R 251831Z JUN 2010
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 023/10
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/2010 INDEPENDENCE DAY SAFETY AND FORCE PRESERVATION MESSAGE//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  AS A NATION BORN IN BATTLE AND FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY AND JUSTICE, WE TAKE TIME THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY TO PAY HOMAGE TO OUR FOUNDING FATHERS AND TO ALL AMERICANS WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND PRESERVED OUR WAY OF LIFE. AS WE CELEBRATE OUR NATION'S FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE, LET US NOT FORGET THOSE SERVING IN HARM'S WAY TODAY.
2.  JUST AS WE TAKE CARE OF OUR BATTLE BUDDIES FORWARD DEPLOYED, WE MUST DO THE SAME HERE AT HOME.  THE LOSS OF EVEN ONE MARINE OR SAILOR TO A PREVENTABLE INCIDENT LIKE EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, FIREARM MISHANDLING, OR RECKLESS VEHICLE OPERATION IS UNACCEPTABLE. LEADERSHIP MUST ENGAGE AT ALL LEVELS TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION AND TRUST AND PREVENT SMALL PROBLEMS FROM BECOMING MISHAPS OR FATALITIES. STAY INVOLVED IN THE PERSONAL LIVES OF YOUR MARINES AND SAILORS TO IDENTIFY AND INTERVENE IN SITUATIONS BEFORE THEY TURN DEADLY.  YOUR LEADERSHIP IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, BUT WE NEED TO STAY AFTER IT, ONE LIFE AT A TIME.
3.  ENJOY YOUR WELL-DESERVED TIME OFF WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS WEEKEND - HAVE FUN.  I ASK YOU TO APPLY THE SAME DELIBERATE RISK MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING APPROACH YOU WOULD USE ON-DUTY TO YOUR OFF-DUTY AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.  FOR THOSE OF YOU DEPLOYED AWAY FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS, CONTINUE WATCHING OUT FOR AND TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER.  YOUR CORPS NEEDS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE.  IT IS BECAUSE OF YOUR EFFORTS THAT EVERY AMERICAN CAN ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.  TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE MEANING OF THIS HOLIDAY AND THE FREEDOMS FOR WHICH WE STAND READY TO FIGHT.  STAY SAFE AND HAVE AN ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY AND SUMMER.
4.  SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//