(U) MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06865794
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 30, 2024
• Document Release Date: October 16, 2023
• Case Number: F-2018-00585
• Publication Date: December 19, 2017

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865794
(U) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
SECRET//NOFORN
Team,
(U) Earlier this month, we hosted the Agency's annual holiday reception for foreign liaison partners. It was a packed
house as senior Agency officers mingled with foreign liaison partners, White House leaders, Ambassadors and others
all sharing one commonality: they understand, support and contribute to the CIA's mission.
(U) A few days later, Susan and I enjoyed an afternoon talking and taking photos with members of our workforce�and
were wowed by your holiday spirit. Many of you wore battery-powered light up sweaters, Christmas kilts, one
Christmas penguin suit with bow tie, musical necklaces... Susan and I will have to up our game next year!
(U) At the workforce reception, we distributed a card sharing my mother's secret fudge recipe. Mom gifted her fudge
widely every Christmas�to all our teachers, neighbors and friends�and my reward for stirring each of her recipes (no
small task) was an extra stash of fudge! Scroll to the bottom of this note to see the recipe card.
(U) As I write this, we are in the process of sending the 2017 CIA holiday card to Agency friends around the world.
This year's card honors holiday family memories and traditions, along with the memories that we all share as we
celebrate the 70th birthday of the Central Intelligence Agency. Scroll down a bit further in this email so you can see this
year's Agency holiday card.
(S//NF) Last fall at the Agency's Family Day, officers and their children wrote notes of thanks and holiday greetings on
construction paper strips. The strips were stapled together and hundreds of feet of paper chains were created and
shipped off to our stations around the world. These paper chains, now decorating our offices
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are a visual symbol of gratitude for the sacrifice of those officers and their
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Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865794
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865794
families who will spend this holiday season separated from their loved ones, in service to the Agency and to America.
(U) Susan and I are honored every day by the patriotism and service of the CIA workforce. On behalf of my family and
myself, please accept our sincere wishes to you this holiday season�that you might enjoy laughter and meaning with
those you love and, that together, we continue to protect America's freedoms in 2018.
Mike Pompeo
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(UHFOU0) P.S. Susan and I thoroughly enjoyed the good humor and pastry talents of those who submitted gingerbread
creations. Congratulations to
Coming." (And, good use of ice cream cones!)
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who built the winner, "Game of Thrones Winter is
SECRET//NOFORN
I FILED UNDER: 2017, DECEMBER - 2017, OPA NOTICES
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Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865794
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865794
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Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865794