RAAUZYUW RUENAAA4576 3632012-UUUU--RUCRNAV.
ZNR UUUUU ZUI RUEWMCS0594 3632034
R 292011Z DEC 05
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
ZEN/ALNAV @ AL ALNAV(UC)
INFO ZEN/CNO CNO
BT
UNCLAS
SUBJ/FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM THE 73RD SECRETARY OF THE NAVY//

PLEASE PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
UNCLAS
ALNAV 090/05
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/DEC//
SUBJ/FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM THE 73RD SECRETARY OF THE NAVY//
RMKS/1.  AS I RELINQUISH MY DUTIES AS YOUR SECRETARY FOR A SECOND
TIME, I COUNT MYSELF DOUBLY BLESSED FOR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
SERVE AS BOTH THE 72ND AND 73RD SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.  IT HAS BEEN A
PROFOUND HONOR TO SERVE WITH THE MAGNIFICENT MEN AND WOMEN OF THE


PAGE 02 RUENAAA4576 UNCLAS
UNITED STATES NAVY AND MARINE CORPS.  YOU ARE MEMBERS OF THE FINEST
MILITARY IN THE WORLD.
2.  FOR 230 YEARS OUR NAVAL SERVICES HAVE BUILT A PROUD HISTORY.
DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED YOUR SERVICE,
SACRIFICE AND COURAGE.  YOU HAVE ADDED TO THIS LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE
AND VICTORY IN THE DEFENSE OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.
3.  SINCE THE ATTACKS OF 9-11 YOU HAVE BEEN PART OF A JOINT MILITARY
FORCE THAT HAS LIBERATED 50 MILLION PEOPLE FROM THE BRUTAL,
TOTALITARIAN RULE OF THE TALIBAN AND SADDAM.  THE COMPASSION YOU HAVE
SHOWN TO MILLIONS FOLLOWING TSUNAMIS, HURRICANES AND EARTHQUAKES HAS
SHOWCASED THE HIGHEST IDEALS AND GENEROSITY OF AMERICA.  LIKE ALL OF
YOUR FELLOW AMERICANS, I AM PROUD OF YOUR SERVICE AND ALSO PRIVILEGED
TO HAVE SERVED WITH YOU.
4.  FORTUNATELY, I WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
AND ALL OF OUR ARMED FORCES AS THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.  IT
IS A GREAT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO SERVE AS THE DEPUTY TO
SECRETARY RUMSFELD.  WHILE I WILL MISS WORKING DAY TO DAY WITH THE
NAVAL SERVICES, TOGETHER WE WILL CARRY ON THE NOBLE WORK OF DEFENDING
OUR FREEDOM AND LIBERTIES. GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
5.  THE HONORABLE GORDON ENGLAND, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY SENDS.
BT
#4576


NNNN