R 010050Z FEB 12
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 002/12
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS //
SUBJ/2D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY //
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN CONGRATULATING THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 2D MARINE DIVISION (2D MARDIV) ON YOUR 71ST ANNIVERSARY. SINCE ITS ACTIVATION ON 1 FEBRUARY 1941, THE 2D MARDIV HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION AND EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION IN EVERY CLIME AND PLACE.
2. BORN AT THE GENESIS OF WORLD WAR II, THE 2D MARDIV HEROICALLY DEFENDED FREEDOM IN THE FARTHEST REACHES OF THE GLOBE. FOR DECADES, THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE "FOLLOW ME DIVISION" HAVE PROVEN VERSATILE AND RESPONSIVE TO ANY NEED. WHETHER PROVIDING SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKES AND HURRICANES, OR PROVIDING A STABILIZING FORCE IN FRAGILE COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE 2D MARDIV HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE NATION'S DEFENSE.
3. AS YOU CELEBRATE THIS ANNIVERSARY, KNOW THAT YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT NATION AND SACRIFICES YOU HAVE MADE ARE HONORED BY YOUR FELLOW MARINES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
4. CONGRATULATIONS AND SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//