Remarks by Ambassador Barclay Veterans Day Ceremony and Reception
November 10, 2005

Good Evening …. welcome to the U.S. Embassy.  I’m pleased to have you with us tonight to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

The tradition of celebrating Veterans Day grew out of the truce signed on November 11, 1918. That truce marked the end of World War I.  In 1926 the U.S. Congress declared November 11 Armistice Day and in 1954 Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day.

It is the day we recognize all the men and women who have served as members of the U.S. military, whether in times of peace or war, and we honor their sacrifices.  

Some of them were seriously wounded and others spent years away from their friends and families suffering untold hardships.  And all too many gave their lives as the price of their service. 

They were serving causes in which they believed wholeheartedly -- that freedom is worth defending at all costs, that democracy is the best possible form of government, and that self-determination is an essential right.  Because of the courage, strength, and patriotism of our veterans, the United States is the strong and dynamic democracy we know today.   

To observe this day properly, we must recognize that not only American citizens serve in the U.S. armed forces.  We have with us a number of Salvadorans who are U.S. Military veterans.  These Salvadoran veterans have served in every major U.S. military conflict of the 20th century.
 
And this brotherhood continues today; not only are there numerous Salvadorans serving in the U.S. military, but our armed forces are working side-by-side on the world stage to combat the forces of terrorism.

All of us recognize the fortitude and courage of the members of the Batallón Cuscatlán …. whose five contingents have contributed to securing peace, security, democracy, and a better future for Iraq.

I would like to say a special thank you to all the veterans here for being part of our tradition of comradeship and esprit de corps.  Your contributions and sacrifices have made the United States Armed Forces the proud and honorable institution it is today.  This is your day …. and it is an honor to be here to share it with you. 

Thank you.