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DE NNN0ASA 108
R 171420Z DEC 2007
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R 110730Z DEC 07
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
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UNCLAS
ALNAV 080/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/DEC// SUBJ/SECNAV HOLIDAY
MESSAGE TO THE FLEET// 1.  IN THIS SEASON OF HOLIDAYS AND FAMILY,
PLEASE ACCEPT MY WARMEST WISHES AND GRATITUDE FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR
NATION.  THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A TIME OF ACHIEVEMENT, PROGRESS, AND
RENEWED HOPE TO MANY PEOPLE OF THE WORLD BECAUSE OF YOUR DEDICATION
DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.
2.  SERVICE IN THE NAVY AND THE MARINE CORPS OFTEN DEMANDS LONG
DEPLOYMENTS AND PERIODS OF FAMILY SEPARATION, WHICH ARE ESPECIALLY
POIGNANT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.  FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE
STANDING THE WATCH FAR FROM HOME, WHETHER MILITARY OR CIVILIAN,
PLEASE KNOW YOUR SACRIFICES ARE RECOGNIZED, YOUR MISSION IS IMPORTANT
AND YOUR SERVICE, AS WELL AS THAT OF YOUR FAMILIES, IS DEEPLY
APPRECIATED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
3.  AS MEMBERS OF THE U.S. MILITARY, YOU HAVE PLEDGED TO UPHOLD AND
DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION - PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF OUR FELLOW
CITIZENS, DEFENDING THE NATION AGAINST THREATS, AND GOING IN HARMS
WAY IN THE DEFENSE OF LIBERTY. YOU CARRY ON A LONG TRADITION OF
AMERICAN PATRIOTS WHO HAVE STOICALLY BORNE GREAT HARDSHIPS IN SERVICE
TO OUR COUNTRY - FROM VALLEY FORGE TO CHOSIN RESERVOIR TO FALLUJAH.
BE PROUD OF YOUR UNWAVERING SERVICE IN PROMOTING FREEDOM AND
PROTECTING OUR WAY OF LIFE.
4.  AS YOU SHARE THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS WITH FAMILY AND LOVED
ONES, OR WITH YOUR FELLOW SHIPMATES, REMEMBER WHAT WE ARE FIGHTING
FOR, AND NEVER FORGET THAT YOU ARE IN THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE, NOW, AND ALWAYS.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
5.  RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE DONALD C. WINTER, SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY.
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