Ambassador's Speeches

Speech in honor of the Marine Corps Birthday Ball
November 18, 2006

(as prepared for delivery)

First Sergeant Burgin, Staff Sergeant Buxkemper, members of the US Embassy Marine Security Guard detachment, honored guests, cherished colleagues, it is a profound honor to celebrate with you tonight the 231st birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

Before we begin to dance the night away – a most fitting celebration of our Marines, the youngest and arguably coolest members of our Embassy community – it is only fitting to reflect on the heroic and inspiring examples of men and women in uniform serving around the world today.  Each day, we are reminded of the courageous sacrifice made by the United States armed forces at war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  We salute each and every soldier, airman, sailor and Marine serving in places of conflict and thank them for the service they provide our country.

Even more notable – at least to the people gathered in this room – is the equally important service of the thousands of Marines assigned to Marine Security Guard detachments around the world.    These Marines are the last line of security for American diplomats and embassies around the world; they have all too often paid the ultimate price for this posture, but, in doing so, have also protected the lives of hundreds of Americans and our foreign service national colleagues. 

We are all painfully aware of the tragic bombings at our embassies in Beirut in 1983 and in  Nairobi and Dar Es Salam in 1998, both of which cost the lives of Marine Security Guards.  But for each of these tragedies, there are other instances where the professionalism, bravery, and good sense of United States Marine Security Guards succeeded in diverting hostile action and saving lives.   For example, in 2004, an observant Marine at the US Consulate in Karachi successfully prevented a car bomber, with a 200 gallon tank filled with explosives, from accessing the compound; later that same year, the MSG on duty at the US Consulate in Jeddah saved the lives of over 200 American and FSN employees with his heroic actions during the terrorist attack against the Mission.  In September of this year, Marines were again successful in protecting our Embassy in Damascus.

Yes, the Marines attached to Embassies and consulates around the world have proven themselves time and again in situations of grave danger.  But they have also proven themselves capable of managing the unpredictable day-to-day challenges of working in foreign environments.  I remember well an afternoon in Lome, Togo, where I was assigned as DCM, when opposition demonstrators were engaged in a rapidly escalating confrontation with Togolese security forces outside of our Embassy.  It was our very own MSG Detachment commander who, without thought for his own personal security, went out into the streets and successfully convinced the demonstrators to turn back from a dangerous collision course.

Because of actions like these, Marine Security Guards are referred to as diplomats in blue.  They often serve as some of America’s finest representatives, particularly in the annual Toys for Tots campaign conducted in countries around the world.  By virtue of this wonderful program, MSGs are the first, and perhaps only, American faces ever seen by countless children around the world.   These Marines represent our country’s finest attributes of generosity and kindness and truly make a difference in some of the most marginalized places on the globe.

MSG’s are often the first impression that many foreigners get of young Americans, not only at the entrances of our diplomatic missions but also in their own homes.  In countries around the world, Marine houses provide the most important social gathering place for Americans, expatriates, and foreigners alike.  While toga party diplomacy is not actually taught at the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute, we can be sure that the open and social nature of these gatherings at the Marine House serve US interests in presenting a relaxed and convivial side of US diplomats and in welcoming many sectors of society that do not have regular access to the Embassy.

In recognition of the important service of Marine Security Guards, embassies around the world look forward to taking one evening a year to celebrate the finest traditions of the Marine Corps.  This evening, I would like to pass the following message to the Marine Security Guard Detachment at US Embassy Bamako, on the behalf of all us who have the privilege of working with you:  You are not only our front line of defense, but you are also our colleagues and our friends.  We salute your dedicated service to our country, we honor your contributions to our diplomatic mission, and we thank you for your friendship.  Happy Birthday Marines and Semper Fi.