ROUTINE      
R 250800Z NOV 98
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//CMC//
TO ALMAR
UNCLAS  //N05060//
ALMAR 362/98
MSGID/GENADMIN//
SUBJ/THANKSGIVING DAY MESSAGE//
RMKS/1.  FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD HAVE
CELEBRATED HARVEST FESTIVALS THAT OFTEN INCLUDED DAYS OF THANKSGIVING
FOR PLENTIFUL CROPS.  BEGINNING WITH THE PLYMOUTH COLONISTS IN 1621,
WE HAVE HAD A CONTINUAL REMEMBRANCE TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR
BLESSINGS RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR.  AMERICANS HAVE ALWAYS HAD REASON
TO GIVE THANKS, AND THUS WE FORMALIZED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DAY OF
THANKSGIVING FOR OUR NATION'S BOUNTY AND BLESSINGS.
2.  AS AMERICAN FAMILIES GATHER TO CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING DAY, IT IS
MY HOPE THEY GIVE THANKS FOR THEIR BLESSINGS AND FOR YOU--MARINES,
SAILORS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS--WHO ALLOW ALL AMERICANS TO BE THANKFUL
FOR THIS WAY OF LIFE.  BE ASSURED YOUR SACRIFICE AND SERVICE TO OUR
NATION AND OUR CORPS WILL BE REMEMBERED IN MY HOME!  ZANDI AND I
WILL REMEMBER YOU IN OUR PRAYERS.  WE WILL GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.  WE WILL ASK A BLESSING FOR THOSE WHO ARE
ABSENT FROM THE DINNER TABLES, AND FOR THE FAMILY REUNIONS SO OFTEN
TAKEN FOR GRANTED.  WE GIVE THANKS KNOWING THAT EVEN THOSE OF YOU
WHO ARE AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY WILL NOT BE ALONE.  YOU WILL HAVE THE
CAMARADERIE AND STRENGTH OF FELLOW MARINES AND SAILORS; OBSERVING
THANKSGIVING IN THE FIELD, IN A DINING FACILITY, OR ON A SHIP.
3.  ON THIS WONDERFUL DAY, I AM THANKFUL FOR MANY THINGS; I AM MOST
THANKFUL FOR THE HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU IN OUR PRECIOUS CORPS.
REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU ARE, PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE
AND BEST WISHES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES ON THIS BLESSED
THANKSGIVING DAY.  SEMPER FIDELIS, C.C. KRULAK, GENERAL,
U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//
BT