CNO Richardson’s 2015 Thanksgiving Message

November 26, 2015 8:27 AM
141127-N-LQ926-008 SASEBO, Japan (Nov. 27, 2014) Capt. Paul C. Spedero, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), carves a Thanksgiving turkey before the meal on the mess decks of Peleliu. Peleliu is on its final western Pacific deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region before decommissioning early next year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alex Van’tLeven/Released)
Capt. Paul C. Spedero, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA-5), carves a Thanksgiving turkey before the meal on the mess decks of Peleliu on 2014. US Navy Photo

The following is Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson’s 2015 Thanksgiving message to the U.S. Navy.

Team, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. This weekend, many of us will gather with family, friends, and loved ones to celebrate each others’ company over a nice meal in our homes. Dana and I wish you a peaceful and safe weekend, and we thank YOU for all that you do to keep our Navy and nation prosperous and secure.

As we take this time to pause and reflect, let us remember those who are quietly celebrating while underway or forward deployed around the world. While we talk with family, they have the watch. We’ve all been there and know those mixed feelings of pride at accomplishing the mission, but also missing our loved ones while deployed during this time. For those at home, please keep these shipmates in your thoughts and prayers. If you’re forward, reach out, be good company for each other, and wish your shipmate a Happy Thanksgiving.

Finally, I must add that in addition to turkey, pumpkin pie, and football, wherever you are, please add safety to your list of things to keep track of this weekend. Remain alert and cognizant of your surroundings. Ensure you keep yourselves and those around you safe and sound. You and your families are all far too valuable to the Navy and the nation to experience a needless accident – I need you all to come back rested and ready to go.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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