ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
 
ROUTINE       
 
R 101710Z NOV 03 ZYB MIN PSN 346226J23
 
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC//SN//
 
TO ALNAV
ALMAR
 
UNCLAS //N02300//
ALNAV 085/03
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/SN/-/NOV//
 
SUBJ/BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS//
 
RMKS/1. THE ESPRIT DE CORPS OF THOSE WHO PROUDLY CLAIM THE TITLE,
UNITED STATES MARINE, IS UNIVERSALLY RESPECTED AND ADMIRED.  THERE
IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT A MARINE.  IT IS AN ETHOS AND A CALLING,
WHICH SET YOU APART FROM EVERY OTHER WARRIOR.  PRESIDENT RONALD
REAGAN UNDERSTOOD THIS WHEN HE SAID, "SOME PEOPLE SPEND AN ENTIRE
LIFETIME WONDERING IF THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.  THE
MARINES DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM."
 
2. FROM THE HISTORIC HALLS OF MONTEZUMA, TO THE 21ST CENTURY
CHALLENGES ON THE SHORES OF AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST AND OR THE
PACIFIC RIM, MARINES STAND ON THE FRONT LINES OF OUR NATION'S
DEFENSE, VALIANTLY BRINGING HOPE TO THE OPPRESSED AND JUSTICE TO THE
ENEMIES OF FREEDOM.
 
3. WHETHER FIGHTING FIERCELY IN COMBAT OR SHOWING COMPASSION TO
THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM NATURAL DISASTERS OR THE YOKE OF
TYRANNY, YOU CONTINUE TO SHOW THE UNMATCHED BRAVERY, COURAGE AND
DEDICATION OF THE MARINE CORPS TO THE WORLD.
 
4. WE SEE THE GREATNESS, VISION AND CHARACTER OF MARINE LEADERS
LIKE MAJOR SAMUEL NICHOLS, PULLER, LEJEUNE AND VANDEGRIFT INSTILLED
IN EVERY MARINE WHO WEARS THE EAGLE, GLOBE AND ANCHOR.
 
5. NEAR MY OFFICE AT THE PENTAGON, A CORRIDOR OF PAINTINGS HONORS
PAST COMMANDANTS AND THE GREAT VICTORIES OF THE CORPS.  WHEN I WALK
THESE HALLS, A 228-YEAR LEGACY OF SERVICE, OF EXCELLENCE, OF HEROISM
AND OF HONOR IS RECALLED.  EVERY LEATHERNECK, LIVING OR DEAD,
WATCHES WITH THE GREATEST OF PRIDE AS YOU CARRY THIS LEGACY OF NOBLE
SERVICE FORWARD INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
I AM PROUD TO SERVE ALONGSIDE YOU.   MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR
FAMILIES AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
SEMPER FI!
 
6. RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE GORDON R. ENGLAND, SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY.//
 
BT
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