Speeches and Remarks
Ambassador Christopher R Hill Memorial Day Remarks
U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
May 25, 2009
We are gathered together on this early Monday morning -- this Memorial Day -- to pay tribute to, to honor, and especially to remember those who have fallen in this war in Iraq. So many of our compatriots from so many corners of our country found their last place of rest in this land. And it is a place so distant in so many ways from our own. We honor these compatriots and we remember them. We grieve their loss and we comfort their loved ones.
And we also derive from this loss our own sense of duty and obligation to continue their work, and to assure that their sacrifice was not in vain. We know the road ahead in building this relationship with the Republic of Iraq will be long and will continue to have its painful twists and turns. But we also know that we must complete the task, so that our forces still in this country over six years since they were first committed can return home.
Whether the Iraqis ultimately decide that they want democracy, whether they want to respect rule of law, have a market economy, and be governed by effective and responsive institutions is entirely up to them. It is their country. But whether they have the help they need, whether they have the support, good will, the positive energy and the sense of optimism they will need to complete that journey will be in a certain sense up to us and to our sense of devotion and commitment. We are most fortunate that all of these, our country has in blessed abundance.
Our embassy will remain, and whether each of us has one day, or one week, one month, or one year to remain here, we must assure that these tasks are fulfilled and this mission is indeed finally accomplished.
So it is important and fitting to take pause from our busy lives to pay respect to those who are no longer with us, but who very much remain with us in spirit, and imbibe us with the strength we will need in the difficult times ahead.
Please join me in a moment of silence.