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On the eve of the 249th anniversary of independence/ VanHorn: We remember the sacrifice of Americans and allies

2025-06-26 20:13:00, Politikë CNA

On the eve of the 249th anniversary of independence/ VanHorn: We remember the

On the eve of the 249th anniversary of America's Independence, the United States Embassy in Tirana organized a celebration.

"Thanks to the sacrifice of so many Americans and allies, we can gather tonight to celebrate our freedoms. We can raise our children secure for a future where they will enjoy those inalienable rights immortalized in the Declaration of Independence, signed 249 years ago: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," said Charge d'Affaires Nancy VanHorn in her remarks.

VanHorn's full speech:

Lieutenant General Kingji, thank you for your words. You are not only a partner, but also a friend. Thank you to our generous sponsors and our dedicated staff who supported this celebration. And thank you to Speaker Spiropali, honorable ministers, ambassadors, and distinguished guests, for joining us on America's Independence Day.

Americans honor July 4, 1776, the day our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence, as our Independence Day. But our nation's history begins before that day, with the heroes who fought for it.

That war began a year earlier, in 1775, with the beginnings of the greatest army the world has ever known. Tonight we celebrate not only America's 249th year, but also the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress meeting in Independence Hall in Philadelphia voted to unite the territorial armies from all 13 original colonies to form the Continental Army – America's first national institution.

As President Trump said during the celebration of this milestone in Washington a few weeks ago, on that day “Liberty took up its shield and independence took up its sword. Those patriots of the first Army in the American Revolution fought against a formidable enemy and unfavorable odds, but they were armed with a just cause.”

These fragmented but fearless territorial armies had already defied expectations, repelling the larger and better-equipped British Army at the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, launching a revolution that would change the course of history.

On October 13, 1775, a committee met at the Tun Tavern to write the war codes that established the U.S. Navy. And a month later, on November 10, 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps held its first recruiting drive at the tavern, raising two battalions. George Washington celebrated his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of all American forces to fight the British at the Tun Tavern.

These places – Bunker Hill, Independence Hall, the "Tun" Tavern and many others – serve as benchmarks for us Americans to remember where we came from, what we stand for, and the sacrifices of brave men and women to defend those principles: freedom, justice, democracy.

Today, we invite you to visit our replica of the “Tun” Tavern and raise a glass with us in honor of America’s history and its “just cause.” Because as we all know well, the American Revolution was just the beginning.

Over the past two and a half centuries, American leadership has paved the way for a freer, more peaceful, and more prosperous world. But we cannot do it alone.

Our leaders are now returning home from the NATO Summit, where Allies pledged to invest 5 percent of their GDP each year on core defense requirements. We are counting on our allies to do their part to defend the values ??we all hold dear.

Earlier this month, I had the honor of watching Albanian and American forces work together in Exercise DEFENDER-Europe Immediate Response. I was deeply moved when I heard from one of our Albanian partners the story of an Albanian soldier killed in action while serving on the border alongside the United States nearly a decade ago. He left behind a little girl – now a young woman. I asked the gentleman who shared this story with me to tell him how deeply we appreciate her father’s sacrifice. This is just one example of the many sacrifices Albanians have made to protect our freedoms and build a more peaceful world. We are fortunate to have Allies like Albania!

It is because of the sacrifice of so many Americans and allies that we can gather tonight to celebrate our freedoms. We can raise our children secure for a future where they will enjoy those unalienable rights immortalized in the Declaration of Independence, signed 249 years ago: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Please join me in honoring these heroes and celebrating the freedoms they fought for. Happy Independence Day and thank you for your partnership! /CNA