My fellow Maerrunorians,
Today marks the end of a long and painful chapter in our nation's history. For months, we have been engaged in a brutal conflict against both British Maerrunorian and Sawh terrorists, and the toll has been heavy. Over 1,000 lives have been lost, including innocent civilians, service personnel, and even the terrorists themselves. Each and every one of these losses has left a hole in the heart of our country, and my heart breaks for the loved ones left behind.
We must remember that behind every statistic lies a story of a life cut tragically short. The young man who was just starting out in life, the mother who was the glue that held her family together, the dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly for her community. Their lives were precious and irreplaceable, and they will be deeply missed.
As we reflect on the devastation of this conflict, I want to pay tribute to the selfless actions of those who risked and lost their lives in the line of duty. Our brave soldiers and law enforcement personnel put themselves in harm's way every day to protect our country and our people. Their courage and dedication are truly humbling, and they will forever be remembered as heroes.
I also want to recognize the incredible bravery of the local Mayor of Verwood, who lost his life in the terrorist attack on Verwood Regional Airport. He was helping people, especially the disabled and elderly, to board evacuation helicopters when the attack happened. His selfless actions demonstrate the best of humanity in the face of evil, and his memory will live on as a shining example of the values we hold dear.
In honor of all those we have lost, I am announcing the construction of a memorial at Verwood Regional Airport to commemorate the 110 innocent lives taken in that senseless attack. We will never forget their names or their stories, and their memory will always be a part of Maerrunoria's history.
Additionally, I am declaring seven days of national mourning, during which time I am enforcing that all employers give support to their staff during this difficult time, including an additional 2 days of paid holiday which can be taken this week to allow for you to mourn. We must come together as a community and support one another as we grieve.
But as we mourn, we must also look forward. We have a responsibility to rebuild Verwood and all the other communities affected by this conflict. And that is why I am announcing an initial £120Bn Maerrunorian pound package to rebuild Verwood, including the construction of a new crude oil port and a railway tunnel with a railway line across the Verwood island to connect Verwood to the rest of the country.
This is a time for us to come together as a nation, to support one another and to remember the sacrifices of those who have given so much. We will rebuild, we will honor the memory of the fallen, and we will emerge from this conflict stronger than ever before. Let us never forget the cost of war, but let us also never forget the resilience of the human spirit.
Thank you
