Louise "Goddie" van Putten (85), a former captain and now St. Eustatius Girls Brigade’s oldest member, hoisted flags to signal the start of King’s Day activities, as the Dutch Anthem – Het Wilhelmus – was sung at Fort Oranje on Thursday morning. Van Putten, who will celebrate her birthday on May 3, was assisted by Commissioner Ernie Simmons, Jr., who is also a captain in the brigade. Het Wilhelmus was sung by Tayana Spanner, and the Golden Rock Song was rendered by Ishn Courtar.
The day’s festivities, not dampened by the overcast weather, saw the St. Eustatius Boys and Girls Brigades, Garfield Pathfinders Club, St. Eustatius Adventurer's Club and NuStar firefighters march into Fort Oranje. After the flags were hoisted, the groups marched from Fort Orange and through the streets of Oranjestad ending at the stage across from Charlie's Theater.
