KABUL - US Ambassador in Kabul John R. Bass on Thursday said the Americans would not forget their colleagues and friends who lost their lives while serving the two nations – the US and Afghanistan.
“Some might worry that after the initial shock of these attacks fades, we will forget those we have lost.  We will not.  Our presence here today reminds us: as Americans, we do not forget our fallen,” the ambassador said in his remarks on the occasion of commemorating Foreign Service Day.
“We do not forget because we understand the price of service.  We represent the United States of America.  We serve our fellow citizens – because we represent all of America – not just “red America,” or “blue America,” but all of America – as one nation.  And we do not forget those who have perished in service to our great nation.”
Bass said today they also honored their colleagues and friends who served two nations – Afghanistan and the United States.  “We do not simply honor their service; we honor their commitment to realizing the vision of a peaceful Afghanistan.”
The envoy said their memorial wall here complemented a larger wall at the State Department in Washington and currently included 248 names, dating from 1780, when William Palfrey, the consul general en route to France was lost at sea.
“Other memorial plaques mark many of those from other agencies lost while serving overseas. I joined the Foreign Service in 1988. Since then, we have added the names of 85 colleagues lost while serving abroad. Most were victims of terrorism.”
He said in Afghanistan, even as they supported Ambassador Khalil Khalilzad’s efforts, the Americans remained in the midst of a long conflict.  “We have lost many on this hard road:  Colleagues, friends.   Each month, we have mourned with Afghan friends and colleagues, and with our brothers and sisters in uniform.”
Bass said they honored the memory of local colleagues who died protecting the Americans two years ago. “We honor the memory of colleagues who died while seeking to help the people of this country build a brighter future.”
One of them was Ambassador Adolph Dubs – known to his colleagues as “Spike.” Shortly after Ambassador Dubs’ death, one of his colleagues had this to say about his life – about how he had served.
“What was extraordinary about Spike was….his loyalty to those who worked for him.  He gave us the courage and the confidence to reach beyond our grasp, to stretch, to dare.”
“It is the qualities Ambassador Dubs personified – character; generosity of spirit; a life of service – that separate us from our adversaries.  They are why I remain convinced that we will prevail in this long fight, here and elsewhere, against extremism, hatred and intolerance.” (Pajhwok)