St. John villa gives service families a quiet place

One St. John resident is showing her appreciation for men and women who serve our country while promoting tourism in a generous way.

Lee Morris, owner of Sugar Bird Nest villa, offers veterans who stay in her rental unit a hefty discount — they pay for two nights and get five nights free.

The idea came to Morris in late 2008 when she was moved by an e-mail she received — it closed with the statement, “When you are writing out your Christmas cards this year, send one to a Recovering Serviceman at Walter Reed Army Hospital.” The hospital address was also given, so Morris said she decided to send not just one card, but a dozen. A few days later, she remembered the recovering service men and women and sent another dozen cards to the hospital. In each card, she invited its recipient to come stay at her rental apartment for a week for free to “rest and recuperate.”

Several weeks later, Christmas had passed, and all the cards she had sent came back stamped as “undeliverable.” A “shocked, horrified and very very angry” Morris says she fumed for days until it dawned on her that she could offer her rental apartment at a discounted rate to service men and women on her websites at www.vrbo.com and www.sugarbirdnest.com.

The special gives veterans a seven-night stay at the villa for the price of two. She charges only to help pay the costs of the cleaning service and electricity, as well for flower arrangements and gift baskets that help make her guests feel more at home.

Three military couples have now taken advantage of the special, and Morris says it has been a blessing to share her island with people who have given up so much to serve.

“The life they lead is stunning,” Morris said. “And it takes them a whole lot of time to slow down, smell the roses and relax. So I thought this place would be one of the best places in the world to do all that — especially since the speed limit is only 20 miles per hour.”

Honeymooners David and Mandy LaCerte have been Morris’ guests since Saturday. Visiting from Baton Rouge, La., the couple said they chose St. John because it is less developed than other destinations but also offers great shopping and dining. Sugar Bird Nest, says David LaCerte, is the only place he found on St. John that offers discounts to men and women in uniform.

“I thought that was thoughtful and nice,” said LaCerte. “You don’t come come across people, especially in today’s economy, willing to cut deals.”

The former platoon sergeant served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, four years in active duty and four years in the Reserves. He joined the military right out of high school, and while on active duty spent time in Africa as well as completing a nine-month tour in Iraq and Afghanistan that ended in 2003. LaCerte says he considers himself lucky for not being called back to active duty while serving in the Reserves.

“It had its ups and downs,” said LaCerte of his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The good times were really good and the bad times were really bad.”

LaCerte says he joined the military both because of his family’s history of service and for an opportunity to see the world. And while he has been to many countries, this is both he and his wife’s first time in the Caribbean.

The couple says they are enjoying the stunning views of Pillsbury Sound from Sugar Bird Nest and the relaxing pace of St. John. They have visited several beaches and have been sailing, and plan to do some hiking as well. Mandy LaCerte, an inner-city high school English teacher, braved her fear of what is under the sea to snorkel for the first time, and says she had fun despite all the water she swallowed.

“It’s been so much fun,” she said.

The LaCertes also had much praise for Morris, who they say has been a genuine and gracious host.

For Morris, the gift of sharing her home is meeting strangers who become family. She hopes spreading word of what she is doing will inspire owners of other rental properties to do the same.

“What a wonderful thing that would be, if we could be noted for our good works for our service men and women,” she said.

— Contact Genevieve Ryan at 774-8772 ext. 340 or e-mail gryan@dailynews.vi.

Sign up for Text Alerts

Sign up for e-mail newsletters