Richard LeBaron, Chargé d'Affaires a.i.

Speeches & Remarks

02 July 2009
Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires Richard LeBaron at Reception Commemorating the Independence of the United States of America

Winfield House, London

Chargé d'Affaires Richard LeBaron delivers the remarks at Winfield House
(Embassy photo by Richard Lewis)

Good evening and welcome to Winfield House. Mrs. LeBaron and I are honored to act as your hosts for our Independence Day celebrations. Before proceeding, I would like to offer a special vote of thanks to the sponsors of tonight's evening. They have generously ensured that our national day is celebrated in proper American style. You will see their names on the placards in the front hall of the house.

Some of you may have noticed that there is a Lincoln theme to this year's reception. Our celebration is enriched knowing that this year also marks the bicentennial of the birth of this great American.

As we celebrate the birth of American democracy we also reflect on the legacy of the man who guided this democracy through the greatest crisis it ever faced. He made sure the country, the union, the democracy not only survived, but that we adhered more fully to the promise of the founders that "all men are created equal."

We can measure the depth of the challenge Lincoln faced if we consider just two of the July Fourths he marked as President during our Civil War.

On July 4, 1861 Lincoln had been in office barely four months. Fort Sumter had fallen, and Lincoln had called Congress into extraordinary session. On that day he gave a long speech detailing his early and controversial actions to preserve the Union. Soon after, Congress authorized the President to raise half a million men for war.

Two years later, on July 4, 1863, the monumental battle at Gettysburg was ending with a Union victory. That, and the fall of Vicksburg on the same day, led to Lincoln's celebrated impromptu Independence Day speech from a balcony of the White House. His brief remarks foreshadowed the Gettysburg Address later that year - probably the greatest speech ever given by an American President.

Two years later, the war had ended but Lincoln's life had also been ended by assassination.
His legacy of course lives on.

He was forgiving of human nature but filled with blazing moral courage.

He was constantly aware of our human frailties, while unceasingly calling upon us to strive for a greater good.

U.S. Marines post the colors Following Chargé d'Affaires Richard LeBaron's remarks
(Embassy photo by Richard Lewis)

In the midst of a horrendous blood-drenched struggle, he recast the American ideal and set us on the path that made the election of Barack Obama possible.

As you might imagine, there is a cottage industry in the United States devoted to the parallels between President Lincoln and President Obama - both from Illinois, both starting political life in Springfield, and so on. But there is also a Lincoln connection with London.

Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was the American Minister to London from 1889 to 1893. He was known for his calm, courteous manner. And he is said to have hosted spectacular July 4th receptions at his residence in South Kensington. The press reported that carriages full of guests blocked Cromwell Road for hours.

Perhaps the most important parallel between Lincoln and Obama is the way in which they confront the challenges before them: with humanity, a sense of calm, and a desire to call forth the "better angels of our nature."

When you depart this evening, a member of our Embassy will hand you a copy of the recent short Lincoln biography by the distinguished Lincoln scholar James McPherson. This small gift is a mark of our gratitude and esteem for the support - and quite often the sacrifice - of our British friends in pursuit of common endeavors around the world.
As we enjoy this evening, our thoughts are also with American and British soldiers who are currently launching major operations in the Helmand Valley of Afghanistan.

As President Obama said during his visit to London in April, "the relationship between our two countries is more than just an alliance of interests; it's a kinship of ideals and it must be constantly renewed."

You will notice that we included some Chicago-style BBQ on the menu tonight -- that is no coincidence. It is a sign of our support for Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics. I can't think of a better city to follow London as host of the summer games.

In a moment the U.S. Marines will post the colors, followed by national anthems. But before they proceed I'd like to recognize someone with us tonight who has had an experience and a life unlike most of us could imagine. Forty years ago this month, Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface of the moon. We are delighted to have Dr. Aldrin and Mrs. Aldrin with us and would be honored if he would join us on the podium for the presentation of the colors and the anthems.

L-R: Mrs LeBaron, Chargé LeBaron, Buzz Aldrin and Mrs Aldrin honor the colors
(Embassy photo by Richard Lewis)

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