Events 2008
Remarks by U.S. Charge d'Affaires
Michael Gallagher
May 25, 2008
Margraten, the Netherlands
General Blomjous, Foreign Minister Verhagen,
General Eikenberry, Governor Frissen
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Honored veterans and relatives of those who have fallen,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As the representative of the United States to the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands, I speak to you today proudly, but with great humility, as we meet to commemorate 8,302 American and allied soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice six decades ago. They died liberating this country and now lie forever in these fields, generously provided to us by the people of the Netherlands, and for which I thank you, especially the citizens of Limburg, for preserving the memory of their sacrifices.
The United States shares a long history of common values and friendship with the Dutch; in fact, our friendship goes back to before there was a country called the United States of America. In the 17th Century, the good Dutch people of New Amsterdam wrote and adopted the first document on religious freedom in America, and later it was the Netherlands who first recognized and supported the new nation called the United States. So it is no surprise that we were allies once again in the Second World, or that our close relations have continued through the years of the Marshall Plan and beyond.
At the end of the Second World War, before the Netherlands American Cemetery existed, much of Europe was in ruins. Only Germany, I am told, suffered greater destruction than the Netherlands.
Things must have looked bleak in 1945, and many must have wondered if all the blood and sacrifice that bought our freedom was worth it. Knowing the wonderful country and society you have today, and the great friendship we continue to enjoy, I can say with absolute certainty – yes, it was. However terrible the cost, the goal was noble and the debt we owe those who died for it is eternal. They died, as many others did elsewhere, to ensure the blessings of those things we hold most dear, things we in fact believe to be the universal birthright of humanity – or as president Roosevelt, a son of Zeeland, said in 1941, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear.
Their sacrifice to achieve these freedoms should remind us all these freedoms came at a great cost. And it reminds me that unfortunately, whether we wish to or not, sometimes we still pay that cost to ensure these freedoms continue.
The soldiers buried here have been followed by others in later generations fighting for the same great purposes, and on this occasion we honor them all.
Americans celebrate Memorial Day tomorrow, acknowledging the debt we owe to the men and women who fight on our behalf and who embody our finest virtues. Memorial Day was first established to remember the many Americans – both Yankees and Confederates – who died in our Civil War.
And since World War One, Memorial Day has honored all those who love America dearly, by serving our country no matter where it has taken them, even to foreign shores. Those who served love freedom, so much so that they sacrificed their own lives to defend it. And they also proudly defended even those citizens who disagreed with them.
Tomorrow, President Bush will lay a wreath and speak at Arlington National Cemetery to mark the occasion of Memorial Day. Over the years, no American President has better described the final resting place of those who served and died so bravely than President Lincoln at Gettysburg when he said: “But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”
No one wants war. But we do recognize that sometimes force is necessary. As John Stuart Mill said: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free...."
In the 21st century as in the 20th and before, America relies on her sons and daughters to defend her liberty; and our friends and allies around the world can still count on our assistance when theirs is threatened. The cost can be high, but we remain willing to pay it.
And we pay it not thoughtlessly or recklessly, but with deep reverence and thanks to those who risk their futures to protect ours. We know that in the years to come, more men and women will be called to sacrifice in the line of duty. We include them in our thoughts and prayers today.
I would especially like to recognize Colonel James Magellas, a veteran of the Dutch campaign and the most decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division. Thank you Colonel, it's a privilege to have you with us on this occasion.
Many others have a special relationship with the Netherlands American Cemetery, of course, and no organization is more committed to Margraten than the Dutch Grave Adoption Association.
On behalf of all of us, I would like to recognize them as well for their dedicated service over the years.
Finally let me express my deep gratitude to the brave sons and daughters of Dutch families who serve in many lands and who recognize as we do that freedom and justice in far corners of the world deserve our support and assistance.
Thank you.