SECNAV urges sailors to register to vote - Around the Fleet - Brief Article

All Hands, April, 2004 by Gordon R. England

Today, Sailors and Marines are deployed throughout the world, often in harm's way, protecting our nation and supporting the cause of freedom and democracy. In many places, the struggle includes one of the basic but powerful principles of democracy--the right to vote.

In our country, we have that right as a result of past and present sacrifices of U.S. service men and women like you.

Therefore, it is particularly appropriate that you, who protect this right for all of us, also exercise this right for yourself. It's your sacrifice, it's your country, and it's your future. You've earned this right, and your vote counts.

I encourage you to register to vote early this year. Do it now to eliminate potential problems later. Your command's voting assistance officer has the absentee voter registration materials.

Thanks for your untiring service to America and our democratic ideals. God bless you and your families, and God bless America.