R 201602Z NOV 09
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 038/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC REL//
SUBJ/234TH BIRTHDAY OF THE U.S. NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. ON 28 NOVEMBER 2009, THE UNITED STATES NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS WILL CELEBRATE ITS 234TH BIRTHDAY. FROM THE EARLIEST BATTLES WAGED BY THE CONTINENTAL NAVY TO THE CURRENT CONFLICTS IN ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ AND THE HELMAND RIVER VALLEY OF AFGHANISTAN, NAVY CHAPLAINS HAVE PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY TO MINISTER TO OUR MARINES, SAILORS, AND THEIR FAMILIES. THESE EXCEPTIONALLY DEVOTED MEN AND WOMEN HAVE PROVIDED OUR WARRIORS WITH THE MORAL STRENGTH, COMPASSIONATE CARE, INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP, AND DEEP FAITH TO MAINTAIN CONSTANT READINESS AND ACCOMPLISH ANY MISSION.
2. WHEREVER OUR MARINES HAVE BEEN CALLED TO SERVE, CHAPLAINS HAVE STOOD BY OUR SIDE. YOUR SAGE COUNSEL IS INVALUABLE, AND YOUR PERSONAL SACRIFICES ON THE FIELDS OF BATTLE ARE LEGENDARY. YOUR CALM, REASSURING PRESENCE IN THE TRENCHES HAS ALLOWED US TO THRIVE DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS WE HAVE FACED AND CONTINUES TO GUIDE US THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES TODAY.
3. AS YOU PAUSE AND REFLECT ON YOUR ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY, KNOW THAT MARINES SERVING AROUND THE GLOBE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE AND UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO DUTY. ON BEHALF OF ALL MARINES, I EXTEND HEARTIEST GREETINGS ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION AND WISH THE CHAPLAIN CORPS A VERY HAPPY 234TH BIRTHDAY.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//