(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District – Kansas) today encouraged Kansans to send e-mail greetings to U.S troops around the world during the holiday season.

"Thousands of our nation’s servicemen and women are spending the holidays away from their families. They are making this sacrifice so that we can celebrate the holiday season in freedom and security. It would be a true expression of the spirit of America for Kansans to send holiday messages to the troops defending our nation," said Moore.

The Department of Defense has set up websites to send holiday messages via e-mail to United States military personnel since traditional mail delivery has been suspended indefinitely in the wake of the recent anthrax mail incidents.

"In the past, schoolchildren and people of all ages have sent messages to our troops through the ‘Any Servicemember’ and ‘Operation Dear Abby’ programs. This is a modernization of those programs and will help let our troops know we support them," said Moore.

To receive a message of support, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines will log onto the websites and choose messages for their branch of the military and home state. Those sending a message who wish to receive a response may include a return e-mail address. Since all messages are viewed on the Web, the military’s regular e-mail service is not affected.

Individuals who want to send a message of support or holiday greeting to military personnel will find a simple process for delivering messages at the following sites:

http://www.LIFELines2000.org

and

http://AnyServiceMember.Navy.mil