R 010058Z FEB 12
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 003/12
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/1ST MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE THAT I CONGRATULATE THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION (1ST MARDIV) ON YOUR 71ST ANNIVERSARY.  SINCE ITS ACTIVATION ON 1 FEBRUARY 1941, THE 1ST MARDIV HAS SERVED WITH GREAT DISTINCTION AND STEADFAST FIDELITY.
2.  FROM GUADALCANAL TO THE HELMAND PROVINCE OF AFGHANISTAN, THE "BLUE DIAMOND" HAS AMASSED A LEGACY OF UNDAUNTED COURAGE AND EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONALISM.  HELPING THOSE STRICKEN BY DISASTER OR FAMINE, ASSISTING PARTNERED SECURITY FORCES AND RELENTLESSLY REDUCING A FANATICAL AND DESPERATE ENEMY, 1ST MARDIV PROUDLY EXEMPLIFIES "NO BETTER FRIEND - NO WORSE ENEMY."
3.  AS YOU CELEBRATE THIS ANNIVERSARY, KNOW THAT ALL MARINES HONOR YOUR SERVICE AND THE SACRIFICES YOU HAVE MADE ON BEHALF OF OUR GREAT NATION AND OUR CORPS.
4.  WE WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS.  SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//