R 241930Z MAY 23
ALMAR 013/23
MSGID/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE 2023//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. President Gerald Ford once said, “There is no higher honor or more solemn privilege than to represent our Nation in paying tribute to our honored dead.” Reflecting on my time as Commandant, I wholeheartedly agree with President Ford’s sentiment. It is an honor and a privilege to represent the United States Marine Corps in paying tribute to our fallen heroes each Memorial Day. We, as a Nation, owe the deepest debt of gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and to the loved ones they left behind.
2. We erect monuments and memorials so our Nation never forgets how many have laid down their lives or sustained life-altering wounds to defend our freedoms. In many cases, notably World Wars I and II, the numbers are staggering. Memorial Day provides us an opportunity to reflect on the precious lives each of those numbers represents, the fallen heroes who epitomized the valiant fighting spirit and devotion to duty that our Nation has come to expect of her military in times of crisis.
3. As Marines, we highly value the legacy cultivated by the generations who came before us. However, peace, freedom, and global security require constant vigilance – we can’t rest on the sacrifices of the past. As we pause to honor the courageous actions and sacrifices of our fallen heroes, we also look toward carrying their legacy into the future.
4. Enjoy this holiday weekend. Stay safe and remember you are a living memorial to all our fallen heroes.
5. Semper Fidelis, David H. Berger, General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.//