R 251730Z FEB 03
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(n)
TO ML ALMAR(n)
ALMAR
BT
UNCLAS
ALMAR 015/03
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/FAREWELL TO NAVY-MARINE CORPS TEAM/UNDER SECRETARY OF THE NAVY//
RMKS/1.  TODAY, I STEP DOWN AS YOUR UNDER SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.  IT
HAS BEEN THE GREATEST HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF MY LIFE TO SERVE WITH
EACH OF YOU SINCE ASSUMING THE POST IN JULY 2001.  DURING MY TIME
WITH YOU, I MET EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE, FROM OUR FAMILY MEMBERS TO THOSE
WHO WEAR THE NATION'S CLOTH TO OUR NAVAL CIVILIANS.  THESE PEOPLE,
JUST A FRACTION OF THE GREATER WHOLE, REPRESENTED ALL OF YOU SO VERY
WELL.  IN THEIR COURAGE, COMMITMENT, INTEGRITY, AND SELFLESS SERVICE
TO OUR NATION, THEY CONFIRMED OUR SHARED VALUES THAT MAKE US THE
NAVY-MARINE CORPS TEAM.  BEING PART OF THAT TEAM - THAT FAMILY - IS
SOMETHING I WILL TREASURE ALWAYS.
2.  YOUR NOBLE CHOICE TO SERVE OUR NATION HAS RIGHTFULLY EARNED YOU
THE RESPECT, ADMIRATION AND CONFIDENCE OF YOU FELLOW COUNTRYMEN.
YOU REPRESENT WHAT IS BEST ABOUT AMERICA AND INSPIRE ALL OF US TO
PRESERVE WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOOD FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.  TODAY YOU
FACE SPECIAL CHALLENGES AND HARDSHIP, BUT TOGETHER, THE TEAM - THE
FAMILY - WILL PREVAIL.  I HAVE SEEN AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE
TRAINED...YOU ARE READY...YOU ARE DEDICATED AND SMART...YOU BELIEVE
IN WHAT YOU DO.  TOGETHER, THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS FORM THE MOST
MAGNIFICENT FIGHTING FORCE AND PARTNERSHIP IN HISTORY, AND I AM SO
VERY PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
3.  SHORTLY AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, A FOURTH GRADE GIRL DESCRIBED
PATRIOTISM AS TAKING CARE OF AMERICA.  THIS DEFINITION FITS WELL FOR
WHAT EACH OF YOU ARE DOING TODAY, AND I THANK ALL OF YOU AND YOUR
FAMILIES FOR YOUR PATRIOTISM AND FOR TAKING CARE OF AMERICA.
4.  I AM LEAVING MY POSITION TODAY, BUT THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS TEAM
WILL BE IN MY HEART AND SOUL FOREVER.  THANK YOU FOR THIS GIFT OF
BEING PART OF YOUR NAVAL FAMILY.  THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF
SERVING WITH YOU.  AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO SERVE OUR NATION
AND LIVING A LIFE OF CONTRIBUTION AND CONSEQUENCE.  GOD BLESS AND
PROTECT YOU ALWAYS.
5.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE SUSAN M. LIVINGSTONE, UNDER SECRETARY
OF THE NAVY.//