261954Z AUG 11
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 033/11
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/LABOR DAY MESSAGE 2011//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  LABOR DAY IS DEDICATED TO THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF AMERICAN WORKERS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROSPERITY AND STRENGTH OF OUR GREAT NATION.  FOR MOST AMERICANS, THIS HOLIDAY MARKS THE TRADITIONAL END OF SUMMER AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FINAL SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE SEASON. THE MARINES AND SAILORS FORWARD DEPLOYED WHO MAY NOT BE OFFERED THE LABOR DAY RESPITE ARE NEVER FAR FROM OUR THOUGHTS AS WE CELEBRATE THIS LAST SUMMER HOLIDAY - ENJOYING TIME OFF WORK WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
2.  WHILE PLANNING AND CELEBRATING THIS WELL-DESERVED BREAK, REMEMBER THE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HOLIDAY TRAVELS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.  WE STILL LOSE TOO MANY MARINES DUE TO NEGLIGENCE AND CARELESSNESS.  OF THE 44 MARINE OFF-DUTY FATALITIES THIS YEAR, MOST INVOLVED MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS WITH CONTRIBUTING FACTORS OF EXCESSIVE SPEED, DISTRACTED DRIVING, FAILURE TO WEAR SEATBELTS, FATIGUE AND IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF ALCOHOL.
3.  AS WE EMBARK UPON THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, I CHARGE EVERY MARINE TO EMBODY OUR ETHOS - THAT WE ARE ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO SERVE OUR NATION AND IN DOING SO, WE MUST ALWAYS USE GOOD JUDGMENT AND SOUND DECISION MAKING WHEN PLANNING AND EXECUTING OUR OFF-DUTY ACTIVITIES.  LEADERS AT EVERY RANK, LOOK YOUR MARINES AND SAILORS IN THE EYE, UNDERSTAND HOW THEY ARE DOING AND WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE.  MAKE FORCE PRESERVATION A PRIORITY.
4.  I CONTINUE TO BE AMAZED BY EVERY SINGLE THING YOU DO - YOUR SELFLESSNESS, YOUR EFFORTS, YOUR ENDURANCE AND YOUR COURAGE.  AS AMERICA'S EXPEDITIONARY FORCE IN READINESS, I NEED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHEN OUR NATION CALLS.  WITH THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF EVERY MARINE WITHIN OUR CORPS, WE CAN PRESERVE OUR MOST PRECIOUS ASSET, THE INDIVIDUAL MARINE, SAILOR AND CIVILIAN MARINE, TO BE THE MOST READY WHEN THE NATION CALLS.  I WISH YOU A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY. 
5.  SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//