CNN is broadcasting the somber ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland, to honor the remains of the fallen American diplomats and solders killed at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Starting with Nearer My God to Thee, Marines rendered a final salute in a hanger with full military honors and dignity. President Barack Obama, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered words of comfort to the families and loved one of those killed in the storming of the U.S. Consulate.
"They didn't just embrace the American ideal, they lived it," said President Obama, as reported by CNN. President Obama "cited John 15:13 in the Bible: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," to open the ceremony.
Obama said the four killed Americans laid down his life "in service to us all." ... "Their sacrifice will never be forgotten," Obama said. ... "Four Americans, four patriots. They loved this country. They chose to serve it, and served it well," Obama said. "They had a mission they believed in. They knew the danger, and they accepted it. They didn't simply embrace the American ideal, they lived it; they embodied it. The courage, the hope, and yes, the idealism - that fundamental American belief that we could leave this world a little better than before."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continues below the break.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continued the ceremony remembering the names of each of the fallen Americans:
"Today we bring home four Americans who gave their lives for our country and our values. To the families of our fallen colleagues, I offer our most heartfelt condolences and deepest gratitude."
She saluted Sean Smith, an information officer, as someone known as "an expert on technology by colleagues in Pretoria, Baghdad, Montreal and The Hague."
She hailed ex-Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods as someone who protected diplomatic personnel since 2010 "in dangerous posts" around the world.
"He had the hands of a healer as well as the arms of a warrior, earning distinction as a registered nurse and certified paramedic," Clinton said of Woods.
Clinton also hailed the other ex-Navy SEAL, Glen Doherty. "He, too, died as he lived, serving his country and protecting his colleagues."
Clinton said Stevens, as a diplomat, "won friends for the United States in far-flung places.” She thanked his parents, who were at the ceremony, for the "gift" that Stevens was.
Secretary Clinton also reminded us that the United States government had nothing to do with the production or distribution of the hateful video that seems to have precipitated this explosion of violence.
Politico reports Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said:
"Today we bring home four Americans who gave their lives for our country and our values. To the families of our fallen colleagues, I offer our most heartfelt condolences and deepest gratitude."
President Obama also vowed to seek justice for these deaths.
"Justice will come to those who harm Americans," Obama said, repeating a vow that he and top administration officials have made all week.
"The United States of America will never retreat from the world. We will never stop working for the dignity and freedom that every person deserves — whatever their creed, whatever their faith," he said.
"Even in our grief, we will be resolute. For we are Americans and we hold our head high. Knowing that because of these patriots, because of you, this country that we love will always shine as a light unto the world," Obama said.
Don Pepper, of CNN, said "one can only imagine what the family of the fallen must be going through now."
Two days ago I wrote In Memory of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and Other Victims - Sympathies for Families and Loved Ones.
Ten Libyan solders also died trying to protect the American diplomats. Meanwhile, sadly, the violence continues throughout, many countries in the Middle East, and my understanding is that other people whose names we do not know continue to die.
How tremendously sad and tragic that our recent optimism for the Arab Spring has somehow transformed into such angry spasms of violence. And, it is also sad and terrible that much of the anger seems to come from thinking that the American government and people are behind the hateful video that appears to be one of the sparks igniting angry passions, to the extent that I correctly understand the reports we are seeing here in the United States on TV.
Our tradition of freedom of speech means we must tolerate many expressions that we do not agree with, including hateful religious bigotry. But, from the perspective of distant and different cultures who may be unfamiliar with this tradition, this distinction may not be completely understood. Perhaps, our grief will not be complete until we find a way of better communicating this to others around the world.
I believe I may be able to speak for everyone here at Daily Kos in extending our sympathies and condolences to the families and loved ones of all who have died around the world in this sad and terrible violence.