Resilience and Resolve

Showing 1–10 of 40 results

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    Robert Neumann's Suitcase

    Ambassador Robert G. Neumann was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1916. He studied diplomacy at the University of Vienna, the University of Rennes, and at the Geneva School of International Studies. During his studies in Geneva, he was imprisoned by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp. After his release, Neumann…

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    "Free At Last" Artwork

    This artwork was given to Bruce Laingen, one of the 52 American hostages held in Iran for 444 days from 1979-1981. It depicts President Jimmy Carter and the iconic symbol of the hope for the hostages’ safe release – a yellow ribbon – tied around a tree. One of a series of…

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    Yellow Carpet Memento

    This unusual memento -- a square of yellow carpet -- was given to Michael Metrinko, one of the 52 hostages held in Iran for 444 days from 1979-1981. Framed in a shadowbox with a letter from the governor of New York as the backdrop, it is one example of the numerous letters,…

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    Damaged Great Seal Emblem

    This large metal Great Seal emblem, measuring approximately 4 ft. in diameter, was located at the entrance to the U.S. Consulate Herat, Afghanistan, and was damaged during the September 13, 2013, attack on the consulate by a truck bomb. Eight Afghan guards lost their lives defending the Consulate during this attack.

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    Inscribed Canadian Flag

    After the 9/11 attacks, U.S. embassies and consulates around the world became memorial sites, filled with offerings of all kinds. Condolence gifts included flowers, candles, personal notes, drawings, and mementos. International first responders also expressed their sorrow at the loss of so many who had given their lives in the face of…

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    “We are Americans” Note

    After the 9/11 attacks, U.S. embassies and consulates around the world became memorial sites, filled with offerings of all kinds. Condolence gifts included flowers, candles, personal notes, drawings, and mementos. International first responders also expressed their sorrow at the loss of so many who had given their lives in the face of…

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    Inscribed Firefighter's Helmet

    After the 9/11 attacks, U.S. embassies and consulates around the world became memorial sites, filled with offerings of all kinds. Condolence gifts included flowers, candles, personal notes, drawings, and mementos. International first responders also expressed their sorrow at the loss of so many who had given their lives in the face of…

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    Scholastic Children's Books

    Tragedy struck a diplomatic delegation and their military escorts on April 6, 2013, in southern Afghanistan. A young diplomat named Anne Smedinghoff, three U.S. soldiers, and an Afghani interpreter were killed in a car bomb blast that targeted their group as they were delivering books to a boys' school. Anne was a…

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    Signed Copy of House Resolution 786

    Following a deteriorating security situation in Libya and attacks on U.S. properties elsewhere in the region, the U.S. government compound in the Libyan city of Benghazi came under a heavy and deadly attack on the evening of September 11, 2012. The U.S. Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens was at the compound…

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    U.S. Navy Baseball Caps

    Foreign Service Officer Emil Skodon served at a number of posts that supported port visits by U.S. Navy ships. In appreciation for his help, he received caps with the ships’ names from the captains of these visiting ships. This simple token illustrates an important aspect of how our nation's military and diplomats…