Ambassador Gnehm Remarks:
Federation Frontline
Commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Cenotaph, Bicentennial Park
February 19, 2001
Governor General, Prime Minister Howard, Chief Minister, Excellencies, Honored Servicemen, and Distinguished Guests, and above all, friends:
It is an honor for me to be here today. I am indeed fortunate to be the United States Ambassador to Australia in this year, as we celebrate the 100th year of Federation and the 50th year of our ANZUS Alliance.
In this Centenary Year of Federation the Australian people commemorate many events that during these 100 years built and shaped your country --- events that transformed a continent of regions into a strong and vibrant nation. At no time in this past century was your rising nation more threatened than on February 19, 1942. The military attack that day imperiled the very existence of the nation. It thrust the very soil of the heartland and its peace-loving people into the frontline of war. Only 10 weeks earlier the attack on Pearl Harbor had brought war to our shores as well. This similarity of experiences was but the first of many.
On February 19, 1942, the Japanese military found both Australian and American forces in Darwin. Our forces -- though not expecting an attack --- fought valiantly against impossible odds. Side by side, using whatever means they had at hand, they resisted the invaders together and all-too many died together. There are no deeper bonds of friendship and mateship than those forged in war. From the tragic bombing of Darwin --- from the ashes of the city and the wrecks in the port, our two countries fought together until there was victory in the Pacific and peace.
But we did not stop there. Our two peoples were resolved to remain allies and shortly after the war we signed the ANZUS treaty --- committing ourselves to take our partnership in war forward into peace. We pledged to stand together for a world in which our values of democracy, freedom, and human rights would not only survive but also flourish.
It was not fate that had American forces in Darwin on February 19, 1942. It was not fate that no matter what the odds or how difficult the task, Australians and Americans fought together from tree to tree and island to island. And it is not fate that Australia and the United States have been allies for 50 years. Our friendship is inexorably intertwined in our shared values in life, in our shared dreams for our people and this world and in an absolute determination to stand together when threatened.
I salute the veterans who fought in 1942 and all those who have served our two great countries since. I salute, as well, those of you Australians and Americans in uniform today --- who serve even now our countries' cause.
Governor General, Prime Minister and all Australians, as Americans join you today in commemorating this day in history, we pledge anew our deep and abiding friendship and alliance with your great nation, Australia, and its people.
