RTTUZYUW RUEWMCS0000 1811726-UUUU-RUCRNAV.
ZNR UUUUU
R 301726Z JUN 06
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV 
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UNCLAS
ALNAV 057/06
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/2006 INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE//

RMKS/1. TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE THE 230TH BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES, LET US REMEMBER THE PATRIOTS WHO PLEDGED THEIR LIVES, THEIR FORTUNES, AND THEIR SACRED HONOR TO THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM. THE IDEALS AS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE CONTINUE TO GUIDE US, AND THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE AS AN INSPIRATION TO THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHO YEARN TO BE FREE.

2. OUR INDEPENDENCE, OUR LIBERTIES, AND THE RIGHT TO DECIDE OUR OWN FATE WERE WON BY THE FORCE OF ARMS AND THE BLOOD OF PATRIOTS MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES AGO. ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS THE PRICE OF LIBERTY, AND YOUR COURAGE IS THE ULTIMATE GUARDIAN OF THE FREEDOMS WE CHERISH.

3. WHILE SOME OF US MARK INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH BARBECUES, FAMILY GATHERINGS, AND A DAY OF WELL-DESERVED REST, MANY OF OUR FELLOW SAILORS AND MARINES REMAIN ON WATCH, AT HOME AND OVERSEAS, CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES IN THE LONG TRADITION OF PATRIOTIC DEVOTION IN DEFENSE OF OUR GREAT NATION. I SALUTE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND SERVICE, AND I EXTEND MY SINCERE THANKS TO YOUR FAMILIES AS WELL, WHOSE STRONG SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL TO SUCCESS. YOUR DEDICATION TO DUTY MAKES OUR FREEDOM POSSIBLE, AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR NOBLE EFFORTS IN KEEPING OUR COUNTRY SAFE, PARTICULARLY NOW DURING THIS TIME OF PERIL. YOU DO US PROUD, AND I AM HONORED TO SERVE YOU AS YOUR SECRETARY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES. 

4. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY THE HONORABLE DONALD C. WINTER, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. 
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