Ambassador Griffin Lauds Diplomatic Security/Marine Corps Partnership

Amb. Richard Griffin (right) praises U.S. Marine Security Guards for their service in protecting U.S. Embassies abroad as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Marine Lieutenant General (ret.) Ron Christmas, President of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, look on, Sept. 14, 2006.

Good evening, Secretary Rice, U/S Fore, Lieutenant General Huly, Lieutenant General Christmas, members of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Board, ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, it is a distinct honor to welcome our Marine colleagues to the Ben Franklin Room of the State Department.

The men and women of the Diplomatic Security Service and the Marine Security Guards work together as a team to ensure that those who conduct the business of statecraft are safe and secure at American embassies and consulates worldwide.

From the earliest days of our republic, America’s diplomats and Marines have traveled in tandem to defend the interests of the United States abroad. As former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger put it:

"The Marine Corps and the State Department have been through so much together, side by side, that they have formed a unique partnership in the history of civil-military relations."

Since 1949, when the first class of Marine Security Guards was deployed, the Marines have been there when the State Department has needed them. We only have to think of Marine Sgt. Manual Matos, who served with the Marine Security Guard detachment at the U.S. consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. When five heavily armed al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the consulate in 2004, Sgt. Matos immediately secured the building. His quick thinking – and action – probably saved the lives of 150 employees.

Secretary of State Rice Pays Tribute to Marine Security Guard Program. Fact Sheet: Marine Security Guard Program

Earlier this week, the Marines once again reacted with poise and perfection when terrorists attacked the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, and today, in Iraq, Marine Security Guards are faithfully serving at the first U.S. embassy to be established in an active war zone. In their dedicated service, these brave Marines exemplify this nation’s commitment to combat the forces of terrorism at home and abroad. Thanks to them, we are able to fulfill the promise of President Bush that "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."

The men and women of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security are fortunate – and honored – to have such colleagues. But the Marines are more than trusted colleagues. They are "Semper Fi" friends. The kind of friends you want to have around when the going gets tough.

As an American of Irish heritage, you’ll have to excuse me for thinking that an Irish poet expressed it best. It was William Butler Yeats, who wrote:

"Think of where man’s glory begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends".

On behalf of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, I’d like to say "thank you" to the Marine Security Guards for their legendary honor, courage, commitment – and their friendship.

Now it is my honor to introduce the Marine Corps’ Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations, Lieutenant General Jan C. Huly.