Remarks by U.S. Ambassador George L. Argyros to Embassy Community, September 11, 2002
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Ambassador Argyros addresses Embassy
community at U.S. Embassy ceremony to remember victims of terrorist attacks
of September 11, 09/11/02 |
Good morning. Thank you all for
coming today. Most of you were here almost a year ago when this tree was
planted. It was put here so that we, and colleagues who come to this place
after us, will remember the events of September 11, 2001, the thousands of
innocent people who died that day and the heroes who stepped forward without
hesitation to protect our lives and defend our values.
In that same spirit, president Bush has designated today in America as Patriot's
day, a special day to remember and honor those who perished a year ago and the
heroism and compassion with which others responded.
Later today, I will have the privilege of representing
president Bush and the United States at two additional events commemorating September 11th, one at the
Plaza de Colón and another at the Casa de América.
Both events are examples of the universal nature of this tragedy and how the
memories and pain of September 11th do not belong to americans alone.
However, for us right here, right now, this is a family
affair. and even as we rejoice in the heroism and the very best in the human
spirit that also shone brightly on that dark day a year ago—in New York city -
Washington, D.C. - and Somerset county, Pennsylvania — we shall not forget the
thousands of innocent lives lost and the awful hatred that inspired those
terrible acts of murder.
Put most simply, we’re here today to remember the
unforgivable and honor the unforgettable. We’ve invited two colleagues to tell
us something about two dear relatives who died on September 11 in New York:
Colin Cleary, who was to become the brother in law of Beth Logler and Sr. José Luis San Pío, father of
Silvia San Pío Resta. I hope that as we listen and, in
some small way, get to know Beth and Silvia, we will better grasp in a more
personal way and on a more human scale the terrible event of September 11.
As president Bush said in his statement: "those whom we lost last September 11
will forever hold a cherished place in our hearts and in the history of our
nation.”
Also joining us today are representative of those who protect us: a United
States Marine Security Guard; an officer of Spain's Guardia Civil; a
representative of Samur, Madrid's medical emergency response team; a
representative of Madrid's bomberos or firefighters; and two representatives of
our own embassy civilian Guard Force. We will never again take for granted the
presence and protection of these men and women who guard us here in Madrid. They
stand ready, as the events of September 11 in America demostrated so tragically,
to risk their lives daily so that others might live.
Our embassy commemoration is a truly binational event.
Without question, the attack on America one year ago was an attack on the values
of our civilization, values fully shared by Spain and the United States.
Moreover, as we all know, the people of Spain have long suffered themselves from
the crimes of terrorists. Spaniards know especially well the horror,
heartbreak and revulsion that terrorism engenders. Whatever the supposed
“cause” in whose name murder is done, there is never justification for such
terrible acts, in the eyes of god or of mankind. And so, Spain and the United
States are firmly united: in our determination and commitment to resist
terrorists and to build a better, more just, world in which terror has no place.
As we stand here, the sun has not yet risen in America.
There, September 11, 2002, will be a day to look back and remember, a day to
grieve, a day to express thanks and a day to celebrate our patriotism.
President Bush has reminded us that, from the tragedy of September 11th, a
stronger America has emerged, “renewed by a spirit of national pride and a trued
love of country.”
Here, in this garden, by this tree, let us begin by hearing
the stories of Beth and Silvia. By remembering them, we affirm our
commitment to oppose terrorism wherever it occurs. We strengthen the partnership between
our two countries. With president Bush, we remember “our collective
obligation to ensure that justice is done, that freedom prevails, and that the
principles on which our nation was founded endure.”
Thank you.
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