R 151402Z DEC 08
SUBJ: ALL HANDS - HOLIDAY MESSAGE
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT PRESIDENT BUSH HAS FORMALLY
DECLARED FRIDAY, 26 DECEMBER 2008, AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.  ALL
EXECUTIVE BRANCH DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES WILL BE CLOSED.
2. AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON, I HOPE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HELPS
YOU ENJOY ADDITIONAL TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.  OVER THE
PAST YEAR, OUR ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, AUXILIARY AND CIVILIAN
PERSONNEL HAVE PERFORMED WITH AMAZING DEDICATION AND
PROFESSIONALISM.  WHETHER EXECUTING OR SUPPORTING MISSIONS, YOUR
SELFLESS EFFORTS HAVE SAVED THOUSANDS OF LIVES, PREVENTED DANGEROUS
DRUGS FROM REACHING AMERICA'S STREETS, AND PROTECTED THE HOMELAND.
3. LIKE THE OTHER ARMED SERVICES AND OUR PARTNERS WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, WE WILL HAVE PERSONNEL STANDING
WATCH ON THE FLIGHT-LINE, AT SEA, AND IN COMMAND CENTERS ON 26
DECEMBER AND THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON.  PAM AND I APPRECIATE
YOUR STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO THE NATION.  I ALSO SEND THE BEST
WISHES FROM CHIEF CLYDE AND WILMA ALLEN WHO MISSED THEIR SHARE OF
HOLIDAYS WHEN MY DAD WAS DEPLOYED AROUND THE WORLD, FROM THE
PHILIPPINES TO THE BERING SEA.
4. FOR THOSE WHO ARE DEPLOYED AND UNABLE TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES
AT ALL, TAKE PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT YOU ARE AMERICA'S MARITIME
GUARDIAN.  WE ARE ALL THANKFUL FOR AND HUMBLED BY YOUR WILLINGNESS
TO SERVE.
5. JUST AS YOU ARE DEDICATED TO OUR MISSIONS, I ASK YOU TO EXERCISE
THE SAME LEVEL OF DEDICATION TOWARDS EACH OTHER.  LOOK AFTER YOUR
SHIPMATES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON SO WE CAN ALL ENJOY A HEALTHY AND
PRODUCTIVE 2009.
6. THANK YOU AND SEMPER PARATUS.
7. ADMIRAL THAD W. ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.