DE NNN0ASA 114
R 101135Z NOV 2008
FM NNN0ASA VA
TO NNN0ALL
R 072339Z NOV 08
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
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UNCLAS
ALNAV 081/08
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/NOV//
SUBJ/SECNAV VETERANS DAY MESSAGE TO THE FLEET//
1. AMERICA WAS FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM, LIBERTY,
EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. SINCE THE BIRTH OF OUR
GREAT NATION, THOSE WHO SERVE IN OUR ARMED FORCES HAVE RISKED MUCH,
AND OFTEN PAID DEARLY, IN DEFENDING THESE PRINCIPLES. EACH YEAR ON
NOVEMBER 11TH OUR NATION PAUSES IN REMEMBRANCE TO COMMEMORATE THE
LEGACY OF PATRIOTISM AND SERVICE OF THOSE WHO SERVE IN UNIFORM.
2. THERE ARE CURRENTLY MORE THAN 25 MILLION LIVING AMERICAN VETERANS,
AND THEIR MANY STORIES REMIND US OF THE COST OF WHICH OUR FREEDOM
COMES. OUR VETERANS SERVED IN THE STEAMING HEAT OF IWO JIMA, THE
FRIGID FIELDS OF KOREA AND THE DEADLY JUNGLES OF VIETNAM, ON THE
SANDS OF THE PERSIAN GULF, THE MOUNTAINS OF AFGHANISTAN, AND THE
STREETS OF BAGHDAD. WHEREVER THERE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGES TO OUR
FREEDOMS, OUR WARFIGHTERS HAVE DEFENDED AMERICA FROM THOSE WHO WISH
TO DO US HARM.
3. AMERICA HOLDS HER VETERANS - THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND THOSE WHO
SERVE TODAY - IN THE HIGHEST ESTEEM. OUR NAVY - MARINE CORPS TEAM IS
ON THE FRONT LINES DEFENDING AGAINST TERRORIST ENEMIES AND DETERRING
AGGRESSION IN FARAWAY LANDS. THE SAILORS AND MARINES WHO SERVE TODAY
HONOR THE LEGACY OF THE HEROES WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US, AND IN DOING
SO UPHOLD THE PROUDEST TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE.
4. I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO HAVE SERVED AS YOUR SECRETARY THESE PAST
THREE YEARS. I THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES FOR YOUR SERVICE AND
SACRIFICE. MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR VETERANS, AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO
BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.//
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