October 29, 2003

Memorandum

To: All Department of the Interior Employees

From: Secretary /s/

Subject: Support Our Troops Initiative

Since its inception this past spring, the Department's Support Our Troops initiative has
maintained an active role in providing support for the soldiers and their families in the
"adopted" units of the 101st Infantry Division and the 10th Mountain Division. These
units are currently deployed in the Middle East, and our continued support is needed.

The Support Our Troops Committee is conducting a voluntary collection of specified
goods to benefit the soldiers and their dependent families. Collection points are being
established at the entrances of the Main and South Interior Buildings, as well as at
designated field locations Departmentwide. Contributions should be limited to the
following items suggested by the military installation volunteer coordinators: hard candy,
DVD's, CD's, beef jerky, stamps, stationery, toys, gift cards (for teens), and sports
equipment.

Collections are beginning October 27, and will continue through the month of November.
The first distribution of collected items will be forwarded to the Troops to commemorate
Veterans' Day.

Your contributions to this collection effort will be greatly appreciated by the soldiers and
their dependents.

Thank you.