Ambassador Gnehm remarks:
AAA/ Northern Territory
Monday, February 19, 2001
USS Peary Gun Memorial
Sunday February 18, 2001
(The Memorial is a 4-inch gun salvaged from USS Peary in the 1950s and now points at the site where the ship lies wrecked.)
Honored Servicemen, and Distinguished Guests:
Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this memorial ceremony. To be standing here exactly 59 years after the tragic event, to be representing the United States of America, Australia's ally and friend, and to be able to share with our Australian friends this special commemoration - this indeed is a personal honor.
This gun is a memorial to the Americans who lost their lives during the Japanese attack. It is also a tribute to Australians who sacrificed their lives, not only the military but also the civilians - the residents of Darwin who were caught by surprise that fateful morning. Forever pointing to the watery grave of the Peary, this gun serves as reminder for those who experienced that dreadful assault - a reminder of the horrors of war. For those who were born after that fateful day, this reminds us of the costly sacrifices that war can bring.
The Americans serving on the destroyer Peary had experienced some very rough waters before coming to port here in Darwin. In December of 1941, they were strafed and damaged by a near-miss in Manila; they were bombed while serving as an escort n early 1942. No doubt they felt some security when they sailed into Darwin.
But Darwin was not to be a safe-haven -- either for the U.S. naval ships and their crews or the citizens of the city. On February 19 war erupted from the very skies that are above us today. Peace and calm dissolved into death and destruction. Repeated raids by the Japanese after the initial onslaught trapped the city and its residents in an unreal state of privation for over 18 months. It would be years before residents could rebuild their town and their lives.
But it is to our veterans that I would like to pay my deepest respect. The sacrifice of those who died and the commitment of those who survived is above honor, beyond reproach, and ever humbling. To our veterans, I say thank you, bless you. May you ever be aware of the gratitude that we, who live in freedom today, have for what you did in the war.
This memorial symbolizes much more than the loss of the USS Peary and the 91 men who died that morning on this ship - it stands here to remind us how fragile our freedom is, how dear our democracy, and, most importantly, how important it is for Australia and the United States to keep our commitment to global peace.
How I wish those who perished in Darwin on that fateful day could see today how their sacrifice was not in vain. They would see an Australia and an America allied together five decades old -- as close in friendship today in peace as we were in times of war. It is the 50th anniversary of the ANZUS agreement. We do stand together for a world at peace.
The Australian American Association has played a vital role in keeping alive the memory of our fallen comrades. I salute you one and all. With a deep respect for history and a keen perspective of the future, our Association members have created a legacy of friendship and respect and have ensured that the Australian-American alliance will continue to flourish and extend into this coming century.
May we all pledge today at this solemn moment to remain steadfast in our friendship and defense of freedom -- as did our fallen colleagues 59 years ago.
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