Numerous guests at reception for July 4, US Independence Day

The reception for US Independence Day on July 4 was held at the Embassy of the United States of America in Sarajevo, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Ambassador Maureen Elisabeth Cormack said before the official address that she is happy this is her first celebration of July 4 in Sarajevo.

- July 4 unites all Americans, it is a family holiday where we socialize, celebrate with a barbecue, and finish with fireworks. Last year, I attended a large fireworks display in Washington at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. I will miss that today - said Cormack, greeting journalists with "Good afternoon."

Cormack welcomed numerous guests, accompanied by her husband, along with the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy, Nicholas Hill, and other officials.

Among those attending the reception were the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mladen Ivanić, and member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bakir Izetbegović. The third member of the Presidency, Dragan Čović, did not attend the reception.

The state prime minister and the federal prime minister, Denis Zvizdić and Fadil Novalić, responded to the invitation, with Novalić presenting Ambassador Cormack with a bouquet of flowers.

Among the guests were leaders of political parties, DF's Željko Komšić, SBB's Fahrudin Radončić, as well as numerous other politicians: Sadik Ahmetović, Šemsudin Mehmedović, Senad Šepić, Igor Radojičić, Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Mektić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Crnadak, municipal mayors and city mayors, heads of security agencies, and many other guests from the public and cultural life of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The official part began with the performance of the US national anthem, after which Cormack addressed those present. Among other things, she emphasized that Independence Day is a day everyone celebrates together.

- Because July 4 was a holiday for all of us. Whether our families are from Ireland or Israel, Italy or Romania, Cuba or Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are all, first and foremost, Americans - said Cormack.

She pointed to the historical significance of July 4, 1776, when the founders of America declared independence from Great Britain.

- They decided to define a nation not by ethnicity, ideology, or bloodline - they defined it by a commitment to universal ideals. They pledged "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" to the proposition that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness - said Cormack.

She stated that America and Bosnia and Herzegovina are two countries made up of many peoples who respect and cherish history and diversity of traditions, but refuse to be enslaved by them.

- Do not forget that as Bosnians and Herzegovinians and as Americans, we walk this path together. On July 4, we pay tribute to a document that begins with two words: "We the People" - said Cormack.