Acting SG 4th of July Message

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Shipmates,

On July 4th, 1776, thirteen American colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. Ten months before that momentous document was signed, the Continental Navy was born, and their ships became an extension of American influence and power around the world. On the decks of those wooden ships stood Sailors trained to take the lives of those that threatened America’s interests and territorial sovereignty and those charged with saving the lives of their comrades in arms. Therefore, Navy Medicine was forged by the sea. From the beginning, Navy Sailors have been saving lives and treating the physical and emotional wounds of war for 247 years.

Today, Navy Medicine is a global force for good. Our Medical, Dental, Nurse, Medical Service, and Hospital Corps along with our valued civilians provide the highest quality of care to Sailors, Marines, and their families here at home, overseas, and while deployed to the pointy tip of the spear. Our scientists are pioneering breakthroughs in physiology, microbiology, biomedical engineering, psychology, epidemiology, and using artificial intelligence to help diagnose and treat diseases. Our ability to provide competent medical personnel, deployable platforms, and exceptional care is foundational to America’s ability to defend our interests, maintain territorial sovereignty, and honor commitments to our maritime partners around the world.

On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to extend a heartfelt debt of gratitude to all our active-duty, reserve, civilian, and contract personnel serving on expeditionary medical platforms, conducting cutting-edge medical research for our warfighters, and working in military medical treatment facilities around the world for the lifesaving work they do. All of us in Navy Medicine are doing work that has a real and tangible impact on the lives of our service members, their families, and humanity.

I wish you all a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July. Thank you for what you do each day for Navy Medicine, the Navy, and this Nation.

V/R,

RDML Darin K. Via

Medical Corps, United States Navy

Acting Navy Surgeon General

Acting Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

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