— Domani Spero

Remember in 2009 when much had been made about Ambassador Murphy’s arrival in Germany in his Gulfstream V? (See The Ambassador and His Gulfstream Jet).  That’s so long ago.

Last month, after hosting his last Fourth of July reception, Ambassador Murphy departed post at the conclusion of his term in office. The kids, now in larger soccer jerseys are older, there’s one more dog, and —  eat your heart out, he still got his Gulfstream.

We remember Ambassador Murphy as one who vigorously defended his embassy officers at the height of the Wikileaks controversy (See Ambassador Philip Murphy: “I’m a big boy ….the buck stops with me…”).   He made himself the “it” … and no one got thrown under the train for doing their jobs.  There’s a dearth of “I’m a big boy… the buck stops with me” people these days.  So yeah, we like this guy despite his expensive aircraft baggage.

Ambassador Philip Murphy departs post with his family, July 2013.                     Click on image for more photos via US Embassy Germany/Flickr

Send off at the airport during Ambassador Murphy’s departure.

A related item, last week, U.S. Ambassador-Designate to Germany John Emerson and his family arrived in Germany to start his tenure.  He and his wife, Kimberly Marteau Emerson are featured in another of IIP’s ambassador introduction video series. See below.

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