R 241423Z JUN 09
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 020/09
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. INDEPENDENCE DAY IS THE DAY AMERICANS OFFICIALLY CELEBRATE THE BIRTH, HISTORY, AND TRADITIONS OF OUR COUNTRY. IT IS MOST APPROPRIATE THAT OUR NATION'S WARRIORS USE THE FOURTH OF JULY TO REFLECT ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN AMERICAN. THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS ON THE BATTLEFIELD, YOU HAVE EARNED THE LIBERTIES ENJOYED BY ALL AMERICANS. I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOUR SERVICE; KNOW THAT I SHARE THAT PRIDE WITH ALL AMERICANS AND FREEDOM-LOVING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.
2. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE DEPLOYED AND WHO CONTINUE TO TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY IN THE HIGH PLAINS OF AFGHANISTAN OR THE DESERTS OF IRAQ, KNOW THAT WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN DEFENSE OF THIS GREAT NATION IS IN KEEPING WITH THE SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE DAY AND THE MARINE CORPS.
3. FOR THOSE OF YOU BACK HOME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ENJOY THE CELEBRATION AND THE TIME OFF - AND DO SO SAFELY. BE PRUDENT AS YOU PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ENSURE YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES STAY OUT OF DANGER. APPLY THE SAME JUDGMENT AND EXERCISE THE SAME DECISION-MAKING SKILLS YOU WOULD IN COMBAT.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//

quote:

3. FOR THOSE OF YOU BACK HOME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ENJOY THE CELEBRATION AND THE TIME OFF - AND DO SO SAFELY. BE PRUDENT AS YOU PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ENSURE YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES STAY OUT OF DANGER. APPLY THE SAME JUDGMENT AND EXERCISE THE SAME DECISION-MAKING SKILLS YOU WOULD IN COMBAT.

Especially in the areas of Salt LAke Valley where the gang stabbings and drive-by shootings took place last night!!

I'm glad my Marine Corps son and his buddy drove up from Camp Lejeune for the 4th and about a week and a half of leave.

He heads to San Diego for training soon. Too close to all that crap going on in Mexico for me. At least he's not in Iraq or Afghanistan though I am told Afghanistan isn't far off for his unit.

Don