ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE

ROUTINE

R 031847Z NOV 00 ZYB MIN PSN 752661J27

FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC//SN//

TO ALNAV

UNCLAS
ALNAV 087/00

MSGID/GENADMIN/SN//

SUBJ/2000 MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE//

RMKS/1.  THE SERVICE OF AMERICAN MARINES FOR TWO AND A QUARTER
CENTURIES HAS BEEN MARKED BY UNCOMMON VALOR DERIVED FROM CORE VALUES
THAT ARE BEHIND EVERY SUCCESS.  DURING MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATIONS WE SPEAK OF HONOR, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT, AND WE SPEAK
OF THE DEMANDS WE PLACE ON OURSELVES TO BE ALWAYS THERE FOR AMERICA.
OUR MISSIONS AND OUR IDEALS ARE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE.  YET WE
CONTINUE TO SUCCEED BECAUSE AMERICA COUNTS ON YOU - AS A TEAM, AND
AS INDIVIDUAL MARINES, FROM THE OLDEST VETERAN, TO THE YOUNGEST
RECRUIT.

2.  MORE TRADITIONAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ARE MARKED WITH JOY IN
KNOWING THAT A BIRTH PRODUCED A LIFE OF VALUE.  LET'S TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS A SIMILAR JOY FOR WHAT WE DO.  THE BIRTH OF
THIS ELITE CORPS HAS PRODUCED MARINES OF DISTINCTION FOR TWO HUNDRED
AND TWENTY FIVE YEARS - LIVES DEDICATED TO DEFENDING THE NATION,
LIVES LOST OR FOREVER CHANGED IN COMBAT, AND LIVES OF IMMENSE VALUE
TO AMERICA.

3.  YOU SHOULD TAKE GREAT PERSONAL SATISFACTION IN YOUR CAMARADERIE,
YOUR SOLIDARITY, AND IN KNOWING THAT WHEN THE NATION CALLS YOU
RESPOND UNFAILINGLY.  THERE IS GREAT JOY IN KNOWING THAT EACH OF YOU
HAS REAL, POSITIVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES, EVERY DAY THAT YOU
SERVE AS A UNITED STATES MARINE.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES.  IT IS A
JOY FOR ME TO SERVE AS YOUR SECRETARY AT THIS NOTABLE POINT IN YOUR
HISTORY.

4.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE RICHARD DANZIG, SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY.//

BT