R 010915Z JUL 02
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(n)
TO ML ALMAR(n)
ALMAR
BT
UNCLAS
ALMAR 036/02
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE//
RMKS/1. TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGO, 56 AMERICAN
PATRIOTS SIGNED A DOCUMENT ABSOLVING THEIR ALLEGIANCE TO
THE BRITISH CROWN TO PROCLAIM "SELF-EVIDENT TRUTHS" ABOUT
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES. IN SO DOING, THEY RISKED THEIR LIVES,
THEIR FORTUNES, AND THEIR HONOR. THIS DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE GAVE BIRTH TO A NEW NATION, ESTABLISHING
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES THAT CONTINUE TO GOVERN THE AMERICAN
WAY OF LIFE TO THIS DAY AND REMAIN THE GUIDING HOPE OF
PEOPLE THE WORLD OVER.
2. JULY 4TH IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF
LIBERTY WE INHERIT FROM THESE COURAGEOUS FOREFATHERS, WHO
AMID THE UNCERTAINTIES OF MILITARY CONFLICT AND POLITICAL
STRIFE, VENTURED EVERYTHING TO SECURE PERSONAL FREEDOMS FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS. WE WHO SERVE IN UNIFORM TODAY ARE SWORN
TO UPHOLD THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS THEY PROFESSED AND DEFEND
THE SOVEIGNTY OF THIS GREAT NATION. THE PRIVILEDGE OF
FREEDOM AND SELF-DETERMINATION DESERVES NO LESS.
3. AS WE PAUSE TO CELEBRATE THIS EXTRAORDINARY DATE IN
HISTORY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, TAKE TIME TO CONSIDER THAT
73 OF OUR FELLOW MARINES WHO CELEBRATED WITH US LAST YEAR
ARE NO LONGER AMONG US. ONLY NINE GAVE THEIR LIVES IN
DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. THE REMAINDER WE LOST TO AVOIDABLE
ACCIDENTS. REMEMBER, YOUR FAMILIES, YOUR CORPS AND YOUR
COUNTRY DEPEND ON YOU. TAKE THE TIME TO WEIGH THE RISKS
AND BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS IN ALL YOU DO.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS. J. L. JONES, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//