ORANJESTAD – During this year’s Ribbon Rain ceremony on St. Eustatius, long-time volunteer Clyde Ulrich Spanner was awarded the Member of the Order of Oranje-Nassau for his decades of dedicated service to the island community.
Island Governor Alida Francis highlighted Spanner’s lifelong commitment to music, the church, and youth development, describing him as a “musician, mentor, volunteer, and a quiet pillar of faith and service.”
Spanner, known for his passion for teaching and leadership in the School Orchestra, was genuinely surprised to be the recipient, even as he had come to the ceremony simply to perform, as he has done many times before.
Tradition
The decoration was part of the broader Kingdom-wide tradition of recognizing citizens who make significant voluntary contributions to society.
