UNCLASSIFIED//
ROUTINE
R 012024Z JUL 09
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UNCLAS
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
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UNCLAS
ALNAV 048/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JUL//
SUBJ/SECNAV INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE TO THE FLEET//

RMKS/1.  TWO HUNDRED THIRTY THREE YEARS AGO TODAY, FIFTY SIX PATRIOTS 
GATHERED IN PHILADELPHIA TO PLEDGE THEIR LIVES, FORTUNES, AND SACRED 
HONOR TO THE IDEA THAT ALL CAN LIVE IN FREEDOM.  THE SIGNERS OF THE 
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE CAME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, JOINING 
TOGETHER AS ONE TO CLAIM FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR DESCENDENTS THE 
INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

2.  THE CONTINENTAL NAVY AND CONTINENTAL MARINES PLAYED CRUCIAL ROLES 
IN WINNING OUR NATIONS FREEDOM.  IN THE MONTHS AFTER THE DECLARATION, 
MARINES AND SAILORS SERVING TOGETHER ABOARD NAVAL VESSELS, LIKE THE 
CONTINENTAL FRIGATE BONHOMME RICHARD UNDER CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES TOOK 
THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMYS HOME WATERS.  NOW, AS THEN, YOU COME FROM ALL 
WALKS OF LIFE TO YOUR CALLING ON THE FRONT LINES OF FREEDOM.  YOU ARE 
TAKING THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY, FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN TO THE HORN OF 
AFRICA AND ANYWHERE LIBERTY IS THREATENED.

3.  ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AMERICANS GATHER ON THIS HOLIDAY TO CELEBRATE 
THE FREEDOMS WE ALL ENJOY.  AS THEY DO, THEIR THOUGHTS TURN TO YOU, WHO 
STAND THE WATCH ON LAND AND SEA, BENEATH THE WAVES, AND IN THE AIR.  
FROM THE FIRST STATE TO THE LAST FRONTIER, AMERICANS EVERYWHERE ARE 
THANKFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE, PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND WISH YOU 
GODSPEED.

4.  ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL NATION, THANK YOU FOR GIVING YOUR TIME AND 
YOUR TALENT IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY.  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO 
YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

5.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE RAY MABUS, 75TH SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.//

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