R 121140Z DEC 02
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(n)
TO ML ALMAR(n)
ALMAR
BT
UNCLAS
ALMAR 070/02
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/HOLIDAY GREETING FROM SECRETARY OF THE NAVY//
RMKS/1.  DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, SAILORS AND MARINES AROUND THE
GLOBE STAND WATCH OVER OUR NATION.  FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW,
YOU SERVE DURING A DEFINING MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY - THE WAR ON
GLOBAL TERRORISM.  WHETHER YOU SAIL OFF DISTANT SHORES, STAND THE
POINT ON FOREIGN SOIL, OR SERVE AT HOME, I KNOW THAT EVERY MARINE,
SAILOR, AND CIVILIAN IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY IS READY TO
ANSWER OUR NATION'S CALL.
2.  WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON DURING THIS SEASON.  AT THIS
TIME OF YEAR, MANKIND PAUSES IN SPIRITUAL REFLECTION AND THOUGHTS
TURN TO PEACE, HARMONY, AND JOYOUS CELEBRATIONS WITH FAMILY AND
FRIENDS.  THIS CHRISTMAS THE MERE IMAGE OF A SAILOR OR MARINE IN
UNIFORM WILL EVOKE SPECIAL MEANING TO AMERICANS AT HOME AND OUR
FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD.  BY PROVIDENCE, YOUR SERVICE IS MAKING A
DIFFERENCE IN THE PURSUIT OF PEACE AND HARMONY THAT IS THE TRUE
SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS.  AMERICANS ARE PROUD OF YOU, AND SO AM I FOR
THE GIFT YOU GIVE US EVERYDAY.
3.  IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE WITH YOU IN THESE HISTORIC
TIMES.  DURING THIS SEASON OF HOPE, PLEASE ACCEPT MY BEST WISHES FOR
A SAFE AND JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND
GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU, YOUR FAMILIES AND THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA!
4.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE GORDON R. ENGLAND, SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY.//