Statement by Lt. General James Campbell

At the Memorial Ceremony for Sergeant Uday Singh, Chandigarh - December 11, 2003.

Colonel Singh, Mrs. Singh, family and friends, citizens of Chandigarh, on behalf of the United States of America, the United States Army, and the brave soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, I am deeply honored and truly humbled to be here with you today with many of my fellow soldiers to pay tribute to a brother-in-arms and India's son; Sergeant. Uday Singh.

Today, two great democratic nations pause to mourn the loss of this courageous young man who chose the life of a soldier. In so doing, he knew full well that he could be called upon to place his life on the line in order to give people who have only known tyranny and despair a chance to be free, and to control their own destiny. In his loss, we are reminded once again that freedom is not free. It is paid for in blood, sweat, tears, and yes, in the lives of our most treasured resource, our sons and daughters in uniform.

Sergeant Uday Singh, a member of a family with a rich military tradition, was an extraordinary soldier like his father; poised, professional, dedicated to both his mission and to his fellow soldiers. Previously decorated for his service in Kuwait, he also was a magnificent role model and standard setter for his entire company.

The motto of his division, the 1st Infantry Division, "No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great-duty first," epitomizes the spirit and warrior ethos championed by Uday Singh. He was, and always will be, an American soldier. He always placed the mission first. He never accepted defeat, and he never quit. He is our hero.

Today we stand tall as a nation and an army and, in our grieving, take enormous pride in saluting Sergeant Uday Singh for his noble stance to make the world safer, his sense of honor and commitment, and his loyal and faithful service to our country.