P 240823Z NOV 99 ZYW
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//CMC//
TO ALMAR
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UNCLAS //N01730//
ALMAR 037/99
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC/REL//
SUBJ/THANKSGIVING DAY MESSAGE//
RMKS/1. ON THIS THANKSGIVING DAY, AS AMERICANS EVERYWHERE PAUSE TO
EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE GIFTS THEY ENJOY, DIANE AND I OFFER
OUR PERSONAL THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING
THE VALUES OF THIS GREAT NATION. WHILE WE REGRET THAT MANY OF YOU
ARE FAR FROM HOME AND UNABLE TO CELEBRATE WITH YOUR FAMILIES, WE ARE
COMFORTED BY THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE THE
CAMARADERIE OF THE MARINES AND SAILORS WHOSE FELLOWSHIP WE VALUE SO
HIGHLY.
2. WE ARE ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DEDICATE
THEMSELVES TO LIVES OF SELFLESS SACRIFICE FOR COUNTRY AND CORPS.
MARINE FAMILIES ARE AN INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF PRIDE AND
INSPIRATION. ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT WEAR THE UNIFORM, THEY ARE ALSO
"MARINES" IN THE TRUEST SENSE OF THE WORD, AND WE ARE HONORED BY THE
PRIVILEGE OF SERVING WITH THEM.
3. ON THIS THANKSGIVING DAY, WE JOIN WITH ALL MEMBERS OF THE MARINE
FAMILY IN OFFERING THANKS FOR THE ABUNDANT BLESSINGS BESTOWED UPON
OUR LAND AND OUR CORPS. BEST WISHES FOR A JOYOUS AND FESTIVE
THANKSGIVING. SEMPER FIDELIS. GENERAL JAMES L. JONES, COMMANDANT
OF THE MARINE CORPS.//
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