Remarks at Dedication Ceremonies for the Veteran's Memorial Statue of 16, May 1983

By: Deng Emmillo Mou, Juba-South Sudan. 

Before I begin, let me take a moment to congratulate the Veterans Memorial Fund in the office of the president of the republic of South Sudan Dr. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and the other distinguished guests without whom the celebration and operation of this memorial celebration, this would not have been possible. Let me also say that South Sudan is grateful to the thousands of veterans who have lost their lives, and they were serving our Land so proudly. For your devotion to South Sudan, I salute you all. 

Today we pay homage not only to those who gave their lives but to their comrades present today and all across the country. You didn't forget. You kept the faith. You walked from the litter, wiped away your tears, and returned to the battle. You fought on, sustained by one another and deaf to the voices of those who didn't comprehend. You performed with a steadfastness and valour that veterans of other wars salute, and you are forever in the ranks of that special number of South Sudanese in every generation that the Nation records as true patriots.

We're celebrating today, just as we have celebrated every yearly, to remember those who served, those who fought, those still missing, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion for our country South Sudan. We're gathered at a monument on which the names of our fallen friends and loved ones are engraved, and with crosses instead of diamonds beside them, the names of those whose fate we do not yet know. One of those who fell wrote, shortly before his death in 1983, these words: ``Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.''

As we do every yearly of 16, may, we take that moment to embrace the gentle heroes of Veterans and of all our wars. We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause.

I'm not writing or speaking provocatively here. Unlike the other wars of this century, of course, there were deep divisions about the wisdom and rightness of the Veteran's war. Both sides spoke with honesty and fervour. And what more can we ask in our democracy? And yet after more than a decade of desperate boat people, after the killing fields of many veterans after all that has happened in that unhappy part of the world, who can doubt that the cause for which our men and women fought was just? It was, after all, however imperfectly pursued, the cause of freedom; and they showed uncommon courage in its service. Perhaps at this late date, we can all agree that we've learned one lesson: that group South Sudanese must never be dismissing in our hearts forever.

But beyond that, we remember today that all our gentle heroes and veterans of South Sudan have given us a lesson in something more: a lesson in living love, got independence Nation. Yes, for all of them, those who made it and came back and those who did not and those who did not come back, love for their families lives. Their love for their buddies on the battlefields and friends back home lives. Their love of their country lives.

This memorial has become a monument to that living love. The thousands who come to see the names testify to a love that endures. The messages and mementos they leave speak with a whispering voice that passes gently through the surrounding trees and out across the breast of our peaceful nation. A childhood teddy bear, a photograph of the son or daughter born too late to know his or her father, a battle ribbon, a note -- there are so many of these, and all are testimony to our living love for them. And our nation itself is testimony to the love our veterans have had for it and for us. Our liberties, our values, all for which South Sudan stands, is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom's front. And we thank God for them.

Yes, gentle heroes and living love and our memories of a time when we faced great divisions here at home. And yet if this place recalls all this, both sweet and sad, it also reminds us of a great and profound truth about our nation: that from all our divisions we have always eventually emerged strengthened. Perhaps we are finding that new strength today, and if so, much of it comes from the forgiveness and healing love that our South Sudan veterans have shown.

For too long a time, they stood in a chill wind, as if on a winter night's watch. And in that night, their deeds spoke to us, but we knew them not. And their voices called to us, but we heard them not. Yet in this land that God has blessed, the dawn always at last follows the dark, and now morning has come. The night is over. We see these men and women and know them once again -- and know how much we owe them, how much they have given us, and how much we can never fully repay. And not just as individuals, but as a nation, we say we love you all. 

To this day, we show our love in many ways -- some of it through the Government. We now fly the POW - MIA flag at this memorial on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and POW - MIA Recognition Day. This is a small gesture, but a significant one. South Sudan also keeps a vigil for those who have not yet been recognizes. President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit have negotiated with the South Sudanese to bring our nation's sons and daughters into proper consideration, and for the first time, too, have joint teams celebrating remote areas of South Sudan that might shed light on the fate of those we list as missing. In everywhere, the Government of His Excellency Dr. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit have also begun a new round of Veteran registrations and excavations of crash sites. And concerned citizens have told M'zee Salva Kiir Mayardit that it must prove to the South Sudanese people through its cooperation whether men or women are still being held against their will in everywhere. Otherwise, we will assume some are, and we will do everything we can to find the permanent solution.

All of these characteristics can be said of the South Sudanese veteran. An unyielding firmness and endurance to the end of the mission.  A firm strength and steadfastness. A ruggedness to finish the mission as assigned. But along with all of that goes softness, like this grass, to realize that there are moments that command a sympathy and sensitivity to a brother or sister who needs support when the battles get overwhelming.  The POW/MIA flag represents those who were held prisoners of war and those still missing in action.  Several stones laid here represent ex-POWs.  One is for a veteran missing in South Sudan since 16 May 1983. Yes, it’s been forty years today, we make our Founding Fathers and those who have gone before us proud.

Here at home, South Sudan, a Department of Veterans Affairs and extended veterans benefits are merely outward and visible signs of an inward and invisible grace that has come to our land. South Sudan service is once more universally recognized as a badge of pride. Previous years ago, the President noted that this healing had begun and that he hoped that before his days as Commander in Chief and the first elected-President it would be completed. Well, now as he not yet approached the end of his service, and he sees South Sudan veterans take their rightful place among South Sudan's heroes, it appears to him that he have healed. And what can he say to our South Sudanese veterans but: Welcome to our hearts.

And let me say to the South Sudanese veterans celebrating today: When you returned home, you brought solace to the loved ones of those who fell, but little solace was given to you. Some of your countrymen and countrywomen were unable to distinguish between our native distaste for war and the stainless patriotism of those who suffered its scars. But there's been a rethinking there, too. And now we can say to you, and say as a nation: Thank you for your courage. Thank you for being patient with your countrymen and countrywomen. Thank you. Thank you for continuing to stand with your country and your citizens together.

The men and women of South Sudan who fought for freedom in a place where liberty was in danger. They put their lives in danger to help a people in a land far away from their own. Many sacrificed their lives in the name of duty, honour, and country. All were patriots who lit the world with their fidelity and courage.

"Our veterans -- yes, veterans, for in our hearts you will always be so grateful of the love that is great, love of life, love of joy, love of country, South Sudan -- you were fought for our independence and for its safety and for the freedom of others, unborn generations with strength and courage. We love you for it. We honour you all. And we have faith that, as He does all His sacred children, the Lord will bless you and keep you, the Lord will make His face to shine upon you and give you internal peace, now and forever more.''

And we must be in unity, work to account for those still missing and aid those returned who still suffer from the pain and memory of South Sudan. We must, as a society, as a Nation, take guidance from the fighting men and women memorialized by this statue.

They were both our children and our heroes. We will never ever forget them. We will never forget their devotion and their sacrifice. 

When you lay your head down on your pillow tonight, thank God for the freedom you enjoy here today and ask God’s protection on all of those serving our country this very day all across our world.

May God bless their souls and their Families. Thank you all, May God bless Gen. Akol Koor Kuch and H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and, May God bless the Republic of South Sudan.