R 261338Z NOV 24
ALMAR 032/24
MSGID/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/THANKSGIVING SAFETY MESSAGE 2024//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  For many, Thanksgiving Day represents the
beginning of the holiday season and offers us an occasion to
celebrate with family and friends.  As you gather with your loved
ones this year, I want to thank each of you for the effort and
discipline you exert on a daily basis and for your dedicated service
to our Nation.  I also encourage you to be mindful of your fellow
Marines who are forward deployed or otherwise unable to be with
family at this time.
2.  Enjoy this well-earned holiday, but also remember that the
safety of every Marine is critical to the readiness of our Corps.
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the most dangerous for
travel.  We continue to needlessly lose Marines to traffic 
accidents.  I charge all small unit leaders to know the details of
their Marines’ travel plans and all Marines to make smart decisions
and accept no unnecessary risks.  Plan for mission success; allow
adequate time for traffic, bad weather, and sleep; and return ready
to fight.  If conditions change, update your plan and always
communicate with your leadership.  We can’t afford to lose any of
you; one Marine killed or injured is one too many.  
3.  Every Marine, Sailor, and Civilian Marine has contributed to our
reputation as the world’s most formidable, capable, and respected
military organization.  I am proud of and thankful for each of you.
Enjoy the holiday and take care of yourselves, your family, and your
fellow Marines and Sailors.  Have a safe, fun, and happy 
Thanksgiving.    
4.  Semper Fidelis, Eric M. Smith, General, U.S. Marine Corps,
Commandant of the Marine Corps.//