press releases 2008
Remarks by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a. i. Michele J. Sison on 25th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony for the Embassy Bombings
April 18, 2008
It is an honor for me to welcome you to this commemoration ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the April 18, 1983, terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy in downtown Beirut. Sadly, we are also commemorating today the October 23, 1983, devastation of the U.S. Marine barracks and the September 20, 1984, terrorist bombing of the Embassy annex building.
With us today are many former Embassy employees as well as families of our colleagues who served the United States and gave their lives as the tragic consequence of these horrendous attacks.
I was serving in my first tour as a newly-minted, twenty-something
young junior officer far away in Port-au-Prince, Haiti when these attacks occurred. But I still remember the horror we felt -- American and Foreign Service National staff alike -- many miles from Beirut, at what our sister Embassy had suffered.
The Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, David Welch, is here with us this morning. On that April day long ago, he was the Lebanon Desk Officer at the State Department in Washington. He knows well the pain our community suffered. U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Mike Valore, along with the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard, is here in remembrance of those who died supporting a peaceful mission to end years of strife. Colonel Valore’s brother was in the barracks at the time of the October 1983 attack but mercifully escaped death.
I am grateful that all of you are here.
In addition to our observance here in Beirut, later today in Washington D.C.
there will also be a commemorative ceremony hosted by Secretary Rice.
Our colleague Marina Chamma from the Economic Section will represent us there. Department of State officials, members of the U.S. Congress and prominent Lebanese-Americans will also pay tribute to those we lost.
President Bush has issued a statement praising the courage and sacrifices of the victims of the attacks in Beirut. He noted that today is a “somber but timely reminder of the great danger and sacrifice our diplomats and locally-employed staff bear in their service to the United States.”
In addition, the U.S. Congress has passed a resolution honoring the victims.
Our sister U.S. embassies throughout the world will join us in commemorating our losses with a moment of silence.
We remember today and every day, our colleagues, relatives, and friends who died at the hands of those terrorists during Lebanon’s terrible war years.
We are all honored that so many former colleagues and family members are here today and that you maintain your connection with the Embassy community.
Although our connections were formed through tragedy, we sustain them with affection and sincere gratitude.
All of us Americans currently posted at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut feel privileged to be serving in Lebanon during this particular time. We pass the stone memorial, engraved with the names of those no longer with us, every day. It reminds us that they came here to contribute to a strong and positive relationship between Lebanon and the United States.
The sign, mounted on a stone in front of the memorial flagpole, reads:
“Embassy United States of America.”
It was found in the rubble of the 1983 Embassy explosion and is believed to have been the sign used at Marine Post One. Our colleagues would have passed it each morning as they entered the Embassy. It is badly twisted, but the words can still be read.
None of us can pass the granite memorial without thinking about those who were lost and what they had hoped to accomplish here in Lebanon in building the ties between our countries. I am truly humbled by such dedication, and I know that all of the American staff here join me in feeling truly privileged to be working with you. Your dedication to working with us
is a testament to those who were lost. We are all grateful for your resolve and loyalty.
Just three months ago, two courageous colleagues, Dany Massoud and Bechara Badr, suffered in the January 15 attack on our Embassy vehicle.
We honored them recently at a ceremony at Tango Bunker, where the dramatic photo taken just moments after the attack now hangs. We are so glad to have them back with us at the Embassy.
What courage all of our Lebanese colleagues --past and present -- have!
Among our U.S. Mission family, there are those who were working that day at the Embassy and are still working with us. Many of them were wounded in the violent attacks. There are also colleagues who were the spouses of those who perished. This day of commemoration and remembrance has special meaning for them.
For all of us, it is fitting to recognize the sadness and the pain of our losses.
Now, I would like to ask everyone to RISE for a moment of silence for those whose lives were lost serving the United States.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Thank you.
Please be seated.
When we remember those we lost, we must also affirm the lives they had – and the ties we share as a community. Members of our Embassy community planned today’s special ceremony. They have found ways for us to remember and celebrate the memories of those lost.
I would like to thank the Notre Dame University choir, under the direction of Father Khalil Rahme, for the beautiful music. The Embassy Employee committee designed a commemorative coin and lapel pin for today’s event.
In addition, the bright and colorful poster, created by children of Lebanese employees of the U.S. Embassy, reminds us of the continuity of life. I was there on the Saturday morning when they got the paints out. Let me tell you, there is nothing more poignant than watching young ones put onto paper, their thoughts on peace and friendship between the U.S. and Lebanon.
While we think about these appalling past events, we want also to recognize and recommit to the long-standing partnership between Lebanon and the United States. We are a diverse Embassy community working together – our diversity strengthens us. It is the same strength that Lebanon has – a diverse community working together to face a number of challenges. Despite these tragic past events that we commemorate today, the relationship between the United States and Lebanon is an enduring one which will create a future of peace, stability, and hope. The firm relationship between the Lebanese and American people will ensure that a secure, united, sovereign and prosperous Lebanon will exist.
Thank you all for being here today to remember our colleagues and for reaffirming our friendship.
