Truman Statue
Monday, April 7, 2014
(as prepared)
Thank you all for coming to honor the memory of our 33rd President, Harry S Truman. Standing here today in 2014, I want to repeat what President John F. Kennedy said in 1963 when he came to Greece and dedicated this statue. He said “I hope this outstanding memorial, which the Order of AHEPA has made possible, will come to symbolize not only our common heritage and efforts, but will serve to remind us of the high priority President Truman gave the progress of Greece toward economic development and social justice in peace and freedom.”
There are certain things – like economic development and social justice – that we’ll always be working on, that we always should be working on, because it is the right thing to do. If this statue in any way reminds us of that obligation, then it is sacred.
Thank you to the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association for your efforts in this regard. By donating this statue, you have done no small part in honoring the Truman Doctrine, the billions in aid that the U.S. gave to its friend and partner in its time of turmoil. As we take this time to reflect, we remember the challenges we’ve faced, the successes we’ve had, the opportunities still to come. Most importantly, we remember that we face these together.
Thank you all for coming to honor the memory of our 33rd President, Harry S Truman. Standing here today in 2014, I want to repeat what President John F. Kennedy said in 1963 when he came to Greece and dedicated this statue. He said “I hope this outstanding memorial, which the Order of AHEPA has made possible, will come to symbolize not only our common heritage and efforts, but will serve to remind us of the high priority President Truman gave the progress of Greece toward economic development and social justice in peace and freedom.”
There are certain things – like economic development and social justice – that we’ll always be working on, that we always should be working on, because it is the right thing to do. If this statue in any way reminds us of that obligation, then it is sacred.
Thank you to the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association for your efforts in this regard. By donating this statue, you have done no small part in honoring the Truman Doctrine, the billions in aid that the U.S. gave to its friend and partner in its time of turmoil. As we take this time to reflect, we remember the challenges we’ve faced, the successes we’ve had, the opportunities still to come. Most importantly, we remember that we face these together.
