ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): A memorial service was held at the American embassy here Saturday to remember their four colleagues who lost their lives during an attack by a mob at the embassy three decades back on the same day.US ambassador in Pakistan Anne W. Petterson led the memorial service at the embassy lawns which was attended by the staff and US Marine Guards.Floral wreaths were laid to remember the four embassy staffers including two Pakistanis who lost their lives in an attack by students at the embassy enraged by a radio report claiming that US had occupied Khana Kaaba in Mecca.

Those who lost their lives in protecting their colleagues on November 21, 1979 included Marine Corporal Steven Crowley , Army Warrant Office Bryant Ellis, and two Pakistani staffers Sharafat Ahmed and Nazeer Hussain.

The Ambassador briefly speaking on the occasion emphasized the need to promote trends of understanding and tolerance.

She said, “As member of the international community we must do everything to foster trends of understanding, prosperity and tolerance.”

She said, “Since November 1979, we have seen enormous progress; the spread of participatory democracy and collapse of authoritarian regimes; the access to information in every corner of the globe and the exposure of dark events brought about by the growth in internal media and growth in global prosperity.”

Referring to the event, thirty years ago on the same day, the ambassador said, “We know that in every country the forces of prejudice and extremism are still there.”

Commenting on the daily suicide incidents in Pakistan especially in Peshawar she said, “We are reminded of the brave sacrifices of Pakistani security personnel, and even now by the threats and intimidation against diplomatic facilities and diplomats from Iran, Afghanistan, and from the United States, that nihilism and ignorance persist and must be confronted.”

Remembering the 30^th anniversary of the sad day for the American embassy community in Pakistan and in US diplomatic history,she regretted the incident that on November 21, 1979 a mob, incited by a false media report, attacked the embassy and then destroyed the American centre in Rawalpindi.

Petterson said for the United States, it was one of the first and to this day the most lethal attack at its embassy, a diplomatic facility whose activities had been protected for centuries by international law and custom to facilitate the peaceful communication among nations.

Remembering the four colleagues, the ambassador said, “Our hearts go out to their friends and families who mourn them still.”

She said, “Many other brave people were trapped inside the embassy with a raging fire with literally a few minutes to live when it began to rain and quelled the fire.

The ambassador said even after thirty years later, it was the time to remember the bravery of the marines like Sgt Crowley, the individual acts of courage by those who risked their own lives to rescue others and the dedication of American and Pakistani employees.

Deputy Chief of Mission US embassy Gerald Feierstein and Lt.  Gen. Joseph F. Dunford US Marine Corps also spoke on the occasion and paid tributes to those who lost their lives while performing their official duty thirty years ago.

Later, Gunny Sgt Lee Charter, Staff Sgt. Valente, Shabbir Hussein and Abdul Rehman laid floral wreaths to remember their colleagues while a one-minute silence was also observed for the departed souls.