R 211904Z Jan 09
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 001/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/1ST MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  ON BEHALF OF ALL MARINES, I AM HONORED TO CONGRATULATE THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION ON THE 68TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR ACTIVATION.  SINCE 1 FEBRUARY 1941, YOU HAVE ACHIEVED AN ENDURING LEGACY OF COURAGE, DETERMINATION AND SELF-SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF OUR GREAT NATION.
2.  WHETHER IN THE ATTACK AT GUADALCANAL, PELELIU, OR OKINAWA; INCHON-SEOUL OR THE CHOSIN RESERVOIR; QUANG TRI OR HUE; DESERT STORM OR AL ANBAR PROVINCE, BOTH OLD BREED AND NEW BREED MARINES WERE TRAINED, MOLDED, AND HARDENED IN THE FIRES OF THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION'S MANY ILLUSTRIOUS CAMPAIGNS.  THE NINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS AWARDED TO THE DIVISION ATTEST TO YOUR WELL-EARNED REPUTATION FOR VALOR AND SUSTAINED WARFIGHTING EXCELLENCE.
3.  AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR RICH HERITAGE AND MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PLEASE REMEMBER THOSE COMRADES WHO NOW LIVE ONLY IN OUR HEARTS AND MEMORIES.  THEIR DEEDS AND SACRIFICES IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM ARE FOREVER ENGRAVED ON THE GLORIOUS PAGES OF YOUR STELLAR HISTORY.
4.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND SEMPER FIDELIS!  JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//