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| News > A message to personnel of the U.S. government and U.S. Forces, Japan on the first anniversary of the great East Japan earthquake |
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A message to personnel of the U.S. government and U.S. Forces, Japan on the first anniversary of the great East Japan earthquake
Posted 3/9/2012 Updated 3/9/2012
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by The Honorable John V. Roos, U.S. Ambassador to Japan and
Lt. Gen. Burton M. Field, Commander of United States Forces, Japan
3/9/2012 - TOKOYO, Japan -- One year ago, this proud nation where we live and work suffered the greatest disaster any of us have ever seen, or are likely to see, in our lifetimes. The triple-threat of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the devastating tsunami, and the Fukushima nuclear plant crisis affected hundreds of thousands of lives, many who are still working to fully recover from the tragedy. Japan, which is accustomed to providing assistance to other nations in need, found itself in the unfamiliar position of needing help herself.
Among those answering that call were you, the men and women who work for U.S. Government agencies and the military assigned to Japan. You immediately set about accomplishing difficult tasks in the most extreme conditions, and overcoming tremendous challenges, and -- in the process -- making our relationship even stronger.
Through your steadfast efforts, Americans were able to assist in providing for the needs of a half-million displaced Japanese civilians in the Tohoku region. Within a week, the United States was able to coordinate the delivery of 242 tons of food, 2 million gallons of water, 28,000 gallons of fuel and 275 tons of direct aid cargo. None of that could have happened without your dedication to service.
The heroism of our Alliance partners throughout the crisis and the resiliency of the Japanese people are to be commended. And while we encourage everyone to pause and remember the lives lost, we also want to salute you for your shining representation of the United States. You personally cemented the bonds of our alliance while demonstrating that America is there when needed. We cannot thank you enough.
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