FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(uc)
TO AL ALMAR(uc)
ALMAR
BT
UNCLASSIFIED
ALMAR 042/03
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC SD//
SUBJ/JULY FOURTH SAFETY MESSAGE//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/-1.  JULY 4TH MARKS THE 227TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR
NATION'S INDEPENDENCE.  AS YOU SPEND THE HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY AND
FRIENDS, I ASK THAT YOU TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON THE INDIVIDUAL
LIBERTIES FOR WHICH THE FOUNDERS OF OUR GREAT NATION FOUGHT AND
DIED; LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.  THOSE OF US WHO
SERVE IN UNIFORM ARE SWORN TO UPHOLD THESE INALIENABLE RIGHTS. AS
YOU CELEBRATE OUR NATION'S INDEPENDENCE AND ENJOY THE FREEDOMS WON
IN HARD FOUGHT CONFLICT, REMEMBER THAT THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY IS ALSO
A TIME OF INCREASED INCIDENCE OF PREVENTABLE OFF-DUTY MISHAPS.
2.  UNFORTUNATELY, MORE THAN 89 OF OUR FELLOW MARINES WHO CELEBRATED
OUR NATION'S INDEPENDENCE LAST YEAR CANNOT CELEBRATE WITH US THIS
YEAR.  SOME LOST THEIR LIVES IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND ARE
REMEMBERED - LIKE OUR FOREFATHERS - AS DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM,
HOWEVER, SADLY, HALF OF THEM DIED IN TRAFFIC MISHAPS AND FROM
DROWNING.  
3. WE VIEW OURSELVES AS PROFESSIONALS, AND PROFESSIONALS MANAGE
RISKS.  ENSURE YOU IDENTIFY AND ASSESS ALL RISKS, THEN TAKE THE
APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ELIMINATE OR MITIGATE THEM.  FOR EXAMPLE, THE
COMBINATION OF ALCOHOL AND DRIVING IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED, WELL-KNOWN,
AND INEXCUSABLE RISK.  DO NOT TAKE IT.  WE ALSO NEED TO BE AWARE OF
THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RECREATIONAL SUMMER ACTIVITIES,
PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY INVOLVE WATER SPORTS, BOATS, AND/OR PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT.  THESE ACTIVITIES CAN ALSO TURN DEADLY WHEN COMBINED
WITH ALCOHOL.  
4.  ENJOY THIS HOLIDAY AND THE SUMMER WITHOUT UNNECESSARY AND
UNACCEPTABLE RISKS.  USE YOUR RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR EVEN THE
MOST MUNDANE ACTIVITY; ADOPTING A CARELESS ATTITUDE CAN BE FATAL.  
5.  CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION WITH PRIDE, BUT ALSO WITH
RESPONSIBILITY.  USE COMMON SENSE AND SOUND DECISIONS TO MAKE THIS A
GREAT HOLIDAY.
6.  SEMPER FIDELIS, M. W. HAGEE, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//