U.S. Department of the InteriorDOI News Header
Office of the Secretary
December 19, 2006

Contact:
Shane Wolfe 202-208-6416

Interior Secretary Kempthorne and Interior Employees Donate Toys and other Items to
Needy Children and U.S. Troops at Event Honoring Military

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today joined Interior Department employees in honoring members of the United States Armed Forces and donating toys and other items for both needy children as well as troops deployed in combat zones.

Kempthorne was joined at the lunchtime event in the Department of the Interior cafeteria by Marines representing the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program and soldiers from the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division.

Marine Staff Sgt. Tyrone Davis and Pfc. Corwyn Sample both accepted donations of new toys from Secretary Kempthorne and other Interior employees, while 10th Mountain Division Sgt. Renard Roberson and 1st Lt. Derek C. Martin accepted morale items to be shipped to Division soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At the event Kempthorne praised the troops in attendance and others like them for their service to the United States both on the battlefield and in our neighborhoods.

“This event today is a wonderful opportunity to thank all of the tremendous men and women who wear the uniform,” said Kempthorne. “This includes soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and members of the Coast Guard.”

During the ceremony, Pfc. Sample presented Kempthorne with a certificate of appreciation for the Department’s support of the Toys for Tots program.

Interior Department employees “adopted” the 10th Mountain Division in 2003 and have shipped numerous packages of morale items such as DVDs, batteries and snacks to members of the Division over the past four years.

 
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