I have to put a little damper on all of this Christmas cheer. Sadly, yesterday the former Czechoslovak and Czech President, Václav Havel, peacefully passed away in his sleep at his country house in northern Bohemia. He had been a heavy smoker for decades and almost died during lung cancer surgery in 1996. Mr. Havel had been suffering from severe respiratory ailments. He was 75 years old.
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Vaclav Havel was the most famous Czech politician in the world. The former playwright, who was a major figure in the fight against Communism, later became the president of Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic.
His motto: "truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred" will stay embedded in our hearts as well as his contribution to the freedom of all Czechs and Slovaks at home and around the world. We extend our condolences to President Havel’s family. He will never be forgotten.
