(U) MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR POMPEO: A FEW QUICK THOUGHTS AS FAMILY DAY APPROACHES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06865796
• 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: September 21, 2017

Message from the Director: A Few Quick Thoughts As Family Day Annroaches
Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865796
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(U) Message from the Director: A Few Quick
Thoughts As Family Day Approaches
SECRET//NOFORN
Greetings,
(U) Just a few thoughts to share with you as summer turns to fall . . .
(U) Our Role in South Asia
(S//NF) On 21 August, President Trump laid out his strategic objectives in Afghanistan for the American public. Those
goals will require us to step up our efforts along every line of business to achieve the vision he has put forward. I know
we will succeed.
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(U) And speaking of family . . .
(U) Susan, Nick, and I Hope to See You This Saturday
(U) This Saturday, 23 September, is CIA Family Day. Our families are absolutely critical to the success of our mission,
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Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865796
Message from the Director: A Few Quick Thoughts As Family Day Annroaches
Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865796
and this is our chance to thank them for all they do to support us throughout the year. My wife, Susan, my son, Nick,
and I will be here all day and look forward to meeting you and your family. There will be food trucks, a DJ, a farmer's
market, and a host of activities for the kids, including face painting and a moon bounce. Hope you will all come join us.
(U) Secrets and Traitors
(U) Many of you have read the news that I chose not to appear at a speaking engagement designed to reach out to some
very bright students. I was scheduled to speak at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center on 14 September, but I
could not in good conscience represent you at that event after Harvard announced it had selected Chelsea Manning to be
a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Politics. I infoi Hied Harvard of my decision in a letter that I encourage you to read.
(U) As I stated in my letter, Ms. Manning betrayed her country and was found guilty of 17 serious crimes for leaking
classified information to WikiLeaks. She stands against everything the men and women of CIA stand for. To have
spoken at Harvard would have betrayed your trust and condoned Harvard's decision to legitimize the criminal path Ms.
Manning took to undermine our national security. It is simply never acceptable to divulge secrets that can harm our
nation and our officers. And it is shameful for any institution to place its stamp of approval on those who do.
(U) CIA's 70 Birthday and a Visit by Former Directors and Deputy Directors
(U) Finally, we celebrated CIA's 70th birthday on Monday with a ceremony in our main lobby, where we announced the
name of our newest Trailblazer, Greg Vogle. Greg served his country with great distinction for decades, inspiring a
generation of Agency officers with his extraordinary courage and dedication.
(U) We combined the Trailblazer and 70th birthday celebration with our annual Formers' Day event, which many of our
foiiiier Directors and Deputy Directors attended. It was a privilege to have them on campus once again and to share
some of the remarkable things you're doing on behalf of our country. They take great pride in having served here, and
they offered all of us their gratitude and steadfast support.
Regards,
Mike Pompeo
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Fl FILED UNDER: 2017, OPA NOTICES, SEPTEMBER -2017
0 TAGGED WITH: DIRECTOR POMPEO, MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
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Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865796
Message from the Director: A Few Quick Thoughts As Family Day Annroaches
Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865796
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2023/10/13 C06865796