R 171400Z MAY 02
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//CMC//
TO ALMAR
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UNCLAS //N02000//
ALMAR 027/02
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ARMED FORCES DAY MESSAGE//
RMKS/1. FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE
OBSERVED ARMED FORCES DAY TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF
THOSE WHO SERVE THEIR NATION IN UNIFORM. THE THEME FOR THE
FIRST CELEBRATION WAS "TEAMED FOR SUCCESS." TODAY, WE CONTINUE
TO BUILD ON THAT SUCCESS. THE EVENTS OF 11 SEPTEMBER 2001
AWAKENED US TO THE IDEALS THAT BIND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TOGETHER.
THIS YEAR, WE AFFIRM AGAIN THAT ALL AMERICANS ARE "UNITED FOR
FREEDOM" AGAINST THE TYRANNY OF ANY AND ALL FOES WHO WOULD SEEK
TO CHALLENGE OUR WAY OF LIFE OR HARM OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.
2. TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE THIS SPECIAL DAY, THE AMERICAN MILITARY
IS ON DUTY AT HOME AND ABROAD SAFEGUARDING OUR HOMELAND AND FELLOW
CITIZENS FROM FUTURE THREATS AND ATTACKS. ALL AMERICANS ARE
GRATEFUL FOR THE SELFLESS DEDICATION AND DEVOTION TO DUTY THAT
OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM DEMONSTRATE DAY TO DAY IN EVERY CLIME
AND PLACE.
3. ON THIS 52ND ARMED FORCES DAY, I JOIN ALL AMERICANS IN
EXPRESSING PRIDE IN OUR ARMED FORCES AND THANKING EACH OF YOU FOR
THE COMMITMENT AND SACRIFICE THAT EACH OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES
MAKE IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS, J. L. JONES, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//
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