The entire nation was devastated by the December 14 shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that left 20 school children and six teachers dead, and police and first responders involved were certainly deeply affected. The scene was undoubtedly unlike anything they've ever dealt with and they've been working around the clock ever since. However, on Christmas, they got some rest thanks to some fellow emergency workers, according to CNN.

The entire police force in Newtown was given Christmas Day off because police departments from around the state pitched in to help out. Among those who lent a hand was the nearby town of Shelton, which has assisted Newtown in the investigation since the shooting nearly two weeks ago.

"We’ve sent officers, dispatchers, and even our chief of police has gone to Newtown to help out. We've helped with dispatching, traffic, miscellaneous calls," Lt. Bob Kozlowsky told CNN. "Our chief of police has gone to assist their chief of police with administrative duties."

Shelton wasn't the only town to pitch in. Neighboring communities such as Monroe, Brookfield, Danbury and Bethel all played a part in this unique Christmas gift.

As families across the country celebrated Christmas earlier this week, many of them were without a member who was serving overseas in the military. However, with American forces out of Iraq and the conflict in Afghanistan drawing down, the number of soldiers home for the holidays was at its highest level in at least five years, reports the Christian Science Monitor.

There are currently about 66,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan, which means most of the 35,000 soldiers sent there for the 2009 surge have since returned home. While this is a positive step in terms of removing American soldiers from the war-torn country, military officials are still unsure as to what pace the remaining forces will leave in order to be completely withdrawn by the end of 2014.

While there may be more servicemembers home for the holidays than in recent memory, that does not eliminate the fact that many veterans and military families face challenges after combat. During a holiday address, first lady Michelle Obama made sure to mention that they need help, not just during the Christmas season, but during the rest of the year as well.

"Our military families sacrifice so much on our behalf, and Barack and I believe that we should serve them as well as they serve this country," she said. "That's why Dr. Jill Biden and I started Joining Forces – an effort to rally all Americans to honor and support our veterans and military families."

Although there were still some soldiers who did not get to spend the holiday at home, there were a number of charitable efforts aimed at making the season a little merrier for them and their families.

Earlier this month in Manas, Afghanistan, more than 500 deployed troops were treated to the USO Holiday Tour, which featured performances by the likes of comedian Iliza Shlesinger and country star Kellie Pickler. Additionally, MLB stars Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen were there along with pro hockey player Matt Hendricks, reports American Forces Press Service.

"We know that while you may not be with your families back home, you're with your family here," Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia told the crowd, according to the news source. "And that's what's important to us and that's one of the many reasons why we're so proud of each and every one of you."

Over the last year, the Army has made a concerted effort to be more energy efficient, and officials say they have a lot to show for it. Since last December, the Army has made more than $200 million worth in energy-saving upgrades, and is helping lead the charge in a nationwide initiative to go green, reports the Army News Service.

The push to save energy came last year, when President Barack Obama challenged all federal agencies to make $2 billion in upgrades with no cost to American taxpayers. The Army has been working with private contractors by awarding Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs), which can improve efficiency on everything from heating and ventilation to water conservation and lighting.

"The energy initiatives are good for the Army – which avoids up-front costs – good for the energy companies or utilities and good for the workers who do the design, construction, operations and maintenance of the systems," Randy Smidt, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management program manager, told the news source.

The Army is not the only branch of the military that has made a push to conserve. The Navy has been very public with its push for a "green fleet," and earlier this year the USNS Henry J. Kaiser became the first carrier strike group to be powered by biofuels.

Earlier this year it looked like a pair of bills aimed at helping veterans get the most of their benefits would move quickly through Congress before being signed into law, but now that may not be the case. As lawmakers work feverishly to avoid the fiscal cliff, the two pieces of legislation may be pushed aside in the last week of the year, according to Military Times.

The first of the two bills is HR 4057, which was designed to provide vets with more information on how to wisely use their GI Bill benefits. The measure would have also taken steps to eliminate the practice of schools recruiting veterans solely because of the GI Bill. The legislation was supposed to enhance an executive order made last year, but it's starting to look like Congress may have to wait until the New Year to reintroduce the bill

The other piece of legislation in question, S 3202, has more to do with veteran health and transition assistance. Most notably, it would create a list of troops who had been exposed to toxic fumes while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the publication. It would also offer transition assistance classes off base.

A pair of veteran benefits bills is not the only legislative issue that could impact the military. The fiscal cliff negotiations could have a serious impact on Pentagon funding, affecting everything from the size of the Armed Forces to programs offered by the Department of Defense.

Army veteran Melissa Stockwell was the first female soldier to lose a limb while serving in Iraq, and now the 32-year-old has become an inspiration and a source of encouragement for other injured veterans returning home, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Stockwell lost most of her leg, the remaining is now a six-inch stump that she has nicknamed "Little Leg." She usually dresses it up in red, white and blue, and she now can't imagine living without her "little leg" – she has done quite a bit with it. According to the news outlet, since her injury, she has won three consecutive paratriathlon world championships, run marathons, skied and raced 267 miles across Alaska in the longest wheelchair and handcycle race in the world. Her next venture, the Ironman in Arizona, includes 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.

As if this wasn't enough, Stockwell makes a point to encourage others in her situation to become more physically active and social. She helps fit veterans in the U.S. with new limbs and also co-founded the triathlon training group for people who have disabilities, Dare2Tri.

"Melissa understands what her role is on the planet," her coach, Stacee Seay, national manager for TrainingBible coaching and the head coach for Dare2Tri, told the news source. "Her injury does not define her, but it certainly, certainly makes her who she is today. She has taken what has happened to her and turned everything about it into a positive."

Stockwell is not alone in inspiring others to get moving. According to the news channel WTOP-TV, Sgt. Monte Bernardo, a triple amputee, got the help of Army Reserve Capt. Tammy Phipps, an occupational therapist, to make an exceptionally speedy recovery. Due to both of their attitudes and ambition, Bernardo will be driving just four months after his injuries. He was also walking just 47 days after he lost his legs and his left hand.

There are 6,144 American military personnel who have lost a limb in Iraq and Afghanistan, and these individuals are more at risk to become obese and experience pain and fatigue on top of their disability. It is important that these military personnel are active as soon as possible to prevent these secondary conditions.

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, there has been a renewed focus on school security. While administrators are busy determining the most appropriate steps to take, one servicemember  has taken it upon himself to stand guard, according to NBC affiliate WSMV News in Nashville, Tennessee.

Staff Sgt. Jordan Pritchard is standing in full fatigues but without his weapon in front of Gower Elementary School, where his children go to school. Although nobody asked him to do it, he says that providing a sense of safety in such a fragile environment is important.

"I feel like this is something I had to do," he told WSMV.

Even though he remains unarmed, Pritchard hopes his presence can bring comfort to families and children at the school.
"What this uniform represents, the hope it brings, is larger than any weapon that I would ever need," Pritchard told the news outlet.

The gesture by Pritchard is just the latest act of kindness in the wake of the shooting last week. On Twitter, for instance, the hashtag #26Acts has been trending to encourage people to do one good deed for each life lost.

Former president George W. Bush has been one of the most vocal advocates for the military since he left office, and he recently launched another initiative aimed at supporting their families. Bush plans on auctioning off a pickup truck he used around his famous Texas ranch and using the money to assist the loved ones of servicemen and women, reports The Associated Press.

The truck, a Ford F-150 King Ranch 4-by-4 SuperCrew, is set to go on the block on January 19, and all of the proceeds will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation, which is dedicated to helping troops and their families find homes. The ride, which also includes Bush's signature, has a unique place in United States history.

"Driven by a president and now benefiting veterans, this truck is an exceptional piece of Americana that would make any collector proud," Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson, the auction company selling the truck, said in a statement.

The auction is certainly not the first time Bush has made an effort to support servicemembers. Earlier this year, he hosted the Warrior Open, a two-day golf tournament that welcomed 22 soldiers who were wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The 2013 defense bill is one step closer to being signed by President Barack Obama, and if it becomes law it will offer some good news to troops at a time when the Pentagon budget has been at the front of the fiscal cliff talks. The legislation includes a number of provisions aimed at blocking some potentially damaging proposals, according to Military Times.

The $633.3 billion spending bill includes a number of important recommendations, but perhaps most significant is that it works to block raises to TRICARE drug co-pays, which were recently proposed by the Department of Defense (DOD). While it does not completely erase the potential of fee hikes, the new bill does drop them to a much lower level than what the DOD had originally suggested.

The bill avoided the hikes through a compromise. For example, a 90-day supply of mail-order prescriptions of generic drugs will have no co-pay. For brand name drugs, the cost will rise to $13, while drugs on the not-approved list will cost $44.

Avoiding potential cost increases was not the only important step forward made by the defense bill. The legislation also includes language that will help take the strides made since the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" to the next level. According to the publication, the bill mandates that same-sex marriages can be performed on bases located in states where it is legal for gay couples to marry.

The final product, which could be sent to Obama's desk soon, comes after significant compromises between the Pentagon and both chambers of Congress. Specifically, the new plan avoids needlessly spending around $74 billion over the next decade on unnecessary programs, according to Reuters. Outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta seems pleased with the outcome.

"We must make every dollar count," Panetta told reporters recently. "We must continue to carefully manage the balance between sustaining current operations, being ready to respond to crisis and emerging threats, preparing for future operations and investing in capabilities for the future."

While a positive step forward, the benefits offered by the bill could be derailed should Congress not reach an agreement on avoiding the fiscal cliff, the series of automatic spending cuts and tax hikes that would go into effect in 2013. The Pentagon would take a large brunt of the budget reduction and would be forced to cut an additional $500 billion over the next 10 years.

It's not uncommon for soldiers to struggle with transitioning from military service to civilian life. The stark contrast in lifestyle can be hard for some to grasp, and a unique program in California aims to offer vets an effective outlet to cope. Known as Pugilistic Offensive Warrior Tactics (P.O.W.), the program uses mixed martial arts to help troops forge long lasting relationships with each other, which then aids in their transition to life back at home, the North County Times reports.

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects an estimated 20 percent of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and while programs like P.O.W. may not be a cure, for some troops the intense physical activity serves as an outlet to relieve stress. The program has been especially helpful to Beaux Engelbert, who left the Marines in March after three tours in Iraq.

"I’m really here for other people more than myself at this point. I’m better than I was, and I feel like this program has helped me," he told the newspaper. "If I have something that I can train for, look forward to, and other people that I can help, that’s why I’m here."

The popularity of P.O.W. strengthens the already-burgeoning relationship between mixed martial arts and the military. In fact, active duty Army Ranger Colton Smith recently won the competition, "The Ultimate Fighter," which earned him a contract with mixed martial arts company Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, one of the longest-serving senators in United States history, passed away on Monday at the age of 88. A Medal of Honor recipient and the first Japanese-American to ever serve in Congress, Inouye will be remembered for playing a vital role in everything from the investigations during Watergate to Iran-Contra, according to The Associated Press.

Inouye, who was elected to the Senate in 1963, was given the Medal of Honor after losing his arm during a World War II battle in Italy. The battle in question took place on April 21, 1945, when Inouye led his platoon against heavy fire from German troops. Despite being wounded by a sniper and then later a grenade, he managed to guide his platoon to capture an important road junction.

Heroics aside, Inouye has been a staple on Capitol Hill for decades. Politicians from both sides of the aisle heaped praise on Inouye, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"He was the kind of man, in short, that America has always been grateful to have, especially in her darkest hours, men who lead by example and who expect nothing in return," he told the AP.