Speeches and Articles by Former Consul General Joseph R. Donovan Jr.

Remarks on the Occasion of Wreath Laying at the Old Protestant Cemetery in Macau
May 22, 2009

--Joseph R. Donovan, Consul General of the United States of America

We are gathered here in Macau's Old Protestant Cemetery, to remember the 19 U.S. Servicemen and 3 American diplomats who are buried here. This is a very appropriate time to do this, since next Monday is Memorial Day in the United States. That is the day that we set aside in the end of May each year, to honor those who have died in the service of our country.

If you look around you will see the names of many Americans buried here. Their presence here attests to the long-term commitment that Americans have had to this part of the world. Among them is one of my predecessors, Thomas Waldron, the first U.S. Consul to Hong Kong. Macau was considered even then to be cooler and more relaxed than Hong Kong. While on a trip to Macau, Waldron got sick and died of cholera in 1844.

Another is Fleet Surgeon Dr. John F. Brooke of the USS Plymouth. The Plymouth patrolled the waters in the South China Sea and the region protecting U.S. interests in China in the 1830s and 40s. His personal voice is preserved in a letter he wrote while serving aboard the USS Ohio in 1842 calling for more Congressional support for the Navy. The letter is preserved in The Department of the Navy library in Washington, D.C.

Yet another is the grandson of U.S. President John Adams, Lt. Joseph Adams, who died while serving aboard the USS Powhatan.

It is always a solemn thing when we remember our dead, and express our gratitude for the contributions they made. As Americans serving our country abroad, we know what separation from our families and friends in the United States means. The people whom we commemorate today served their country. They made contributions--both great and small--to building our relations with East Asia.

Today, we will lay wreaths on two of these graves to commemorate the entire American community buried here. Consul Thomas Waldron and Fleet Surgeon Dr. John Brooke.

As we lay these wreaths on the graves of two of our compatriots today in honor of them all, let us commit ourselves to work harder and better to serve our country, and help it further build good relations with this part of the world.

Thank You.