Bodies Of Slain Diplomatic Staff Returned To U.S. Soil

(Newsroom America) -- The bodies of four Americans killed in an attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya returned to the United States on Friday in a sombre ceremony at Maryland's Joint Base Andrews attended by President Obama.

Ambassador Chris Stevens, Information Management Officer Sean Smith and security personnel Tyrone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty were killed in an attack on the consulate.

President Obama paid tribute to the men, and told their families and colleagues that their sacrafice will never be forgotton and "we will bring to justice those who took them from us."

President Obama began his remarks by citing John 15:13 from the Bible: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

"Their sacrifice will never be forgotten," he said, saying they laid down their lives "in service to us all."

"Four Americans, four patriots. They loved this country. They chose to serve it, and served it well," President Obama said. "They had a mission they believed in. They knew the danger, and they accepted it. They didn't simply embrace the American ideal, they lived it; they embodied it. The courage, the hope, and yes, the idealism - that fundamental American belief that we could leave this world a little better than before."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also paid tribute to the fallen members of her department.

"Today we bring home four Americans who gave their lives for our country and our values. To the families of our fallen colleagues, I offer our most heartfelt condolences and deepest gratitude."

(C) Newsroom America 2012