ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
 
ROUTINE       
 
R 190150Z DEC 00 ZYB MIN PSN 215644J22
 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N00//
 
TO NAVADMIN
 
UNCLAS //N05060//
NAVADMIN 322/00
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO N00//
 
SUBJ/HOLIDAY GREETING//
 
RMKS/1.  IN THIS SEASON OF HOLIDAYS AND FAMILY, PLEASE ACCEPT MY
WARMEST WISHES AND GRATITUDE FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE NAVY, THE
UNITED STATES, AND THE WORLD.
 
2.  IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT DEDICATION TO SERVICE DRIVES
OUR NAVAL FORCES WITH A POWER STRONGER THAN THE CONVENTIONAL AND
NUCLEAR POWER THAT KEEP MANY OF OUR SHIPMATES FORWARD DEPLOYED
DURING THESE HOLIDAYS.
 
3.  IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR THAT OUR NAVY SHOULDERS THE MANTLE OF
KEEPING THE PEACE.  OUR FORCES AT SEA TODAY PROTECT OUR LIBERTIES
FOR TOMORROW AND THE NEW YEAR TO COME.  YOUR DEDICATION AND
COMMITMENT TO THESE PRINCIPLES IS WHAT IS SO ADMIRED BY THE CITIZENS
OF OUR NATION.
 
4.  THE RECENT EVENTS INVOLVING USS COLE MAKE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
BITTERSWEET.  THE COURAGE OF HER CREW EXEMPLIFIES WHAT THIS NAVY IS.
WE MUST REMEMBER OUR 17 SHIPMATES WHO WENT BEFORE US.  THEY ANSWERED
THE CALL TO SERVICE AND MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.  KEEP THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS IN YOUR
THOUGHTS.  LET ME ALSO REMIND YOU THAT ETERNAL VIGILANCE APPLIES TO
EACH OF US.  A WATCHFUL EYE AND AWARENESS OF THREATS SPECIFIC TO
YOUR AREA ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST ACTIONS BY POTENTIAL
ENEMIES.  LOOK OUT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SHIPMATES.  YOU ARE OUR
GREATEST ASSET.
 
5.  FOR THOSE OF YOU SERVING AFAR AND AWAY FROM FAMILY, KNOW THAT
YOUR SACRIFICE IS RECOGNIZED, YOUR MISSION IS WORTHWHILE, AND YOUR
SERVICE IS APPRECIATED.
 
6.  IN THE COMING YEAR, WE WILL SURELY BE CALLED UPON AGAIN TO
PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF A GRATEFUL NATION.  BECAUSE OF YOUR HARD
WORK, YOUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND YOUR STRENGTH OF CHARACTER,
THIS NAVY WILL FOREVER ANSWER THAT CALL--"WE ARE READY."
 
7.  I AM PROUD TO SERVE WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.  KEEP UP THE
GREAT WORK AND HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.
 
8.  RELEASED BY ADM VERN CLARK, CNO.//
 
BT