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General Hagee, General Bolden and Jackie, General Trautman and Zoe, General Lehnert, Colonel Condra and Nancy, Colonel Buland and Peggy, distinguished guests, family, friends, and fellow Marines. A respected military theorist once wrote that the hallmark of all effective military organizations is high morale; what he called "elan," or "esprit de corps." His name was Colonel Ardant du Picq and he was killed by an artillery shell in the final days of the Franco-Prussian War--leading from the front--in full view of his men. It's fair to say that the fatal explosion was as much a surprise to the Colonel as the War itself was to the average French citizen. Ironically, only months before the war, Colonel du Picq lamented that military esprit is exceptionally difficult to maintain when the general public senses no credible foreign threat to their vital interests. One could argue that Americans have fostered a similar view of the world since 1991. Yet before you are arrayed the Marines of Attack Squadron 513; disciplined, well-trained and highly motivated. For this, great credit goes to Sergeant Major Jackson and Lieutenant Colonel Hunt. Despite unprecedented materiel and personnel challenges, their adroit leadership and teamwork have kept the Flying Nightmares sharp and poised for recovery to high combat readiness. As a first contribution the esprit of the Nightmares, I would like to conclude my comments expeditiously, with heartfelt thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Hunt for his superb stewardship; the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band for their typically outstanding support; and to all of you for your presence here today. I particularly wish to thank the Marines of VMA-513 for their warm welcome, hospitality, and enthusiastic participation in this traditional ceremony. I think that you can see on my face how eager I am to join them in service to our great nation. Thank you. 
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