COMMANDANTS ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE TO THE CHAPLAIN CORPS
Date Signed: 11/24/2010 | ALMARS Number: 045/10
ALMARS : 045/10
R 241252Z NOV 10
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 045/10
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/COMMANDANTS ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE TO THE CHAPLAIN CORPS//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/-1.  ON 28 NOVEMBER 2010, WE COMMEMORATE THE 235TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS.  NAVY CHAPLAINS CONTINUE TO SERVE ALONGSIDE MARINES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. SINCE 1775, CHAPLAINS HAVE PROVEN THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO GIVE THEIR ALL TO CARE FOR THE SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING OF MARINES, SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILIES. 
2.  CHAPLAINS ARE OUR SPIRITUAL FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE.  THEY COMPASSIONATELY AND SELFLESSLY CARE FOR THE INJURED, HONOR THE FALLEN AND CONSOLE THE GRIEVING.  THEY PROVIDE INSIGHT, INSPIRATION AND SUPPORT ON THE FRONT LINE.  THEIR MESSAGE OF HOPE, DIGNITY AND FAITH HAS HELPED COUNTLESS MARINES AND SAILORS WEATHER DIFFICULT TIMES.  REGARDLESS OF THE MISSION, NAVY CHAPLAINS PROVIDE CRITICAL SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, STRENGTHEN THE RESILIENCY OF OUR FORCE, AND ENHANCE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY READINESS.
3.  CHAPLAINS AND RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS, BOTH ACTIVE AND RESERVE, CONTRIBUTE IMMEASURABLY TO THE HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND READINESS OF OUR ENTIRE MARINE CORPS FAMILY.  THE VALUABLE SERVICE THEY PROVIDE CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.  MARINES AROUND THE GLOBE THANK OUR CHAPLAINS FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE AT A CRITICAL TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY AND FOR ALL THEY DO TO STRENGTHEN FAITH, VALUES AND VIRTUES THROUGHOUT OUR CORPS.  MAY THEY BE BLESSED IN FULFILLING THEIR SACRED CALL TO SERVE AS THEY CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON A REPUTATION OF EXCELLENCE, SELFLESSNESS AND SACRIFICE. 
4.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND SEMPER FIDELIS.  JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//