PILSEN, CZECH REPUBLIC (May 8, 2012) -- The U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic attended the Pilsen Liberation Festival on Sunday, to help honor American war veterans who liberated Pilsen in 1945 and to thank those gathered for their enduring friendship with the United States.
Ambassador Norman Eisen joined other Czech and international dignitaries on stage at the Thank you America Monument.
He reminded the audience that friendship is a personal emotion for him.
"The relationship between the Czechs and Americans is one of the closest in the world. I should know because my mother was born in the former Czechoslovakia," he said, while also explaining to the audience that his mother was a holocaust survivor before immigrating to the United States.
Eisen laid a wreath at the base of the monument, on behalf of the American people in tribute to the Soldiers who gave their lives to liberate Pilsen in 1945 and the Czechs who died defending their city.
While in Pilsen, the Ambassador highlighted the extent of the U.S.- Czech partnership.
"We have stood with the Czechs through the dark days of communism and were ready to welcome them following the Velvet Revolution. We have assisted the Czech people to build a vibrant free market democracy in all of Europe," said Eisen.
Eisen represents the United States in a country which is now a full NATO partner training with Americans regularly in Germany, deployed in Kosovo and most recently Afghanistan.
"The Czechs have been fantastic partners in ISAF (International Security Assistance Force). Our U.S. service members there give the Czechs the highest marks. The Czechs have been very strong in standing by us, to fight for security and to prepare the Afghan nation for the security transitions which will be happening. I am confident they will continue to do the right thing, the Czechs are very good partners," said Eisen.
The Ambassador, a graduate of both Harvard and Brown Universities, said he thought General Patton would be happy that the freedom his troops brought to Pilsen is still being celebrated today. But he also pointed out that it will soon be time for today's soldiers, both American and Czech, to carry on that torch.
"We keep it alive for the younger generation, because ultimately freedom is a gift that we pass on. I think it's an imperative that we keep fighting for freedom in each generation. We need to say thank you now more than ever as this generation of heroes is passing, and we need to keep the flame of freedom burning brightly," Eisen remarked.
In looking at NATO today, Eisen spoke of the necessity to keep partner budgets to standard and look for creative ways to stretch those budgets under difficult financial conditions.
"The Czechs share the view with the President of the United States that NATO needs to be kept strong and vibrant that is going to require commitments by all NATO partners, certainly by the United States. NATO has an aspirational goal of two per cent of gross national product on defense spending. We urge our partners to stand by that and the United States will do its part as well," said Eisen.
Eisen praised all U.S. service members serving in Europe and around the world:
"We appreciate your service. Freedom could not exist without your defense of the values that we share with our NATO allies."
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