R 171459Z APR 09
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 0255/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC LFL-6//
SUBJ/COMMANDANT'S EARTH DAY 2009 MESSAGE//
REF/A/DOC/USMC/YMD:20090304/ALMAR 101404Z MAR 09//
AMPN/REF A IS ALMAR 101404Z MAR 09, EARTH DAY 2009 PLANNING MESSAGE.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE WAY MARINES PLAN, TRAIN, AND FIGHT BATTLES.  FROM THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER OF METT-T TO THE ANNEX L, "ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS," OF OPERATIONAL PLANS, WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE THAT THE ENVIRONMENT HAS ON US AS WARFIGHTERS, AND WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT THAT OUR ACTIONS HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT.  WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE ON THIS PLANET IS CRITICALLY DEPENDENT UPON AN ENVIRONMENT THAT CAN SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN LIFE.  TO THIS END, WE REAFFIRM OUR PLEDGE TO CONTINUE A TRADITION OF TREATING THE LANDS WHERE WE LIVE, WORK, TRAIN, AND OPERATE IN A SUSTAINABLE FASHION SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD CAN ENJOY THE SAME BENEFITS FROM OUR PLANET THAT WE HAVE TODAY.
2.  EARTH DAY OFFERS US A CHANCE TO REEXAMINE THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS IN LIGHT OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT.  SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES ARE A FORCE ECONOMY MEASURE THAT MINIMIZES OUR LOGISTIC TRAIN, REDUCES OPERATIONAL COSTS, AND ENHANCES FORCE SECURITY.  I CHALLENGE ALL COMMANDERS TO ENSURE THAT IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES SUCH AS WASTE REDUCTION, RECYCLING, MINIMIZED ENERGY USE, AND PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL ARE BEING EMPLOYED AT THEIR COMMANDS.  I CHALLENGE ALL MARINES TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS THROUGH OUR EVERYDAY DECISIONS, BY ANTICIPATING THE SHORT AND LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF OUR ACTIONS, WHETHER CHANGING THE HYDRAULIC FLUID OF AN MV-22 OR CHANGING THE LIGHT BULBS AT OUR HOMES.
3.  EARTH DAY IS RECOGNIZED ON 22 APR.  THE MARINE CORPS THEME FOR THIS EARTH DAY IS "PRESERVING OUR RESOURCES, PROTECTING OUR FUTURE".  THE MARINE CORPS IS PARTICIPATING IN A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT RAISE AWARENESS LEVELS ABOUT OUR DUTY TO SAFEGUARD THE EARTH AND ITS RESOURCES.  WHETHER YOU ARE AT HOME OR ABROAD FIGHTING OUR NATION'S BATTLES, I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO REFLECT ON OUR MISSION AS MARINES WHICH INCLUDES A STANDING OBLIGATION TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AS WE PROTECT OUR NATION, IN THE AIR, ON LAND, AND SEA.
4.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY MAJGEN E. G. PAYNE, ASSISTANT DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR INSTALLATIONS AND LOGISTICS (FACILITIES).//