UNCLASSIFIED//
R 082304Z NOV 07
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
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UNCLAS
ALNAV 076/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/NOV// 
SUBJ/SECNAV MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE// 
RMKS/1.  THE CHARACTER OF AN INSTITUTION IS STAMPED BY ITS FOUNDING 
MEMBERS AND ITS FOUNDING SPIRIT.  ON NOVEMBER 10, 1775, THE SECOND 
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS COMMISSIONED SAMUEL NICHOLAS TO RAISE TWO 
BATTALIONS OF MARINES.  THAT VERY DAY, NICHOLAS WENT TO TUN TAVERN AND 
BEGAN RECRUITING THE BRAVEST MEN HE COULD FIND.  THE UNITED STATES 
MARINE CORPS WAS BORN.
2.  TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO YEARS LATER, THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 
STILL REFLECTS THE CHARACTER OF ITS FOUNDERS ?FIRST TO THE FIGHT, THE 
BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE, WARRIORS WHO ROUTINELY ACCOMPLISH MISSIONS WHICH 
NO ONE THOUGHT POSSIBLE.  THE ASTONISHING TURNAROUND IN ANBAR PROVINCE 
BROUGHT ABOUT BY COURAGEOUS MARINES IS MERELY ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF TRULY 
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN THE MARINE CORPS LONG HISTORY OF GREAT DEEDS 
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
3.  YOU ARE THE BEST, EVERY PATRIOTIC AMERICAN HOLDS YOU IN THEIR 
HEARTS AS IRREPRESSIBLE DEFENDERS OF OUR LIBERTY.  ON BEHALF OF A 
GRATEFUL NATION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU ARE ENGAGED IN A NOBLE 
AND WORTHY ENDEAVOR, AND YOUR SACRIFICES KEEP OUR COUNTRY SAFE.  YOU DO 
US PROUD, AND I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS YOUR SECRETARY.  SEMPER FIDELIS.
4.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE DONALD C. WINTER, SECRETARY OF THE 
NAVY.//

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