PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV	
BT
UNCLAS
R 021628Z NOV 05
ALNAV 078/05
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV/-/OCT
SUBJ/MESSAGE TO THE MARINE CORPS FROM THE HONORABLE GORDON R.
ENGLAND/SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ON THE OCCASION OF THE 230TH BIRTHDAY//
RMKS/1.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES!  FOR 230 YEARS, MARINES HAVE SET THE
STANDARD FOR MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND SKILL, COURAGE, AND HONOR. TRIPOLI,
BELLEAU WOOD, IWO JIMA, CHOSIN RESERVOIR, KUWAIT, FALLUJA-THE STORIED
HISTORY OF THE MARINE CORPS IS THE GLORY OF OUR NATION.  YOU HAVE BROUGHT
HOPE TO THE OPPRESSED AND JUSTICE TO THE ENEMIES OF FREEDOM.   
2.  ON NOVEMBER 10, 1775, A CORPS OF MARINES WAS CREATED TO FIGHT FOR A
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE S INDEPENDENCE.  SINCE THAT TIME, COUNTLESS MARINES HAVE
DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE PROTECTION OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.  TODAY, MARINES
STATIONED AROUND THE WORLD CONTINUE TO BATTLE THE SCOURGE OF TERRORISM.    
3.  THE MARINE CORPS HAS ALWAYS LED THE WAY IN ADAPTING TO CHANGES IN
TECHNOLOGY, TACTICS AND COMMAND STRUCTURES TO FIGHT NEW THREATS TO OUR WAY
OF LIFE.  YOUR PRIMARY MISSION IS WARFIGHTING, BUT YOU HAVE ALSO SHOWN
COMPASSION TO THOSE WHO NEED YOUR HELP IN THE FACE OF WARTIME CONDITIONS OR
NATURAL DISASTERS.  WHATEVER THE TASK, MARINES RISE TO THE CHALLENGE AND
CARRY THEIR LEGACY OF NOBLE SERVICE FORWARD INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.    
4.  YOUR NATION CONTINUES TO RELY ON YOUR DEDICATION, BRAVERY, AND
INTEGRITY.  AS THE MARINE CORPS CARRIES ITS UNPARALLELED TRADITION OF
EXCELLENCE INTO ITS 230TH YEAR, I ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU TO REFLECT ON THE
BLESSINGS ALL AMERICANS SHARE THAT WERE EARNED BY EARLIER GENERATIONS OF
MARINES.  AMERICA IS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE.    
5.  GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU, YOUR FAMILIES AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
SEMPER FI!
6.  THE HONORABLE GORDON R. ENGLAND, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
BT


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