Tribute To John Auffrey
Tribute To John Auffrey
His name is Col. Charles Colden, and is assigned to the United States military mission of the European Command. He paid this tribute at the memorial service of John Auffrey, an American military expert, killed by a gang of assassins on May 24, 2004.
“On behalf of the United States European Command, Security Assistance Directorate, I would like to extend our appreciation to all of you for being here today to honor one of our sons, Mr. John Auffrey. We are here to pay tribute to him as his life was cut short by a deplorable and heinous crime. His experience as a leader and facilitator of humanitarian assistance efforts will be truly missed. However we should not reflect what could have been but rather what he has contributed and accomplished during his life time.
Many go through this life wishing they could have done more. John attacked life vigorously with a passion and sense of purpose, accomplishing more than most could possibly wish for in his life time. We honor him today specifically for this reason and his contribution to the betterment of mankind.
Who was John Auffrey? I personally did not know John but was aware of who he was and what he has accomplished while serving within EUCOM (European Command). John was a lot of things to a lot of people and had a positive impact on all those that had good fortune to know him. John was a traveler, an explorer and adventurer. A husband, brother and son. He was a Peace Corps volunteer. He was an artist, a leader and a thinker. Summing up how to best picture John and his personality is via this description. John was a beer and BBQ enthusiast and practical joker. He routinely signed his E-mails as “EL Commandant, US Good Guy UNIT.” He truly was a person with an immense and contagious sense of humor!
Although John did not wear the uniform of a soldier and was not in Liberia under arms, he was here because it was his mission and felt that he could make a difference bringing back security and hope to a country that has experienced a decade of civil unrest. We are here today to remember John and all that he shared with each of us. We are proud to serve with you. We salute you and miss you.
Lastly, EUCOM would like to express great thanks to the US embassy team near Monrovia for their support in the hours, days, weeks following John’s murder, those significant contributions included; the immediate response and following investigation; the close coordination with the UN police force and host nation officials; the security, transportation assistance and care provided for John’s remains and effects, and especially the information and help provided to John’s wife and family. All these were greatly appreciated.
Though the EUCOM family will never understand why such a tragic loss occurred … having such professional and caring support from the Embassy made it possible for us to accept what happened in order to help John’s family. EUCOM would like to thank you for remembering John and ask that each of us keep his goals for Liberia in mind as U.S. officials operate with Liberian officials to establish a better, stronger safer Liberia.”
