I am a man of few words as anyone who knows me will tell you. I also don't talk that openly about my feelings outside my family but this seemed like a good time to say a few things.
To all who lost someone, you have my condolences. It's never easy to lose someone you love and while I didn't know all of the fallen, I lost some good friends. Sharon and Becker especially will be missed, their support and trust in me meant a lot, and their leadership got us through this incredibly tough time and they gave their all for us. I am going to do my best to honor the memory of those we lost by working as hard as I can to continue to make sure this place is a safe place for all of us.
To Lissa and Neal, congratulations on your marriage. I am glad that I got to share the day with you both. Lissa means a great deal to me and my family so Neal, we'll be watching. Alhough maybe you should be more worried about Rose than me. Seriously though, many wishes for a long and happy life together.
To my family. I don't tell you often enough how much I love you but I do. Each of you has brought something special to my life and I am incredibly grateful for it. Roza, you are and always be the love of my life, Alex and Taisia, you are such wonderful young women and I don't tell you enough how much you mean to me. Ivan, you can't read this but one day your mother will show it to you and tell you that your father is a sap. You were such a wonderful surprise and I am loving watching you grow. Abe and Janine, thank you for accepting me, and for being there for us so many times. Ivan adores you both and I'm glad that you'll get to spend more time with him.
To everyone in Atlantis, it is time to move forward and that's not easy bu we can do this. This place has been good to me and I am glad to be a part of it.