05 : Mourning the loss of Peter Petrelli
All I have I would have given gladly not to be saying this today.
One of the greatest wardens of this Barge has been somehow left behind. Today, Peter Petrelli lives on in the immortal words and works that he left behind. He lives on in the mind and memories of us here. No words are sad enough to express our sense of loss. No words are strong enough to express our determination to continue the betterment of this place in his honor.
The dream of saving the world, the dream of inmates getting along -- and wardens as well -- the dream of a unified front for those in need of redemption, and above all, the dream of equal rights and privileges for all us, whatever our status: These and other dreams have begun progress by his drive and by his dedication. And now the ideas and the ideals which he so nobly represented must and will be translated into effective action. We will be unceasing in the search for peace, resourceful in our pursuit of areas of agreement -- even with those with whom we differ -- and generous and loyal to those who join with us in common cause.
In this age when there can be no losers in peace and no victors in war, we must recognize the obligation to match strength with restraint. We must be prepared at one and the same time for both the confrontation of power and the limitation of power. We must be ready to defend the interests of the Barge as a whole. This is the path that we shall continue to pursue. Those who test our courage will find it strong, and those who seek our friendship will find it honorable. We will demonstrate anew that the strong can be just in the use of strength, and the just can be strong in the defense of justice.
And let all know we will extend no special privilege and impose no persecution. We will carry on the fight against misery, and corruption, and ignorance, in others' lives and in our own. Our unity within the Barge does not depend upon unanimity. We have differences; but now, as in the past, we can derive from those differences strength, not weakness, wisdom, not despair. Both as people and a larger purpose, we can unite upon a program, a program which is wise and just, enlightened and constructive.
This Barge has experienced a profound shock, and in this critical moment, it is our duty, yours and mine, to do away with uncertainty and doubt and delay, and to show that we are capable of decisive action; that from the brutal loss of our friend we will derive not weakness, but strength; that we can and will act and act now.
Today in this moment of new resolve, I would say to all my fellow shipmates, let us continue. Peter Petrelli's death commands what his life conveyed -- that we must move forward toward a better future. I profoundly hope that the tragedy and the torment of these terrible days will bind us together in new fellowship, making us one people in our hour of sorrow.
So let us here highly resolve that Peter Petrelli did not live or die in vain.
One of the greatest wardens of this Barge has been somehow left behind. Today, Peter Petrelli lives on in the immortal words and works that he left behind. He lives on in the mind and memories of us here. No words are sad enough to express our sense of loss. No words are strong enough to express our determination to continue the betterment of this place in his honor.
The dream of saving the world, the dream of inmates getting along -- and wardens as well -- the dream of a unified front for those in need of redemption, and above all, the dream of equal rights and privileges for all us, whatever our status: These and other dreams have begun progress by his drive and by his dedication. And now the ideas and the ideals which he so nobly represented must and will be translated into effective action. We will be unceasing in the search for peace, resourceful in our pursuit of areas of agreement -- even with those with whom we differ -- and generous and loyal to those who join with us in common cause.
In this age when there can be no losers in peace and no victors in war, we must recognize the obligation to match strength with restraint. We must be prepared at one and the same time for both the confrontation of power and the limitation of power. We must be ready to defend the interests of the Barge as a whole. This is the path that we shall continue to pursue. Those who test our courage will find it strong, and those who seek our friendship will find it honorable. We will demonstrate anew that the strong can be just in the use of strength, and the just can be strong in the defense of justice.
And let all know we will extend no special privilege and impose no persecution. We will carry on the fight against misery, and corruption, and ignorance, in others' lives and in our own. Our unity within the Barge does not depend upon unanimity. We have differences; but now, as in the past, we can derive from those differences strength, not weakness, wisdom, not despair. Both as people and a larger purpose, we can unite upon a program, a program which is wise and just, enlightened and constructive.
This Barge has experienced a profound shock, and in this critical moment, it is our duty, yours and mine, to do away with uncertainty and doubt and delay, and to show that we are capable of decisive action; that from the brutal loss of our friend we will derive not weakness, but strength; that we can and will act and act now.
Today in this moment of new resolve, I would say to all my fellow shipmates, let us continue. Peter Petrelli's death commands what his life conveyed -- that we must move forward toward a better future. I profoundly hope that the tragedy and the torment of these terrible days will bind us together in new fellowship, making us one people in our hour of sorrow.
So let us here highly resolve that Peter Petrelli did not live or die in vain.