Speech
Veterans Day Remarks
Ambassador Miriam K. Hughes
November 11, 2008
Today we honor the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their service has been vital in maintaining peace, stability and the authentically free and diverse ways of life enjoyed by the peoples of our nations. We recognize these extraordinary Americans and Micronesians for their courage. They have shouldered great responsibility and lived up to the highest standards of duty.
To properly reflect on the awesome dimensions of their discipline and their gut-wrenching valor -- often far from home and in the dawn of their lives -- requires us to pause. Let us take a moment now to breathe deeply and shed our daily preoccupations. This moment of solemn pride recognizes what our veterans have done for us, including over many decades.
Veterans Day, as Americans call this commemoration, originated in 1918. On November 11 of that year at 11:00 am – that is, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – an armistice suspended active hostilities and effectively ended the First World War. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, the first Armistice Day. He expressed gratitude for the heroism and the victory that gave America the opportunity to show our sympathy with peace and justice among all nations.
Today the free and sovereign Federated States of Micronesia stands proudly with us. In 2004, President Urusemal approved an act of Congress to establish a national holiday for FSM Veterans of Foreign Wars. Four years later, we are today proud witnesses and participants in another hallmark occasion. For the first time in history, the FSM Government under President Emanuel Mori has stepped forward to host its own national ceremony to commemorate FSM citizens serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. As we join hands in a common purpose, we feel so proud of your initiative and partnership. We particularly recognize the hard, enthusiastic work of the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs, which made possible today’s historic arrangements.
President Dwight Eisenhower also broke new ground when he issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation in 1954. World War Two had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in our nation’s history, and after that, American forces fought aggression in Korea. Today, the Veterans Day Proclamation of President George Bush declares: “From the fields and forests of war-torn Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia, from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, brave service members have protected our ideals, rescued millions from tyranny, and helped spread freedom around the globe.”
Our country is forever indebted to all our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service. We particularly honor the Micronesians’ heroism and generous contributions. And in a few moments, the Pohnpei State Government is about to do something extraordinary. On behalf of Governor John Ehsa, Acting Governor Churchill Edward will authorize an agreement to dedicate a Pohnpei state building as a headquarters for veterans’ activities. The United States Embassy, along with veteran volunteer leaders in Pohnpei, has been a proud partner in this innovative effort. We urge all our veterans to rally together and seize the day. Let us work together to make your new Pohnpei headquarters shine as a beacon that provides a base to support your needs and to attract others to service.
As we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that our veterans have given us, it is a special privilege on November 11, 2008 to participate in a dignified program hosted by the Federated States of Micronesia. The legions of men and women in the Armed Forces, who have worked side by side like family and put their lives on the line for humanity — our Partners in Peace and Progress — have earned our profound respect and gratitude.