Speeches of Former Amb. Chaveas

4th July 2003

July 7, 2003

227th American Independence Speech By Chargé D'Affaires, Larry E. André, jr Friday, July 4 2003, at the Ambassador's Residence

In the absence of Ambassador Chaveas, it is my privilege to deliver the customary 4th of July, Independence Day address.  Back in America, families are gathering to eat hot dogs and apple pie, waiting for the evening fireworks display.  In American embassies all over the world, friends of our country are gathering in celebrations just like this, keeping company with homesick American diplomats.  Thank you so much for coming. Sorry about the lack of fireworks.

Hon. Vice President, Hon. Speaker, My Lord Chief Justice, Hon. Ministers, Excellencies Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Hon. Members of Parliament, Members of the Consular Corps, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Heads of International Organizations, Chairman Committee of Management, Freetown City Council, Force Commander UNAMSIL, Force Commander British Task Force, Chief of Defense Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Army Force, Commissioners, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen.

We meet together upon this great day in American history — the 227^th anniversary of our declaration of independence from Britain — to celebrate the birth of a nation and to reflect on the meaning of Patriotism.  The Declaration of Independence defined our national sense of purpose in these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among those are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed …”. Americans so loved these words that they paid for them in blood, and carried them across a continent.  We struggled over two centuries, and struggle today, to bring the promise of these words into reality; not always succeeding, but never giving up, never turning our back on the dream.  The essence of American patriotism is keeping faith with those words by acting on them each day.  It is an ongoing, never ending commitment to act on behalf of our founding ideals.

For Americans, George Washington will forever be “first in war — first in peace — first in the hearts of his countrymen”.  Americans love Washington for the sacrifices he made on behalf of his people. He left his family and his high position in society as a rich landowner and farmer, led the military struggle at great personal risk against the mightiest empire of that time, assumed the office of the President following victory in that struggle, and then, despite the urgings of the nation that he stay in power, he quietly returned to his farm on the Potomac river. He stepped aside for fear of holding office too long, although there was no legal or political impediment from his remaining in office. He believed that it was best for the nation that he make way for the next generation.  This he did. By this act, he proved that he loved his people, but had no love of power for its own sake.  In the final words of his farewell address to the American people, Washington said "I anticipate with pleasing expectation to enjoy in the midst of my fellow citizens the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the happy reward of our mutual cares, labors and dangers."

And so, I remember Washington's spirit of self-sacrifice for love of his fellow citizens when I bear witness with you to the rebirth of your own nation.  That is why it is such an honor to celebrate American Independence with you, the leaders of Sierra Leone. Your people paid a most terrible price to defend their lives and their liberty.  They deserve a new Independence — an independence from war, corruption and poverty. They deserve simple honesty and respect.   True patriotism is every act of selfless service to your fellow citizens. Treason is every act of contempt and disregard for the interests of your fellow citizens; that is, corruption, nepotism, oppression. True patriotism is the legacy of Washington.  It is the spirit of the 4^th of July.

Please join me in a toast to the President, the Government and to the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone.  May those who govern, govern justly and may the people of this country know only peace and prosperity.