MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT/EASTERN RECRUITING REGION PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- -- Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Gordon R. England, joined by Congressman Joe Wilson, spoke to the Greater Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce at Beaufort Naval Hospital, Monday.
The highlights of the conversation included future increases in housing allowances, a 4.5 percent increase in pay for service members, sea service integration plans and the present war on terrorism.
Though most officials were looking for further indications of the security of local bases against military base realignments, England was quick to assure everyone that wasn't an issue to be concerned about.
"The Commandant has assured me, and I tend to agree, that we do not have any excess Marine Corps bases," said England. "Parris Island is an important base for Marine Corps training ... and we also have an important base for Marine Corps aviation here."
Turning attentions toward the war at hand and inflaming tensions with Iraq, England stated, "I can't tell you what the President and the national security-council will decide to do, but what I can tell you is that our Navy and Marine Corps personnel will be ready."
England contrasted the view of the present war on terrorism by pointing to the images of World War II.
"Our first image of the war was the sinking of the USS Arizona," said England. "And our last was the signing of the peace treaty onboard the USS Missouri. Now, make that same comparison to our present conflict ... and the first image of those planes hitting the Towers and the Pentagon."
We are not fighting against a country or a people. This is not going to end in a treaty, said England. This is a very abstract war, and it is going to take some time before it is over."
Moreover, England brought our mission in the war on terrorism into perspective.
"On 9/11, the President met with the joint chiefs of staffs and the secretaries at the Pentagon, while smoke was still rising from the building, and he said, 'I don't want you to forget this. The people of this nation will need to move on, but for you ... never forget.'"