Thomas Moorman's Remarks at a Washington Chorus Benefit Concert

It is my distinct privilege this evening to represent the men and women of Booz Allen Hamilton — and Ralph Shrader, our CEO — and I want to add my welcome to all of you to this wondrous and beautiful place for this evening's concert by the Washington Chorus and the Basilica Choir. We are honored to help sponsor tonight's concert in memory of those who lost their lives in the attack on the Pentagon. This music is a marvelous tribute to their memory.

Thomas Moorman

It is also my honor to share the pulpit with two great Americans, and — I might add — two individuals whom I greatly admire:

• Dr. Bill Perry — a longtime friend, and a terrific Secretary of Defense; with a special and personal interest in the Washington Chorus and
• General Hugh Shelton — a veteran of 38 years of service to his country, a service which culminated as the highest ranking officer in our armed forces.

These two individuals have played a profoundly important role in the Pentagon in providing inspirational leadership for our military, and in ensuring that our forces are second to none.

Though Booz Allen's relationship with the Washington Chorus goes back almost 14 years, our participation in tonight's concert is especially poignant, and profoundly personal — we share in the grief and outrage of the Nation and the world, and we also share in the loss.

We lost three of our colleagues — Geep Fisher, Terry Lynch, and Ernie Willcher — who were visiting their client in the Pentagon that fateful morning. We are deeply proud of their service and they are in our thoughts and prayers this evening.

In the days since that Tuesday morning, it has been hard to share a quiet moment, whether a conversation or just an elevator ride, with those around us without also sharing a story of courage, of loss, of grief, or of strength. As I have walked through the halls of our company and talked to our employees, the overwhelming feeling I hear is the need to contribute in some way; to support the families who have lost cherished loved ones — husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. I know this is certainly an emotion shared by each of us here this evening, and it is continuously being demonstrated by the selfless actions of so many in Washington, New York, and across the country.

Helping to sponsor this concert tonight allows the men and women of Booz Allen Hamilton just such an opportunity, and we will share in the memories, reflection, and solace provided us this evening as the Washington Chorus lifts its voices in the Fauré (FO-RAY) Requiem.

In searching for a way to capture the meaning of the great outpouring of patriotism, unity, and strength that has risen around us, I came upon a quote from a speech just yesterday by the leader of our strongest ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He said:

"We must let the strength of the community be the lasting memorial to the victims of these tragic events."

All of us here tonight are testimony to that community, and continuing to strengthen that community is our responsibility — both to the families of those lost on September 11th, and to our Nation.

Thank you.