPED HIM.

SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE SAID, OH, LET´S PRAY FOR JANETTE.

IT WAS NOT NICE.

HE WOULD DEFINITELY FORGIVE YOU AND HOW HE WAS THERE FOR PEOPLE --IT´S JUST SO MUCH, OBVIOUSLY.

AND LIKE HIS DAUGHTER SAID, WE COULD TALK ABOUT THIS ALL DAY LONG BUT WE DON´T HAVE THE TIME.

>> OF COURSE.

AND LISTENING TO YOU BRINGS BACK SO MANY MORE MEMORIES OF OUR TIME TOGETHER IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND INTERACTING WITH HIM NOT JUST DURING THE TIME OF WORK, BUT AFTER HOURS.

THE LATE DINNERS.

THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT.

I REMEMBER SPUR OF THE MOMENT WHEN MICHAEL JACKSON CAME AND DEVELOPING PROPERTY.

WE JUMPED ON A PLANE AND WENT TO ST. CROIX TO MEET HIM.

>> HE LEFT ME BEHIND FOR THAT TRIP.

BUT I WAS THERE FOR SO MANY WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS HERE.

ALWAYS WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

HE INVITED YOUNG PEOPLE TO GIVE PORTRAITS AND GIFTS .

TO GIVE A GIFT TO PRESIDENT CLINTON.

THERE WERE MANY INSTANCES AND THAT THE END OF THE DAY, IT DIDN´T STOP AT 5:00.

REALLY.

SO, HE WENT OVER AND THERE WERE THREE ADMINISTRATORS IN CROIX BECAUSE HE MEANT THAT EACH DISTRICT WITHIN THE DISTRICT WOULD HAVE THEIR OWN ADMINISTRATOR.

>> I REMEMBER ON MY FIRST DAY WITH HIM, HE WAS VERY SPECIFIC.

HE SAID THIS IS NOT A RIBBON- CUTTING POSITION.

I´VE PLACED THREE ADMINISTRATORS HERE ON ST. CROIX BECAUSE THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE.

HE SAID, YES SIR, LET´S GO.

>> THAT´S THE SPIRIT.

SENATOR JANETTE MILLIN YOUNG, IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE HAVING A DISCUSSION WITH YOU AND TALKING WITH YOU AND REFLECTING WITH YOU ON GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER.

AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE MEMORIES OF THE TIME WITH HIM WILL LAST .

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET TOGETHER BEFORE ANY OTHER -- AGAIN.

IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN AND MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL THOSE MISSING HIM RIGHT NOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES AND ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING.

>> THANK YOU.

IT´S MY PLEASURE.

>> IT´S BEEN WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU.

>> LESLIE, WE ARE ABOUT TO WRAP IT UP.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> I THOUGHT TODAY WAS QUITE A PERFECT TRIBUTE.

A FITTING TRIBUTE TO OUR FORMER GOVERNOR SCHNEIDER AND THE DOCTOR AND THE POLITICIAN AND THE MILITARY MAN.

THAT YOUNG BOY WHO GREW UP TO BE THE YOUNG MAN THAT WE CELEBRATED TODAY.

THE MAN WHO MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD.

IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH YOU AND WITH EVERYONE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, VIEWING TODAY.

>> I WOULD HOPE THAT PEOPLE WOULD REMEMBER SOME OF THE WORDS FROM TODAY FROM SUZANNE ABOUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WHAT THEY TAUGHT FOR.

NOT TOLERATING MEDIOCRITY AND RAISING UP THE NEXT YOUNG WHISTLER.

AND LIKE FATHER ABRAHAM SAID ABOUT WHAT HE HEARD ABOUT THE GOVERNOR, THAT PEOPLE WOULD REMEMBER THAT LEGACY AND NOT JUST ABOUT REMEMBERING IT, BUT LIVING THAT LEGACY.

>> LIVING IT.

BECAUSE, WE CAN SIT AND THINK AND DREAM , BUT YOU´VE GOT TO STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION.

YOU´VE GOT TO LIVE IT.

>> YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT.

I TOLD YOU, IT´S GREAT TO HAVE WONDERFUL IDEAS, BUT TO HAVE MONEY BEHIND IT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN --OTHERWISE IT´S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> WAS ONE OF HIS MODELS.

MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> IT HAS BEEN MY PLEASURE TO HAVE DONE --COHOSTED THIS BROADCAST WITH YOU .

TODAY HAS BEEN A MOMENTOUS DAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND IT IS MY PLEASURE TO HAVE BROUGHT THIS AUSPICIOUS OCCASION AS THE HOST OF THE CHRISTIAN BURIAL OF THE FIFTH ELECTED GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE LIVE COVERAGE FROM W TJX .

I WISH ALL OF YOU VIEWING WITH US TODAY, A GOOD DAY.

THANK YOU.

>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF W TJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR --