R 021559Z JUL 09
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 021/09
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC/DMCS//
SUBJ/68TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1ST MARINE AIRCRAFT WING//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. IT IS MY HONOR TO SALUTE THE GALLANT WARRIORS OF THE 1ST MARINE AIRCRAFT WING AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR 68TH ANNIVERSARY.
2. FROM THE ACTIVATION OF YOUR STORIED UNIT ON 7 JULY 1941 AT MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF 1ST MAW HAVE MADE A VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM OF OUR NATION. FROM THE PACIFIC ISLAND BATTLEFIELDS OF WORLD WAR II, THE SNOW AND ICE OF KOREA, AND THE JUNGLES OF VIETNAM TO THE SANDS AND MOUNTAINS OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, 1ST MAW HAS CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED ITS ABILITY TO DEPLOY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON LITTLE NOTICE, AND TO FIGHT AND WIN UPON ARRIVAL. YOUR COMMITMENT AND COURAGE IN THE ONGOING GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR IS A VISIBLE TRIBUTE TO YOUR WARFIGHTING CAPABILITIES.
3. AS YOU CELEBRATE A LEGACY OF SELFLESS SERVICE TO OUR GREAT REPUBLIC, AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF TO MILLIONS OF DISTRESSED PEOPLES AROUND THE WORLD, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE THE ADMIRATION AND CONTINUED WISHES FOR SUCCESS FROM YOUR FELLOW MARINES AND A GRATEFUL NATION.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//