Speeches and Articles
Independence Day Remarks by Charge d’ Affaires ad interim Thomas Countryman
July 6, 2007
The original speech was delivered both in Greek and English.
Many thanks to the Color Guard of the US Marine Corps, the world’s greatest fighting force, and to you, Nick Greanias, and the group from Yale University, the Whim ‘n Rhythm, for those moving renditions of the Greek and American national anthems.
[originally delivered in Greek] Ministers, Ambassadors, Members of Parliament, Mayors, Your Reverence Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theofilos, Representative of the PASOK Party Mr. Pangelos, distinguished guests, good friends, welcome.
On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, I welcome you tonight to our new Embassy annex, which we dedicated in May to provide improved services in a more comfortable environment to Greeks and Americans.
[English] Now, as is traditional all over the world, I begin our celebration of Independence Day by reading from our President’s July 4 proclamation.
I send greetings to Americans everywhere celebrating Independence Day.
Two hundred thirty-one years ago, 56 brave men signed their names to a bold creed of freedom that set the course of our Nation and changed the history of the world. On this anniversary, we remember the great courage and conviction of our Founders, and we celebrate the enduring principles of our Declaration of Independence.
Through selfless sacrifice and unrelenting determination, the patriots of the American Revolution ensured that our Nation's claim to liberty and equality would not be dismissed or forgotten. The ideals they fought for and the country they helped establish are lasting symbols of hope to the entire world.
God bless you, and may He bless our wonderful country.
Signed, GEORGE W. BUSH
The President also issued a special proclamation on March 25, for Greek Independence Day. Greece’s independence is the only foreign nation’s independence which is officially celebrated in the U.S., so let me read to you what our President said on that day:
The United States and Greece share a long friendship built on common values and an abiding love for freedom. On Greek Independence Day, we underscore the warm ties between our countries, recognize the Greek Americans who enrich our society, and commemorate the anniversary of modern Greece.
I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2007, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
[Greek] In my career as a diplomat, I’ve been fortunate to celebrate American Independence Day around the world. As you know, every year on July 4…and sometimes, like tonight, on July 6 if necessary…we American citizens gather together, wherever we may be, to proudly celebrate our national anniversary.
But, for me, tonight is even more special, because this year I will have the opportunity to celebrate the national day of my country in the cradle of democracy, Greece.
And every year on March 25, Greece also celebrates its independence. It is the day that, as Greeks, you honor your ancestors who gave you your freedom through their heroic struggle. Likewise, we honor today our own ancestors, the heroes of the American revolution who gave us our independence.
For each of our countries, independence was a starting point. Eleven years after the Declaration of Independence, James Madison penned the first line of the U.S. Constitution: “We, the People of the United States, in order to former a more perfect Union…”
Today, we as citizens of democratic societies, celebrate our freedom but honoring our responsibilities; express our views freely but respect the views of others; respect the government’s authority but question its use; and we recognize that we are not perfect, but always try to get closer to the perfection we can attain.
[English] During the American Revolution, our country’s founders looked to Greece for the democratic ideal. In the 1820s, Greece looked to America for solidarity and assistance during its revolution.
You can find a testament to our mutual admiration in the Washington Monument. Soon after independence, Greece contributed a stone to this monument with this inscription: "The mother of ancient liberty sends this ancient stone from the Parthenon in honor and admiration to George Washington, hero and citizen of the new and illustrious land of liberty.
Today, all those in the world who do not enjoy freedom, look to both of our countries, to our modern democracies, for their inspiration and for their liberation.
In a minute, I will stop talking, we will cut the cake, and you can all enjoy the great music from the 6th Fleet Jazz Band, have some food and drink, and take a tour of our new Embassy annex building.
[Greek] In closing, I’ll just add that we Americans call our country “The Land of the Free.” For me, as the representative of the “Land of the Free,” there is no better place to be standing today than right here, in the place where, for the first time in history, “free human beings” walked the earth – Greece!
Long live Greece! Long live America! Thank you very much.
