2007 Marine Ball
Former U.S. Ambassadors to Argentina
Ambassador Wayne's Speech
AMBASSADOR’S SPEECH AT THE MARINE BALL
Buenos Aires
November 11, 2007
Admiral Ansoatigue, General Croley, ladies and gentlemen:
I’d like to welcome all of you to the 232nd Marine Corps Anniversary Ball. I extend special welcome to Admiral ANZOATIGUI, the Commandant of the Argentine Marine Corps. Thank you for helping us to celebrate our own Marines this evening, Admiral. And I would like to warmly welcome the many other Argentine military officials and friends who honor us with their presence tonight. We are also honored to have with us Brigadier General CROLEY, Commander of the U.S. Marine Forces in the U.S. Southern Command.
Before I continue my remarks, I would like to read to you a message from Secretary of State Rice:
On behalf of the Department of State, I extend my best wishes and sincere congratulations to the United States Marine Corps on your 232nd anniversary on November 10.
Throughout its history, the Marine Corps has played a key role in ensuring the safety and the success of our nation and in protecting our liberty. For this we thank all Marines, particularly those who have laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism.
For nearly 60 years, Marine Corps Embassy Security Guards have served our nation with distinction and honor, protecting our missions and personnel in the most dangerous places in the world. More than 1,200 Marines are serving shoulder-to-shoulder with American diplomats in 149 of our embassies and consulates around the globe.
The Marines are there to greet the first of our diplomats to arrive for work in the morning, and they are there to say good night when the last of our diplomats head home.
The men and women at our embassies and consulates appreciate your devotion, courage, and service. I stand proudly with them in thanking you for your crucial contribution to diplomacy and in wishing you a happy birthday. America is a stronger nation thanks to the commitment and dedication of our Marines.
Semper Fidelis,
Condoleezza Rice
It is an honor for me to share in this special anniversary celebration. It is an occasion to express our great respect and heartfelt appreciation for the mission of the U.S. Marine Corps and particularly the key role that they play in defending U.S. diplomatic missions around the world.
Many of these young men are serving in some of the most difficult and dangerous countries and in the midst of deadly combat. They don’t choose their battlefields, but they do choose their service. They know that they will be asked to sacrifice, and they do so willingly, selflessly, and with great devotion.
From the battles of our war of independence to the campaigns today in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Marines have served gallantly. That demonstrated courage has been based in their commitment to the values of freedom and liberty upon which our republic, our democracy and our way of life are based. For this sacrifice and service, we all give sincere thanks.
I particularly express appreciation to those who have stood on the frontlines of diplomacy with the U.S. Foreign Service and the other members of our embassy teams. Whether it is through the horrendous disasters of embassy bombings or other attacks such as the assault on our consulate in Jeddah, or in the everyday challenges of assuring security, we deeply appreciate the service of our Marine Corps detachments. Thank You!
I also want to highlight some other aspects of our Marine’s service. They are our good colleagues and friends.
As Secretary Rice points out, they greet us and say goodnight to us, every embassy workday, leaving us confident in the knowledge that they will be at the embassy 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep it secure.
The Marines invite us to relax with them on Friday nights and on holidays at their residence. They invite us to join them for sports. Some of my warmest memories of my first overseas post in Morocco are joining the Marines to listen to the most recent music and dance on Friday evenings (I think I still have a party audio cassette from the Marines in Rabat.) And, I have excellent memories of many in the embassy community joining the Marines in softball games on Sunday afternoons.
Here in Buenos Aires, beyond the music and sports, I have also seen another very special face of the Marines: their devotion to helping others. The detachment has given special attention to the community outreach and charity.
The centerpiece of their efforts has been the “Toys for Tots” foundation. Since 1947, the U.S. Marines have collected and distributed toys for needy children in the U.S. and in many parts of the world. The mission of “bringing the joy of Christmas and delivering a message of hope to disadvantaged children” is alive and active in Buenos Aires.
Top Sergeant Chacon and our Marine Security Guard detachment work closely with Continental Airlines on a charity golf tournament that raises money for the Toys for Tots program. They collect toys directly for this program, and then they distribute the toys collected and purchased to needy children. I had the honor to accompany our Marines on one distribution of toys at a public children’s hospital in Buenos Aires. I saw directly the happiness that this outreach brings.
This reputation for charitable service has spread, generating opportunities for the Marines to help support work at a shelter for abused women and children and to work with the “Send a Child to School” NGO to prepare goods for distribution to poor children. The goodwill from these and other activities is priceless.
Again, welcome to our celebration of the 232nd birthday of the United States Marine Corps. During this evening’s festivities, please take a moment to thank our Marines for all of their service. They are invaluable members of our team, working with all of us here at Embassy Buenos Aires to demonstrate what is best about the United States. Thank you.