Afghanistan’s ambassador to the U.S.,\u00a0Hamdullah Mohib, released the following statement Tuesday:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this Veteran’s Day, as Americans pause to honor U.S. military members for their sacrifices to\u00a0protect U.S. freedoms, the Afghan government adds its deep gratitude to the more than 1\u00a0million soldiers, sailors and Marines and their families who have given so much to help make\u00a0Afghanistan free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not just today, but every day, we remember the ultimate sacrifice made by 2,326 Americans, and\u00a0the more than 20,000 U.S. men and women who carry battle wounds from fighting a common\u00a0enemy in a far-off land. Afghanistan too has lost over 20,000 courageous soldiers and police in\u00a0the conflict and knows too well the cost of war. We will never forget the sacrifices that have been\u00a0made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also know that saying “thank you”\u00a0is not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So to the American veterans who served and still serve in Afghanistan: Know that we are\u00a0honoring your sacrifice by protecting and building on the gains you helped us achieve, which\u00a0have given our people a better future. You helped bring Afghanistan into the international\u00a0community of democratic nations, and you helped us advance our society so that Afghans now\u00a0have free speech and a free press, constitutional protections and a legal system to protect their\u00a0rights. Thanks to your service alongside the Afghan national security forces, millions of Afghan\u00a0children, including our girls, now go to school and grow up to attend university, and Afghan\u00a0women have their strongest voice in decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our national security forces are bravely carrying on the battle for freedom, with the invaluable\u00a0support of U.S. military members who train, advise\u00a0and assist the pursuit of our shared mission\u00a0to never again allow Afghanistan to become a haven for terrorists who threaten our allies and\u00a0seek to drag us back to the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have much further to go to achieve our goal of becoming a self-sufficient, strong\u00a0and\u00a0peaceful nation, but we are determined to get there. When we do, it will be your victory, as well.
On this Veteran\u2019s Day, as Americans pause to honor U.S. military members for their sacrifices to
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