“Yesterday, September 11, 2011, in ceremonies like this, Americans mourned those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks ten years ago. And we remembered the victims of terrorism around the world. Today, we raise the flag, and go back to work – just as we went back to work ten years ago. The symbolism of this moment is important. Because the ideology of terrorism is not strong; it is weak. And the strongest weapon in the arsenal of the terrorist is not the death or injury he brings to the innocent people he tries to attack. It is the fear he hopes to instill in the rest of us – fear that will cause us to change the way we live. Thus, the strongest defense that we can show against terrorism is to live our lives as we always do, to hold our heads high, to go back to work. I have great admiration for how the Russian people embody this trait. Sadly, Jocelyn and I have been here now for two separate bombings in the Moscow Metro. But it has been a source of inspiration to see how, the next day, the Metro is again open, filled with hundreds of thousands of people returning to normal life.
Our work here at this Embassy, Americans and Russians alike, is an ongoing effort to find effective ways to bring our governments and our people closer together – to show a strong and united face to those weak forces who try to threaten us, to make us fearful. We have made great progress over the past ten years in building that strong and unified partnership between us. And now it’s time to go back to work and continue to build on what we have already achieved.”
After a moment of silence and a few song by the Men Jewish Choir Ambassador Beryle made his speech, we raised the flag from half mast, and went back to work.
God Bless the U.S.A.
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