CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Memorial Day is a day set aside each year for us to remember and honor our service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our country and our way of life. Many are remembered for their sacrifices in a hostile environment by putting themselves into harms way from both enemy and friendly fire to achieve one common goal. We remember them honorably and respectfully.
But, there is another group of veterans that will be remembered on this Memorial Day who lived and shared the ideals of the same common goal but lost their lives due to preventable unsafe acts.
During the course of this Holiday remember that your fellow Marines are counting on you to be safe and return after the holiday to continue our mission as the world’s finest fighting force.
Remember to be safe, instead of being remembered as a statistic! Memorial Day is the beginning of the “101 Critical Days of Summer”!
FROM THE COMMANDING GENERAL
V. A. COGLIANESE
Brigadier General, U.S. Marine Corps