ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
 
ROUTINE       
 
R 152117Z DEC 03 ZYB MIN PSN 667696J40
 
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC//SN//
 
TO ALNAV
 
UNCLAS //N01420//
ALNAV 093/03
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/DEC//
 
SUBJ/HOLIDAY GREETING FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY/AMENDED//
 
RMKS/1.  DURING THIS  JOYFUL SEASON, ALL MEMBERS OF THE NAVY/MARINE
CORPS TEAM ARE A BEACON OF HOPE AND FREEDOM FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE
WORLD.  YOUR SERVICE IS THE GIFT OF LIBERTY THAT IS NOW BEING SHARED
IN PARTS OF THE WORLD THAT HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A PROMISING FUTURE.
 
2.  EACH OF US IS BLESSED TO LIVE IN A LAND WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL
FAITHS, ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS AND CULTURES CAN CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS OF
THEIR CHOOSING WHENEVER THEY MAY OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.  WITH
THIS BLESSING, HOWEVER, COMES A RESPONSIBILITY.   OUR
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CLEARLY UNDERSTANDS THAT OUR NATION PLAYS A
UNIQUE ROLE IN THE WORLD.   WITH GREAT CLARITY OF VISION AND
UNWAVERING RESOLVE, PRESIDENT BUSH HAS EXPRESSED OUR RESPONSIBILITY
THIS WAY, "THE ADVANCE OF FREEDOM IS THE CALLING OF OUR TIME; IT IS
THE CALLING OF OUR COUNTRY...WE BELIEVE THAT LIBERTY IS THE DESIGN
OF NATURE; WE BELIEVE THAT LIBERTY IS THE DIRECTION OF HISTORY.  WE
BELIEVE THAT HUMAN FULFILLMENT AND EXCELLENCE COME IN THE
RESPONSIBLE EXERCISE OF LIBERTY.  AND WE BELIEVE THAT FREEDOM - THE
FREEDOM WE PRIZE - IS NOT FOR US ALONE, IT IS THE RIGHT AND THE
CAPACITY OF ALL MANKIND."
 
3.  TO PRESERVE AND TO GIVE THE GIFT OF LIBERTY IS WHY BRAVE MEN AND
WOMEN WEAR THE CLOTH OF OUR NATION.  THE GREATEST GIFT IS NOT GIVEN
IN A BOX AND WRAPPED WITH A BOW.  RATHER, IT IS SERVICE TO OTHERS.
OUR CITIZENS, OUR NATIONAL LEADERS AND PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE
CHERISH THIS GIFT FROM YOU.
 
4.  HOPEFULLY, MANY OF YOU WILL BE HOME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR
THE HOLIDAYS.  ENJOY YOUR TIME TOGETHER AND BE SAFE.  IF YOU CAN'T
BE HOME, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE FOREMOST IN OUR THOUGHTS AND
PRAYERS, AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE IN DISTANT PLACES.
 
5.  MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO
EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR MAGNIFICENT GIFT OF LIBERTY AND HOPE.  MAY GOD
BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILIES, AND LOVED ONES DURING THIS SPECIAL SEASON
AND IN THE YEAR TO COME, AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA.
 
6.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE GORDON R. ENGLAND, SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY.//
 
BT
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