UNCLASSIFIED//
UNCLAS
041647Z SEP 07
CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
R 3D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE
ALMAR 039/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/EDCOM PRES MCU QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/3D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE//
POC/AUILINA, R./CIV/HD/-/-//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/
1.  IT IS MY HONOR TO SALUTE THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION UPON THE OCCASION OF YOUR 65TH ANNIVERSARY.  SINCE 16 SEPTEMBER 1942, YOUR FIGHTING VALOR AND INDOMITABLE SPIRIT HAVE MADE A LASTING CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM.
2.  BORN IN THE CRUCIBLE OF WAR, THE 3D MARINE DIVISION HAS HEROICALLY DEFENDED FREEDOM IN THE FARTHEST REACHES OF THE GLOBE SUCH AS BOUGAINVILLE, GUAM, AND IWO JIMA.  THEIR MAGNIFICENT SKILL IN BATTLE HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN OPERATIONS DEWEY CANYON, HASTINGS, AND SCOTLAND II.  IN RECENT YEARS, THE 3D MARINE DIVISION HAS STRENGTHENED GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS WHILE SAVING INNOCENT LIVES. THE VERSATILITY OF THE DIVISION IS APPARENT IN THEATER SECURITY COOPERATION OPERATIONS AS WELL AS SELFLESS ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS.  YOU HAVE EARNED THE PRAISE AND RESPECT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE.
3.  THESE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, IN TIMES OF BOTH WAR AND PEACE, MAKE THIS A FITTING OCCASION TO SALUTE YOU, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION.  CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
4.  SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS //