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Special Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick West

Washington, DC (NNS) -- In anticipation of the upcoming holiday season, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick West sends the following message.

"I'd like to take a few moments and wish each of you a happy holiday season and to thank all of our Navy families for the support they provide us all.

As you read this, thousands of our shipmates are underway standing the watch. They are hundreds of feet below the surface, on the surface and thousands of feet above it.

Our Seabees are helping to re-build nations while our Corpsmen and our IAs continue to put their lives on the line every day with the Marines and Army in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.

My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with them, and all of you. But I won't be alone. All of America will give thanks for the sacrifices you and your families make. If there is one common theme that unites us as a nation, it could very well be the overwhelming respect each citizen has for the men and women who serve in our military.

If you're away from family and friends during the holidays, please consider that and remember that the people you've volunteered to defend appreciate what you do for them every day.

No matter where you are the next few weeks, keep safety in mind. If you're driving, take your time and use common sense. Your family will thank you for it.

Shipmates, I can't begin to describe the pride I have in each one of you. I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the greatest enlisted force in naval history and I look forward to the year of challenges that await us.

Thank you for continuing to serve this nation and our Navy. Please extend that gratitude to your families and make sure they know how much we appreciate their role in our success as a service.

HOOYAH Shipmates!"