17th Annual USO Europe Service Salute - U.S. Patron’s Message

October 17, 2009

Kaiserslautern
Ambassador Philip D. Murphy

Frau Dr. Wimmer-Leonhardt, ich danke der Stadt Kaiserslautern für ihre Unterstützung bei dieser besonderen Veranstaltung. Ich möchte Ihnen und allen Sponsoren für Ihre Gastfreundschaft danken. 

Professor Doktor Hans-Jürgen Seimetz, General Lange, Admiral Gallagher,  Herr Gibson,

liebe deutsche und amerikanische Gäste, liebe Preisträger,

Distinguished German and American Guests, USO Europe Service Salute Honorees,

es ist mir eine große Ehre, in diesem besonderen Jahr am 17. gemeinsamen USO Europe Service Salute teilzunehmen. Vor zwanzig Jahren fiel die Berliner Mauer. Und die Welt sah, wie scheinbar Unmögliches geschah.

Als Präsident Obama im Juli 2008 in Berlin war, sagte er: "die Verantwortung des Weltbürgertums schweißt uns auch weiterhin zusammen." Er sprach vor einem begeisterten Publikum von mehr als 200.000 Deutschen und Amerikanern, nicht weit weg von dem Ort, wo einst die Mauer stand. Obwohl er Englisch sprach, kam seine Botschaft an. Um seinen Worten gerecht zu werden, möchte ich auch auf Englisch weiter sprechen.

Speaking as a citizen and not yet as President on that July day in 2008, Barack Obama said, and I quote:  “In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more - not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity.” 

Together, the ten “best of the best” junior enlisted service members of the German and American military services are outstanding examples of those that strive to make the world more secure, more peaceful, and more just.  This tribute to the contributions of these ten German and American service members is a very special tribute to our bilateral partnership – the success story of both contemporary military and diplomatic history. 

It is on occasions like this that we remember that the military personnel – of both of our countries – are not only members of our armed forces, they are diplomats.   When they go forward, they go out into the world; they are America, they are Germany, and we are judged by the young men and women who represent our transatlantic partnership. 

That is why President Obama, in speaking about how proud and humble he felt in learning that the Nobel Committee had awarded him the Peace Prize, dedicated the award to all those who strive for justice and dignity.  He shares this award with the men and women around the world who sacrifice their safety and their freedom and sometime their lives for the cause of peace.

That is also why it is important that we take care of them so they can do their job.  That is where the USO comes in.

Thanks to countless entertainers over the years, when people think of the USO, they think of entertainment. But it is only a small part of what USO does every day all over the world.  The stars of the USO are not only found in Hollywood, they are the volunteers who day in, day out, around the world give our military personnel and their families a boost. The USO is one of our national treasures.  It is irreplaceable. 

Here in Germany, the USO plays a key role in strengthening and facilitating German-American relationships and partnerships between the military, business and diplomatic communities. Since the end of World War II, over 15 million American GIs and their dependents have served and lived in Germany.  They have been fine ambassadors for the United States.  Our German friends have been outstanding hosts.  The USO has provided – and continues to provide – American and now also NATO service members the opportunity to learn about their host nation.  USO’s intercultural and orientation programs enable them to experience the “best of both worlds” during their tours here.  As a result of the USO, thousands of lasting personal friendships have been born.  And so, in the words of Bob Hope – that great USO ambassador of goodwill – thanks for the memories.  Thanks for providing the foundation for those memories, for always being there, for being a true “bridge” between U.S. and NATO troops and the German people.

The work of the USO could never be accomplished without the support of diplomatic, political and business leaders and without the excellent support by German local and state leaders of the USO and its mission.  On behalf of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany, I commend and thank you all for your commitment to the German-American partnership.   And again, I would especially like to pay tribute to our ten “best of the best.”  Congratulations.

It is an honor and a privilege to be with you here this evening.