Embassy Press Release

Remarks of Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman on the Ocassion of Memorial Ceremony at American Heroes Monument

In the presence of Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman (R), two romanian soldiers are laying down a wreath at the American Heroes Monument in Cismigiu Park. The monument praises the memory of the 378 American airmen who lost their lives on the Romanian territory during World War II. Bucharest, May 29, 2008 (Lucian Crusoveanu, Public Diplomacy Office)

On May 29, Ambassador Nicholas Taubman attended a memorial ceremony at the Monument of the American Heroes in Cismigiu Park, Bucharest. On the music of “Taps” played by the Romanian Military Band and escorted by the U.S. Defense Attaché, Col. Bruce West, the Ambassador laid a wreath to honor the 378 U.S. servicemen who lost their lives in Romania during the Second World War. The audience observed a moment of silence in the honor of the American Servicemen. The Monument of the American Heroes was inaugurated in 2002, in Cismigiu Park. In 2006, the monument was refurbished and placed in a more visible position. The monument praises the memory of the 378 American airmen who lost their lives on the Romanian territory during World War II. The monument was erected with the support of the Romanian NGO International French-Romanian Foundation and the US Embassy to Bucharest. Related info: • Memorial Day Holiday Honors American War Dead

Ambassador Taubman (L) speaks at the Memorial Ceremony at American Heroes Monument. Bucharest, May 29, 2008.

- RELATED INFO -

Memorial Day Holiday Honors American War Dead Non-citizen Soldiers deserve our highest respect [ .PDF file, 386 Kb. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader ]

Cismigiu Park, Bucharest,
May 29, 2008

Secretary of State Dobritoiu;
Military Attaches and other distinguished members of the diplomatic corps;
And, especially, veterans:

Family and friends have already gathered across the United States to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend as the beginning of the summer holiday season. Picnics, excursions to the beach, and backyard gatherings are familiar events that mark this day across America.

Nonetheless, it is also important to remember that we must never take for granted the noble and solemn foundation to this Memorial Day of celebration.

Our fundamental freedoms and rights -- the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness inscribed at America’s birth – were and are defended and protected daily by enormous sacrifices made by America’s soldiers, sailors, and airmen whom we revere and honor today.

Allow me to give some context for why we celebrate Memorial Day.

Like many great American accomplishments, Memorial Day was the product of individual initiative 140 years ago, for holding services and testimonials for those who died during the American Civil War.

After World War I, Memorial Day observances began honoring those who had died in all of America’s wars, and now on this day we pay homage to our fallen warriors, and commemorate not only their sacrifice but also to celebrate life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by presenting our tribute to those who made these freedoms most precious and most dear.

Today we stand before the Monument of the American Heroes here in Cismigiu Park honoring U.S. servicemen – mostly airmen, many of whom remain unidentified -- who here in Romania gave their lives in defense of their nation in World War II. This monument, like its sister in Sinaia, both sculpted in tribute to these heroes by Mr. Remus Botar is the perfect setting for us to pause and reflect on the significance of this day.

We honor our warriors this Memorial Day by pledging ourselves against apathy and pessimism that would seek to deny to the next generation the opportunity for self-improvement, or for fulfilling the dreams of those who have worked and sacrificed to make this life worthy of greatness.

Today we honor those who have fallen in pursuit of something greater than themselves, and in doing so honor those who through vigilance continue to make this life something profoundly virtuous.

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