251742Z JAN 07
CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
TO ALMAR
AL ALMAR(UC)
ALMAR 004/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/2D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE//
POC/SGT M. BELL/ADMIN CHIEF/CMC STAFF GROUP/-/TEL:(703) 614-2326//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/ 1.  I AM HONORED TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 2D MARINE DIVISION
ON THE 66TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR ACTIVATION.  FROM ITS INCEPTION IN
1941, YOUR DIVISION HAS EARNED ITS REPUTATION FOR AGGRESSIVE ACTION
AND RESOLUTE DETERMINATION IN SOME OF OUR CORPS' MOST DIFFICULT
BATTLES.  "FOLLOW ME" HAS SERVED AS BOTH A RALLYING CRY AND THE
REFLECTION OF THE DIVISION'S UNYIELDING COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. 
2.  BEGINNING IN WORLD WAR II, THE 2D MARINE DIVISION HAS RESPONDED
TO OUR NATION'S CALL WITH TOUGHNESS AND PROFESSIONALISM.  DURING OUR
CURRENT CONFLICT, THE DIVISION AGAIN UPHELD ITS PROUD TRADITION OF
BRINGING LETHAL EFFECTIVENESS TO ANY FIGHT.  THE MARINES AND SAILORS
WHO SERVE IN THE DIVISION HAVE REASON TO LOOK BACK WITH CONSIDERABLE
PRIDE ON THEIR COLLECTIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FIGHTING SPIRIT. 
3.  AS WE COMMEMORATE THIS MILESTONE, I ENCOURAGE THE MARINES AND
SAILORS OF THE 2D MARINE DIVISION TO REMEMBER THEIR HEROIC
PREDECESSORS IN ARMS.  YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND TO OUR CORPS
IS LEAVING A SIMILAR LEGACY FOR THOSE WHO SERVE AFTER YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS AND SEMPER FIDELIS!  J. T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S.
MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//