Veteran and Well-Known Businessman on St. Croix is Honored on Veterans Day

ST. CROIX — Veteran Angel E. Diaz Jr. paused for a moment Thursday during his speech accepting an honor bestowed upon him by the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs as part of the Veterans Day commemoration on St. Croix. He was preceded by numerous laudations from speakers who highlighted Mr. Diaz's lifelong commitment to service as well as his success as a businessmen.

"I'm overwhelmed with gratitude in receiving this honor today," he stated in remarks at a podium erected adjacent to the La Reine Chicken Shack, which he co-owns. "As I stand here and receive this honor, I also thank all the veterans who unselfishly place their lives on the line for our freedom."

According to information provided in a program booklet, Mr. Diaz, 50, was born in Vieques, Puerto Rico. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training on April 5, 1990. Mr. Diaz was an airborne infantryman and was stationed in Kitzigen, Germany. He participated in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Sandy Cocktail and the Gulf War, among other important missions during his four-year tour.

When he returned to St. Croix in 1994, he became a police officer where he served for 20 years. In 1998 he was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Agency/High Drug Intensity Task Force (DEA/HIDTA), which saw the veteran taking part in many federal and local investigations.

On Sept. 1, 2001, Mr. Diaz along with his father Angel E. Diaz Sr. and Alex and Robert Leguillou, purchased the former Junnies BBQ now known as the La Reine Chicken Shack. Today, the establishment remains one of the most successful restaurants in the Virgin Islands.