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Remarks at the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony

Ambassador-Designate William C. Eacho III

U.S. Embassy Vienna, September 11, 2009

As delivered

Ambassador-Designate William C. Eacho III delivering remarks

Foreign Ministry Director Rauscher, Ambassador Davies, Chargé Fuller, colleagues and friends: Good morning, and thank you for coming.

I would also like to welcome Herbert Ouida, from New Jersey, who is with us today. He and his wife lost their son Todd in the attacks of September 11, 2001. Todd, 25, was working in the north tower of the World Trade Center. Mr. Ouida, who is visiting Vienna, contacted the Embassy to ask if he might attend today's ceremony. We are honored, sir, that you did.

Not many events in history are so profound that they become defined by their date, but we all remember where we were and what we were doing eight years ago when we learned that something horrible - something incomprehensible - had occurred in the United States.

In a series of terrorist attacks, hijacked airliners used as missiles brought down the World Trade Center towers and slammed into the Pentagon.

Heroic passengers on a fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, forced it to crash in a Pennsylvania field before it reached its target. Thousands of innocent Americans and citizens of many other nations lost their lives in this long-planned, coordinated attack.

In many ways, the events of September 11, 2001, were a turning point, and none of us were left untouched. It is a day that many of us still try to fully comprehend.

(from left to right) Marines, Herbert Ouida, Charge d'Affaires a.i. Carol Fuller (U.S. Mission to the OSCE), Glyn Davies (U.S. Ambassador/UNVIE), Mag. Isabel Rauscher (Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs), Ambassador-Designate William C. Eacho III

We come together this morning to remember all of the victims of September 11, 2001. In working in their offices or boarding a plane, they were doing no more than going about their daily lives. None of the victims - nor their friends, families, and colleagues - deserved what happened to them. And we are all aware that their unjust fate could have been ours.

But we also recall with pride that many people - friends, coworkers, fellow citizens - demonstrated both kindness and strength on that day.

We remember how firefighters raced into the burning World Trade Center towers to rescue others, and how many of these brave responders perished.

We remember how service members and civilians at the Pentagon helped their wounded colleagues, and how many came to work the next day, determined to keep serving.

We remember the outpouring of sympathy and solidarity that touched us from countries and friends around the world.

We also observe that the terror attacks of 9/11 failed. Our country remains a vibrant and open democracy. Immigrants continue to arrive on our shores, as do businesspeople, students, and tourists.

Moreover, the United States remains engaged with the world, looking for ways to work with partners to meet the pressing challenges of our time.

Eight years after 9/11, of course, we know that the struggle to defeat violent extremists and their supporters is far from over.

Today we also honor the continued sacrifice of fellow countrymen and women and allies in this struggle, as they strive to help Afghanistan and other troubled nations become stable and live in peace. Their efforts benefit us all.

I know Ambassador Davies and Chargé Fuller join me in thanking all of you gathered here for your own service since 9/11.

Whether you have served in Afghanistan, in another conflict zone or in some calmer place, and whether you are locally employed or an American citizen, your efforts have directly helped the United States of America to carry out its policies and defend its interests during difficult times.

The United States owes all of you - and, in many cases, your families - a debt of gratitude. September 11th, as some here may know, has been officially designated the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

In this regard, Mr. Ouida's presence here is also most appropriate. He and his wife established a memorial fund in their son's memory to help children who face the same type of disabilities that challenged Todd as a child. Thank you, too, Mr. Ouida for your own service to improve our society. At FBI Headquarters in Washington a few months ago, President Obama discussed government service in today's post-9/11 environment, and some of his remarks apply to all of us.

"What makes the United States of America so special, "President Obama said, "is precisely the fact that we are willing to uphold our values and our ideals not just when it's easy, but when it's hard..."

And the President added: "We've been called to service in such a time."

Eight years later, we remember the victims of 9/11 - but we also recall how Americans and our friends around the world came together that day.

Let us renew that spirit of common service and continue to stand up for the enduring values that we all cherish. Let us honor that memory and embrace our freedom.

Thank you.

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