R 251231Z MAY 07 
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
BT
UNCLAS
ALNAV 046/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/MAY// 
SUBJ/SECNAV MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE TO THE FLEET// 
RMKS/1.  ORIGINALLY CALLED DECORATION DAY, MEMORIAL DAY IS A DAY OF 
REMEMBRANCE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN OUR NATION S SERVICE.  IT WAS 
FIRST OBSERVED ON MAY 30, 1868, WHEN FLOWERS WERE PLACED ON UNION AND 
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS  GRAVES IN ARLINGTION NATIONAL CEMETERY.  EVER 
SINCE, AMERICANS HAVE SET ASIDE A DAY IN MAY TO OBSERVE MEMORIAL DAY 
AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF 
OUR GREAT NATION.
2.  IN DECEMBER OF 2000, THE  NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE  
RESOLUTION WAS PASSED, REMINDING AMERICANS OF THE TRUE PURPOSE OF THIS 
DAY OF REFLECTION.  THE RESOLUTION ASKS ALL AMERICANS  TO VOLUNTARILY 
AND INFORMALLY OBSERVE IN THEIR OWN WAY A MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE AND 
RESPECT, PAUSING FROM WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE 
OR LISTENING TO TAPS  AT 3:00 PM LOCAL TIME.  THIS YEAR, AS WE REFLECT 
ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND SACRIFICES OF ALL WHO HAVE SERVED, I ENCOURAGE 
YOU TO REMEMBER AND HONOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES DEFENDING 
THIS NATION S  IDEALS OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY, NOT FOR JUST A MOMENT, 
BUT RATHER THROUGHOUT THE DAY.  WE OWE THEM A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR 
PRESERVING THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY THAT WE CLAIM AS OUR BIRTHRIGHT. 
3.  TO OUR SAILORS, MARINES AND THEIR FAMILIES, I ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU 
FOR YOUR CONTIRIBUTIONS, DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE NAVY, MARINE 
CORPS, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
4.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE DONALD C. WINTER, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.//

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