Speeches

Ambassador Rood’s Remarks at the Tree Planting Ceremony to Remember the Victims of September 11, 2001

September 11, 2006
Ambassador’s Residence, New Providence, Bahamas

Your Excellency Governor General, Arthur D. Hanna, Prime Minister, The Right Honorable Perry G. Christie, The Honorable Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service, distinguished members of our military services, ladies and gentlemen: thank you all for coming today.

We come here today to mark the fifth anniversary of the attacks of September 11^th 2001 and, more importantly, to honor the memory of the victims of those attacks.
For the victims as for all of us, that tragic day began like so many others.  In fact, I was with the President on September 10^th during his visit to Jacksonville and have a picture of both us from that day in my office.  In New York and Washington it was one of those clear, cool and dry early fall days that are so enjoyed on the east coast after a long hot summer.

That outward tranquility was quickly shattered when at 8:46 am the first of two planes slammed into the World Trade Center in New York City.
Citizens of more than 90 countries were among the almost 3000 victims of the attacks in New York, Washington, DC and rural Pennsylvania.  As President Bush said in his address to the nation following the attacks, “our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.”  The Bahamas, along with our other friends and allies, immediately pledged solidarity with us, and we were comforted as a nation as our friends and allies rallied around us. 

Terrorism has taken a great toll on all free societies in the eight years since Osama bin Laden declared war on the United States and other Western nations.  Innocent people from Indonesia to Morocco, Spain to Australia, Jordan to England, and India to Egypt have been killed by Islamic extremists since September 11^th. 
Today the struggle against terrorism continues across the globe.  From Berlin to Bali we confront an ideology that promotes hate, destruction and death.  We remain steadfast in our battle against these terrorists.  Together with the help of like-minded nations such as The Bahamas, we have made progress by removing sanctuaries for terrorists, disrupting their finances, capturing key operatives and breaking up terror cells, and in preventing planned attacks.   

But our long-term success will be determined less by tactical victories than by advancing freedom and human dignity and promoting the spread of democracy.  For where terrorists exploit political alienation, democracy gives people a stake in society; where terrorists exploit grievances to blame others, democracy offers the rule of law, the possibility of compromise, and peaceful resolution of disputes; and where terrorists exploit misinformation, democracy offers freedom of speech and exchange of ideas to discredit falsehoods.

That is why our partnership as nations that value democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression is so valuable.  For at its heart, the fight against terrorism is a fight for the cherished values and principles that both of our nations hold dear.  No matter what our faith, creed, or race, all of us strive for a better life for ourselves and a better future for our children. 

When I thought about how best to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the attacks and honor the victims, I wanted a symbol that represented strength, endurance, hope and beauty.  This Poinciana tree represents all of those things to me.  As it takes root in the rich soil here, it will stand strong during the many storms that pass over it.  It will have a long life, so that many years after we have moved on those who follow in our steps can stand here and recall the sacrifices made for our freedoms.  Its deep roots symbolize to me the depth and endurance of the values that underpin the United States’ friendship with The Bahamas. 

Finally, the annual bloom and beauty of the tree symbolizes our hope for the future and our desire to build a world of peace, free of terrorism, where liberty, democracy, and respect for human dignity are universally honored.  To me, that is the best way to remember those who perished in the attacks of September 11^th.