ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE ROUTINE R 122000Z DEC 02 ZYB MIN PSN 986702J32 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV UNCLAS //N01420// ALNAV 098/02 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/DEC// SUBJ/HOLIDAY GREETING FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY// RMKS/1. DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, SAILORS AND MARINES AROUND THE GLOBE STAND WATCH OVER OUR NATION. FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, YOU SERVE DURING A DEFINING MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY - THE WAR ON GLOBAL TERRORISM. WHETHER YOU SAIL OFF DISTANT SHORES, STAND THE POINT ON FOREIGN SOIL, OR SERVE AT HOME, I KNOW THAT EVERY MARINE, SAILOR, AND CIVILIAN IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY IS READY TO ANSWER OUR NATION'S CALL. 2. WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON DURING THIS SEASON. AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, MANKIND PAUSES IN SPIRITUAL REFLECTION AND THOUGHTS TURN TO PEACE, HARMONY, AND JOYOUS CELEBRATIONS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THIS CHRISTMAS THE MERE IMAGE OF A SAILOR OR MARINE IN UNIFORM WILL EVOKE SPECIAL MEANING TO AMERICANS AT HOME AND OUR FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD. BY PROVIDENCE, YOUR SERVICE IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE PURSUIT OF PEACE AND HARMONY THAT IS THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS. AMERICANS ARE PROUD OF YOU, AND SO AM I FOR THE GIFT YOU GIVE US EVERYDAY. 3. IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE WITH YOU IN THESE HISTORIC TIMES. DURING THIS SEASON OF HOPE, PLEASE ACCEPT MY BEST WISHES FOR A SAFE AND JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU, YOUR FAMILIES AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! 4. RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE GORDON R. ENGLAND, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.// BT