Remarks by Ambassador Nancy J. Powell at Embassy Memorial Service Honoring Victims of August 5 Tragedy (As Prepared for Delivery)

New Delhi | August 9, 2012

Fellow colleagues, thank you for inviting me to join with you in this memorial honoring the victims of the August 5 tragedy.  This was a senseless and horrible act, and our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the victims of this tragedy and to the Sikh community.  We all mourn their loss, and we all stand united in our grief.  President Obama said “As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.” 

The flag of the United States stands today at half-mast to reflect our mourning as a way to offer our deepest respect and honor for the victims of this tragedy.  Our flags are at half-staff not only here at the U.S. Embassy New Delhi but at the White House and at all U.S. Embassies, consular offices, and military posts across the globe. 

All across the United States we are hearing that people are coming together in solidarity to express their sorrow for the victims of this tragedy as well as to recognize the remarkable bravery of Sadwant Singh Kaleka, the head of the Gurudwara, whose brave actions allowed others to escape.  The memory of such bravery lives on in our hearts today.

I would like to close with a quote from one of the vigil participants in Chicago: “As our nation still struggles to comprehend what happened and we continue to support the victims and their families, it’s important to send a clear and unified message to those who attempt to divide us with these senseless acts of violence.  We will not be divided, we will find hope in a moment of great tragedy, and we will move forward in the belief that freedom of religion remains a fundamental tenet of our great democracy.”

Thank you again for inviting me to be with you today and for this symbol of unity of our two nations and our democratic values.