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SUBJ/CMC'S INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE//
RMKS/1.  INDEPENDENCE DAY DOES FAR MORE THAN PROVIDE AMERICANS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION.  IT REMINDS US
ALL THAT FREEDOM AND PERSONAL LIBERTY ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE
DEDICATED EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO STAND UP TO TYRANNY AND
OPPRESSION.
2.  AS AMERICANS PAUSE ON JULY 4TH TO CELEBRATE THE 224TH ANNIVERSARY
OF OUR NATION'S INDEPENDENCE, WE SHOULD REMEMBER THE TRUE COST OF
THE FREEDOMS WE ENJOY.  THROUGHOUT OUR NATION'S HISTORY, BRAVE MEN
AND WOMEN HAVE STEPPED FORWARD TO DEFEND THE IDEALS WE, AS
AMERICANS, CHERISH.
3.  EVEN TODAY, IN PLACES LIKE KOSOVO, EAST TIMOR AND KUWAIT, MARINES
SERVE AS THE HARBINGERS OF FREEDOM AND HOPE FOR COUNTLESS PEOPLE.
THESE MARINES GUARD NOT ONLY THE CITIZENS OF OUR GREAT NATION, BUT
ALSO THOSE WHO CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES.
4.  ALTHOUGH EACH PASSING YEAR MAY CHANGE THE SCOPE OF GLOBAL
CONFLICT, AMERICA CAN REST ASSURED THAT HER MARINES ARE EVER
VIGILANT, READY TO ANSWER THE NATION'S CALL.  AS WE CELEBRATE OUR
INDEPENDENCE, LET US BE EVER MINDFUL OF OUR DUTY TO OUR FELLOW
MARINES, AMERICANS AND NEIGHBORS AROUND THE GLOBE.  ENJOY A HAPPY AND
SAFE INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY.
5.  SEMPER FIDELIS.  J. L. JONES, GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//
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