114TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. NAVY HOSPITAL CORPS
Date Signed: 6/12/2012 | ALMARS Number: 022/12
ALMARS : 022/12
R 121240Z JUN 12
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 022/12
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/114TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. NAVY HOSPITAL CORPS//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  ON BEHALF OF MARINES EVERYWHERE, IT IS MY DISTINCT HONOR TO CONGRATULATE ALL U.S. NAVY HOSPITAL CORPSMEN AS YOU CELEBRATE THE 114TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOSPITAL CORPS.
2.  SINCE 17 JUNE 1898, NAVY CORPSMEN, MOST COMMONLY CALLED "DOC," HAVE CONTINUALLY EARNED THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF ALL MARINES - PAST AND PRESENT.  ABOARD SHIP, IN FAR OFF LANDS AND IN THE FIERCEST OF BATTLES, THESE SAILORS HAVE FAITHFULLY SERVED SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH MARINES.  THEY HAVE DONE SO CARRYING ONLY A SMALL BAG ON THEIR BACKS AND COURAGE IN THEIR HEARTS.  TODAY, THEY DO MUCH THE SAME - OFTEN DISREGARDING THEIR OWN SAFETY TO AID A WOUNDED MARINE. ALTHOUGH THE TOOLS AND THE TRAINING ARE VASTLY IMPROVED, THE INDOMITABLE SPIRIT OF OUR CORPSMEN HAS NOT CHANGED.
3.  AS YOU REFLECT UPON YOUR HERITAGE, KNOW THAT MARINES AROUND THE GLOBE SALUTE THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE OF THE NAVY HOSPITAL CORPS. THE CARE YOU PROVIDE OUR MARINES, IN COMBAT AND IN GARRISON, REFLECTS YOUR GREAT DEVOTION TO DUTY.  WHILE YOU CELEBRATE THIS ANNIVERSARY, PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER THOSE THAT HAVE GONE BEFORE YOU AND MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION.
4.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//