R 191849Z Nov 08
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 050/08
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC SD//
SUBJ/2008 THANKSGIVING SAFETY MESSAGE//
POC/JAMES D. GRACE/COL/DIRECTOR SAFETY DIVISION/-/TEL:(703)614-2147//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. OUR NATION BEGINS THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY JUST AFTER AMERICANS EXERCISED ONE OF THEIR FUNDAMENTAL AND MOST CHERISHED RIGHTS: THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES.
MARINES WORLD-WIDE SHOULD KNOW THAT ALL AMERICANS RECOGNIZE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD PROTECTING THIS SACRED RIGHT. YOUR HONOR, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.
2. FOR THOSE SERVING AT HOME, CAPITALIZE ON THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RELAX AND ENJOY SOME TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES. IF YOU TAKE TO THE HIGHWAY IN THIS ENDEAVOR, REMEMBER TO PLAN ACCORDINGLY. ADEQUATE REST AND PROPER PREPARATION FOR YOUR TRIP BECOMES EVEN MORE CRITICAL IN THE CHALLENGING DRIVING CONDITIONS MANY OF YOU WILL FACE. WE HAVE LOST AT LEAST ONE MARINE IN EACH OF THE PAST 4 YEARS TO THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRAFFIC MISHAPS. PLEASE DON'T LET SUCH A TRAGEDY OCCUR TO YOU BECAUSE OF POOR PLANNING OR RECKLESS DECISION MAKING.
3. FOR MARINES DEFENDING OUR NATION'S FREEDOM ABROAD DURING THIS HOLIDAY, PLEASE KNOW THAT AMERICA IS THANKFUL FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.
WHETHER YOU ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGING OUR ENEMIES OR STANDING GUARD AT SOME REMOTE OUTPOST, YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON WHAT MAKES YOU THANKFUL AND TO CELEBRATE WITH YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ARMS. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND YOUR FELLOW WARRIORS - YOU ARE OUR NATION'S MOST PRECIOUS ASSETS.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//