R 241617Z JAN 11
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 003/11
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/2D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  IT IS AN HONOR TO EXTEND HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 2D MARINE DIVISION AS YOU COMMEMORATE YOUR 70TH ANNIVERSARY.  SINCE 1 FEBRUARY 1941, THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF 2D MARINE DIVISION HAVE DEMONSTRATED UNWAVERING WARFIGHTING PROWESS AND DEVOTION TO COUNTRY AND CORPS.
2.  THE BATTLE HISTORY OF 2D MARINE DIVISION IS A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED ONE.  FROM MEDITERRANEAN SHORES TO THE ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC AND THE CARIBBEAN TO THE DESERTS OF IRAQ AND THE MOUNTAINS OF AFGHANISTAN, THE "FOLLOW ME DIVISION" IS SECOND TO NONE AT RESPONDING QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ANY CONTINGENCY AND QUELLING ANY FOE.
3.  WHILE CELEBRATING THE ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY OF YOUR DIVISION, TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE HONORABLE SERVICE OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE AND THE SELFLESS COURAGE OF ALL WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES ON THE FIELD OF HONOR.
4.  CONGRATULATIONS AND SEMPER FIDELIS.  JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//