R 091826Z SEP 11
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 035/11
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/3D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  ON BEHALF OF ALL MARINES, IT IS MY HONOR TO CONGRATULATE THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION AS YOU CELEBRATE 69 YEARS OF GALLANT SERVICE TO OUR NATION ON 16 SEPTEMBER. 
2.  FROM COMBATING FORMIDABLE ENEMIES AT GUAM, IWO JIMA AND KHE SANH, TO MORE RECENTLY FIGHTING A RELENTLESS ENEMY IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION HAVE EARNED A REPUTATION FOR UNCOMMON VALOR AND DEVOTION TO DUTY.  OFF THE BATTLEFIELD, YOUR SELFLESS SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC HAS EARNED YOU THE DEEP ADMIRATION AND RESPECT OF YOUR FELLOW MARINES AND THE ENTIRE NATION.
3.  AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR MANY NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS, PLEASE PAUSE TO REMEMBER YOUR FELLOW MARINES - PAST AND PRESENT - WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF LIBERTY.  YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE VALUES CHERISHED BY ALL FREEDOM-LOVING PEOPLE IS A FITTING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE YOU.
4.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND SEMPER FIDELIS.  JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//