ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
 
ROUTINE       
 
R 042132Z FEB 04 ZYB MIN PSN 100361J11
 
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
 
TO ALNAV
 
UNCLAS //N01420//
ALNAV 012/04
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/FEB//
 
SUBJ/DEFENDING AND EXERCISING OUR RIGHT TO VOTE//
 
RMKS/1.  TODAY SAILORS AND MARINES ARE DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE
WORLD, OFTEN IN HARM'S WAY, PROTECTING OUR NATION AND SUPPORTING THE
CAUSE OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY.  IN MANY PLACES, THE STRUGGLE
CENTERS ON ONE VERY BASIC BUT POWERFUL PRINCIPLE OF DEMOCRACY - THE
RIGHT TO VOTE.
 
2.  IN OUR COUNTRY, WE HAVE THAT RIGHT AS A RESULT OF PAST AND
PRESENT SACRIFICES OF U.S. SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN LIKE YOU.
 
3.  THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE THAT YOU, WHO PROTECT
THIS RIGHT FOR ALL OF US, ALSO EXERCISE THIS RIGHT FOR YOURSELF.
IT'S YOUR SACRIFICE, IT'S YOUR COUNTRY, AND IT'S YOUR FUTURE.
YOU'VE EARNED THIS RIGHT, AND YOUR VOTE COUNTS.
 
4.  I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REGISTER TO VOTE EARLY THIS YEAR.  DO IT NOW
TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS LATER.  YOUR COMMAND'S VOTING
ASSISTANCE OFFICER HAS THE ABSENTEE VOTER REGISTRATION MATERIALS.
 
5.  THANKS FOR YOUR UNTIRING SERVICE TO AMERICA AND OUR DEMOCRATIC
IDEALS.  GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
 
6.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE GORDON R. ENGLAND, SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY.//
 
BT
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