R 010003Z JUL 99
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//CMC//
TO ALMAR
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UNCLAS //N05000//
ALMAR 022/99
MSGID/GENADMIN//
SUBJ/INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
//
RMKS/1. ON JULY 4, 1776, HISTORY SHOWS THAT BRAVE AMERICANS CAME
TOGETHER TO RESIST OPPRESSION AND TO FORGE A NEW FUTURE FOR
THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN SO DOING, THEY CREATED A VISION
OF FREEDOM THAT FOR 223 YEARS HAS INSPIRED THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES AND THE ENTIRE WORLD.
2. UNITED STATES MARINES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SHAPING OF THIS
VISION FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. NEW PROVIDENCE, GUANTANAMO BAY,
BELLEAU WOOD, GUADALCANAL, KOREA, HAITI, AND NOW KOSOVO ARE ALL
NAMES THAT EVOKE IMAGES OF MARINES, SERVING THEIR NATION IN
SUPPORT OF FREEDOM WITH THE HONOR, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT THAT
ARE OUR HALLMARKS.
3. IN THEIR SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES, MARINES HAVE PAID
DEARLY - GIVING UP THEIR TIME, SWEAT, AND EVEN THEIR LIVES SO THAT
THE CONCEPTS OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY EXPRESSED IN THE DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE COULD PREVAIL. AS WE MOVE INTO THE FUTURE, MARINES
WILL CONTINUE TO MEET OUR COUNTRY'S CHALLENGES, ADDING STILL MORE
TO OUR DISTINGUISHED HISTORY.
4. IN OUR CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF OUR NATION'S BIRTH,
WE SHOULD PAUSE AND REFLECT UPON THE SACRIFICES AND IDEALISM OF
THOSE WHO HAVE PRECEDED US AND REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE VALUES
OF OUR CORPS AND COUNTRY.
5. FOR ALL MARINES, MAY YOU HAVE A SAFE AND JOYFUL INDEPENDENCE
DAY.
J. L. JONES, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS.//
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