COMMANDING GENERAL

1ST MARINE DIVISION (REIN), FMF
AL ANBAR, IRAQ 20 August 2004

Friends and Comrades:

For two years, the story of the 1st Marine Division has been one of honor.
Today, my message is one of thanks:

·Thanks to the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who have stood the test,
and proved to the world that our experiment called the United States
of America will survive;

·Thanks to our families who have stood with us through thick and thin,
and bore unbearable tragedy with a courage that has humbled me;

·Thanks to the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing whose warriors have always come
through, and painted the Blue Diamond on their wings and carried us in their hearts;

·Thanks to the 1st Force Service Support Group who committed to doing the impossible,
and then exceeded the best we could have hoped for;

·Thanks to our Division's veterans, whose spirits have marched with us
since we crossed the line of departure,
·and whose example reminded us that there was nothing the enemy could
throw at us that we would not overcome;

And thanks to countless others whose commitment and loyalty made us what we are-
·Who allowed us to achieve what we achieved,
·Who allowed us to develop the character of
No better friend, No worse enemy.

Today I haven't the words to capture what is in my heart as I look out at
these beautiful Grunts who represent thousands of cocky, selfless, macho
young troops of our infantry Division-infantry- infant Soldiers,
young Soldiers,
young Soldiers of the Sea,
who have given so much, and
who have taught me courage,
as they smiled, heading out to risk their lives again,
to destroy the enemy.

So lacking the words, I will close with a warrior's prayer
from a man who understands:

Give me God, what you still have,
Give me what no one else asks for;
I do not ask for wealth
Nor for success, nor even health-
People ask you so often, God for all that
That you cannot have any left.
Give me, God, what you still have;
Give me what people refuse to accept from you.

I want insecurity and disquietude,
I want turmoil and brawl,
And if you should give them to me, my God
Once and for all
Let me be sure to have them always,
For I will not always have the courage
to ask for them. Amen

Thank you, my wonderful young Soldiers, Sailors and Marines
May God be with you all as you head out once again
into the heat of the Iraqi sun,
into the still of the dark night,
to close with the enemy.

Beside you, I'd do it all again.
Semper Fi.

MATTIS SENDS