The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen James Amos and the First Lady of the Marine Corps, Bonnie Amos, wish happy holidays to all Marines, past and present, and thank them for their indomitable spirit.
The Commandant's Christmas 1944 Message
Among the many important things which men sacrifice in the armed forces is Christmas at home. It is one of the most difficult to give up. The American family Christmas is one of the great joys of life. At the same time, it is one of the real, tangible things for which we fight. Its preservation is one of the essential reasons for our being at war.
Every Marine who spends Christmas in service away from home is actually keeping Christmas in his home. He is making sure that the forces which have gravely threatened it are thoroughly defeated. He is making certain that, when he returns, he and his loved ones will be able to enjoy Christmases for the remainder of their lives in an era of peace which he himself will have nobly won.
On this fourth wartime Christmas he has gone far toward that end. The enemy forces in the Pacific have been driven back to their innermost ring of defenses. And, while they may be expected to put up savage resistance there, they cannot escape the closing circle of Allied might. The final, decisive actions are shaping up.
To all Marine Corps officers and enlisted personnel, men and women, I extend cordial greetings and best wishes for the Christmas season.
Alexander A. Vandegrift
LtGen, USMC
Commandant of the Marine Corps
1945 - Five Marines and a Navy corpsman raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima.
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