I normally skip over these messages but I'm glad that I read this one.
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SUBJ: VETERANS DAY MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 054/05
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/VETERANS DAY MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. ORIGINALLY COMMEMORATED AS ARMISTICE DAY TO MARK
THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES KNOWN AS "THE GREAT WAR," VETERANS DAY
IS A CELEBRATION OF THE SERVICE AND SELFLESSNESS OF OUR NATION'S
VETERANS. THE TITLE OF VETERAN IS A TERM OF GREAT RESPECT DUE TO THE
PATRIOTISM, WILLINGNESS TO SERVE, AND DEDICATION TO A LARGER CAUSE
DISPLAYED BY THOSE WHO HAVE WORN THE CLOTH OF THE NATION THROUGHOUT
OUR HISTORY. WHETHER SERVING FOR A FEW YEARS OR FOR MANY, THESE MEN
AND WOMEN HAVE GARNERED THE ENDURING SUPPORT OF A GRATEFUL NATION.
OUR WARS HAVE TAKEN SOME OF OUR FINEST COUNTRYMEN IN THE HEYDAY OF
THEIR LIVES, AND IT IS RIGHT THAT WE REFLECT ON THEIR SACRIFICES
THIS DAY.
2. WE COME TO THIS VETERANS DAY A MARINE CORPS AT WAR. ALONG WITH
OUR SISTER SERVICES, WE CONTINUE TO NOBLY MEET THE LATEST CHALLENGE
TO THE FREEDOMS WE AS AMERICANS HOLD DEAR. JUST AS OUR FOREFATHERS
DID, MARINES TODAY ARE SETTING ASIDE THEIR INTERESTS, COMFORTS, AND
WELL-BEING TO SAFEGUARD THE SAME FOR OUR FELLOW AMERICANS AND
OTHERS. STANDING VIGILANTLY AROUND THE GLOBE TO THWART THOSE WHO
WOULD VISIT FURTHER VIOLENCE ON OUR HOMELAND, WE HAVE ALSO SHOWN
UNRIVALED BENEVOLENCE AND COMPASSION TO OTHERS WHO LONG FOR LIBERTY.
OUR HERITAGE IS ONE OF HELPING TO BRING FREEDOM TO MILLIONS AROUND
THE WORLD, AND WE CONTINUE THIS TRADITION TODAY AS WE PROSECUTE THE
GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR.
3. AS WE PAUSE TO COMMEMORATE THIS VETERANS DAY, KEEP IN MIND THE
MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO HAVE SERVED IN OUR ARMED FORCES. KNOW THAT
YOUR SERVICE IS A SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE TO OUR NATION, AND I ASK YOU
CONTINUE YOUR VALIANT EFFORTS TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. SEMPER
FIDELIS, M. W. HAGEE, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE
MARINE CORPS.//
BT
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