Last MARS CW Transmission

Newington CT September 27, 1996
To all radio amateurs

All CW nets and other CW activity in the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) have been ordered to cease operation effective October 1, 1996. After that time, no CW nets or other CW activity will be allowed on any DOD MARS frequencies. A final MARS CW message will be transmitted simultaneously on Army, Navy and Air Force MARS frequencies at 1300, 1530 and 1700 UTC on September 30. MARS members may earn a certificate for correct copy of the final message.

Last MARS CW Message

R 300001Z SEP 96

FM CHNAVMARCORMARS WASHINGTON DC

TO ALL MARS MEMBERS AND STATIONS WORLDWIDE

BT

UNCLAS

SUBJ: MARS SPECIAL CW BROADCAST (ENDING OF MARS C.W. OPERATIONS)

1. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF MARS OPERATIONS IN 1925 WHEN THE

ARMY AMATEUR RADIO SYSTEM (AARS) WAS FOUNDED, C.W. HAS PLAYED AN

INTEGRAL PART IN THE TOTAL MARS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH

IT HAS A LONG PROUD AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ITS IMPORTANCE TO

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS HAS BEEN REPLACED OVER THE YEARS BY NEWER

DIGITAL MODE TECHNOLOGY.

2. WE BID OUR OLD AND FAITHFUL FRIEND FAREWELL WITH VERY DEEP AND

STRONG EMOTIONS, BUT KNOWING WELL THAT THE TIME FOR PARTING HAS

COME.  WE SHALL MISS YOU, OLD FRIEND, BUT NEVER FORGET THE LEGACY

YOU HAVE LEFT US AS WE PREPARE TO MOVE FORWARD INTO THE TWENTY

FIRST CENTURY. LIKE AN OLD SOLDIER, AIRMAN, SAILOR, AND MARINE,

THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOUR RETIREMENT FROM MARS SERVICE. WE

SALUTE YOU AS YOU STEP OUT SMARTLY TO THE RYTHMIC BEAT OF THE

DRUMS INTO A WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT FROM MARS SERVICE WITH THE

HIGHEST OF HONORS. CHIEF NAVY MARINE CORPS MARS.

BT

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