ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
 
PRIORITY       
 
P 091905Z OCT 03 ZYB MIN PSN 038915J26
 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N00//
 
TO NAVADMIN
 
UNCLAS //N00//
NAVADMIN 274/03
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N00/-/OCT//
 
SUBJ/U.S. NAVY 228TH BIRTHDAY//
 
RMKS/1.  AS WE CELEBRATE THE NAVY'S 228TH BIRTHDAY, OUR MISSION
REMAINS CLEAR: WE MUST PROTECT OUR HOMELAND, OUR FREEDOM, AND OUR
WAY OF LIFE BY STOPPING THE FORCES OF TERRORISM WHEREVER THEY
MAY HIDE.
 
2.  THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM PUTS EVERY ONE OF US ON THE FRONT
LINES.  CONTINUED SUCCESS DEMANDS OUR FULLEST MEASURE OF HONOR,
COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT - THE VERY SAME QUALITIES THAT HAVE DEFINED
OUR INSTITUTION FOR MORE THAN TWO AND A QUARTER CENTURIES.
 
3.  YOU HAVE PERFORMED SUPERBLY IN OPERATIONS IRAQI FREEDOM AND
ENDURING FREEDOM THIS YEAR.  OUR NAVY WAS A DECISIVE FORCE THAT
BROUGHT SPEED, AGILITY, AND PERSISTENCE TO THE JOINT FIGHT:
SPEED IN LAUNCHING A JOINT DECAPITATION STRIKE AT THE ONSET OF
COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ; AGILITY AS OUR NAVY OPERATED IN UNISON AS
A DISTRIBUTED FORCE FROM THREE SEPARATE AXES OF ATTACK; AND
PERSISTENCE AS AIRCRAFT, SHIPS, AND SUBMARINES PROVIDED SEAMLESS
COMBAT CAPABILITY TO JOINT FORCES ASHORE FOR DAYS ON END.  OUR NAVY
HAS NEVER BEEN MORE READY THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW, AND OUR PERFORMANCE
IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN HAS SHOWN HOW SUPERIOR READINESS AND
CAPABILITY TRANSLATES INTO DECISIVE VICTORY.
 
4.  WE ARE THE GREATEST NAVY IN THE WORLD BECAUSE OF YOU.  YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS AND EMBRACE THE CHANGES THAT
ENHANCE OUR CAPABILITY IS HELPING CHART A COURSE TO THE FUTURE.
IT WILL ENSURE THIS INSTITUTION, THE UNITED STATES NAVY, REMAINS THE
GREATEST NAVY TO EVER SET SAIL.  I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF YOU.
 
5.  TAKE PRIDE IN THIS GREAT NAVY AND NATION IN WHICH YOU SERVE.
YOUR SERVICE IS HELPING TO KEEP AMERICA A LIGHTHOUSE OF HOPE AND A
BEACON OF FREEDOM.  I AM HONORED TO SERVE WITH YOU.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
SHIPMATES.
 
6. ADMIRAL VERN CLARK SENDS.//
 
BT
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