 At this special time of year, Bonnie and I offer our entire Marine Corps family our warmest greetings. As we savor the familiar sights and sounds when everything old is new again, we pause to give thanks. Thanks for our families, our friends, our freedoms, and the fraternity we share with the magnificent men and women who serve our great nation. Whether you're a stateside or deployed to distant lands, we honor your devotion to duty. During this season of wonder and anticipation, we hold close to our hearts our deployed Marines, our sailors, and our wonderful supportive families. Our thoughts are with you, the few and the proud who are across our globe in every climate place, protecting our homeland. You are not alone. Alongside your fellow Marines, you are among family, bound by camaraderie and shared hardship. Please know how much your families miss you and wish you were home. We are so proud of your service to our core and for your faithfulness. In that spirit, with gratitude for all we've achieved together this past year, and with the enthusiasm and resolve to face the challenges that lie ahead, Bonnie and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Semper Fiddles.