R 162343Z MAY 08
ALMAR 018/08
UNCLASSIFIED//
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/MEMORIAL DAY SAFETY MESSAGE//
POC/RICHARD M. COYLE/GS-15/SD/-/TEL:(703)614-1202
/EMAIL: RICHARD.COYLE@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  THIS MEMORIAL DAY, WE SALUTE ALL AMERICANS WHO HAVE DIED IN SERVICE TO OUR GREAT NATION.  WE MOURN THEIR PASSING AND HONOR THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SELFLESSLY SERVE TO ENSURE OUR CONTINUED SECURITY AND PROTECT OUR IDEALS OF FREEDOM.  TODAY, IN AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, AT HOME, AND AROUND THE GLOBE, I AM PROUD OF MARINES HEROICALLY SERVING OUR NATION AND ABLY SHOULDERING THE BATTLE COLORS OF OUR CORPS.

2.  IN ADDITION TO HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES, WE KICKOFF THE SUMMER SEASON THIS MEMORIAL DAY BY GATHERING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.  FOR THOSE OF YOU AT HOME, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AND EVALUATE THE RISKS INVOLVED WITH ALL OF YOUR SUMMER ACTIVITIES, EXPECIALLY THOSE INVOLVING ALCOHOL.  FOR THOSE DEPLOYED, STAY SAFE AND SERVE WITH PRIDE KNOWING THAT WE HAVE YOU IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
3.  RECENT SAFETY INITIATIVES HAVE PLACED NCOS FRONT AND CENTER TO OUR VEHICLE SAFETY PROGRAMS AND REINFORCED PMV AND MOTORCYCLE SAFETY.  I ASK YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AS WE SET THE FOUNDATION OF SAFE PRACTICES TO PRESERVE OUR MARINES AND SAILORS AND THE EQUIPMENT THEY OPERATE.
4.  MY WIFE, ANNETTE, AND I WISH EACH OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A SAFE AND HAPPY SUMMER. 
5.  SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//