A group of military families gathered at the White House this week for a sneak-peek of its vibrant holiday decorations. Hosted by first lady Michelle Obama, the special tour took families throughout several different rooms of the White House, including one where children were able to enjoy arts and crafts and make gifts for their families.
The theme for this year's decorations is "Gather Around," meant to celebrate the unity of Americans, according to the White House website. Many of the light displays also featured tributes to the military.
"Your sacrifice and service to this country [and] your families' stories are such an important part of our great American story – stories that remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season," the first lady said, as quoted by the Defense Department.
More than 80 volunteers helped decorate the White House beginning the day after Thanksgiving. USA Today reported that the holiday presentation includes two dozen Christmas trees and more than 2,000 ornaments, as well as a 300-pound gingerbread replica of the White House. Visitors will be able to tour the White House decorations this month.
In 2009, former Air Force Reserve major John J. Murphy applied to be the manager of Radnor Township, Penn., a suburb of Philadelphia. Although Murphy believed his military experience would give him a better chance at clinching the position, he was denied the job, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Now, Murphy is suing the township's Board of Commissioners, alleging that the board used his military service against him in the hiring process.
The news source reported that Murphy and his lawyers are meeting with city officials this week to set up a trial date regarding the claims that the board was worried about Murphy's military commitment. The board, according to Murphy, thought that his service would force him to frequently leave the township.
"Someone who decides to put their life on the line for their country should not be denied the right to fair treatment," Murphy's attorney, David Tomaszewski, told the news outlet.
Military service is protected under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which bars employees from discriminating against servicemembers during the hiring process. Active-duty and former servicemembers are equally protected under the USERRA, according to the Department of Labor. The law also protects disabled veterans looking for employment, and also ensures that returning servicemembers can be re-employed at their former jobs at the same pay and seniority status, regardless of their military absence.
Following the departure of Deputy Secretary of State Ash Carter, President Obama has appointed Christine Fox to serve under Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel as the acting Deputy Defense Secretary. Fox, who previously served as the director of the department's Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, will become the highest-ranking women to ever serve at the Defense Department.
"As a key leader of the Strategic Choices and Management Review, [Fox] helped identify the challenges, choices, and opportunities for reform facing the department during this period of unprecedented budget uncertainty," Hagel said in a statement released by the Pentagon.
According to Politico, Fox has been working in defense for decades, and was the inspiration for the fighter-pilot instructor in "Top Gun," the film's lead female role played by Kelly McGillis. A defense source told the news outlet that despite her vast experience, Fox does not want to be considered as a candidate for the permanent deputy defense secretary position.
Former Deputy Defense Secretary Carter announced his resignation in October, but did not officially leave his post until Dec. 4. Fox will take over this week and serve until Carter's successor is appointed.
After establishing the Home Base veterans employment program last month, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is continuing to push for veterans benefits. The governor announced Dec. 3 that the program, which encourages Iowa-based businesses to hire former servicemembers, is adding two incentives for local companies and stores.
According to The Sioux City Journal, Iowa companies that meet the requirements can be named a Home Base Iowa Business, while towns can be deemed a Home Base Community. To qualify as a Home Base Iowa Business, companies must post job openings on the Home Base Iowa website, hire a specific number of veterans and enroll in the Skilled Iowa program.
"Iowa Workforce Development has fielded dozens of calls and is working to place a number of veterans already," the governor said during a news conference. "We want veterans to know that Iowa can provide them not just a job, but a career in a caring, welcoming community."
Branstad added that all veterans in the state are eligible to use the Home Base services.
More than 240,000 veterans live in Iowa, according to a 2009 state summary from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter officially leaves his post at the Department of Defense Dec. 4, but he's not departing without first saying his goodbyes.
In a ceremony celebrating Carter's career at the Defense Department, the outgoing deputy defense secretary thanked his colleagues, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and also acknowledged the future of America's defense readiness.
"It's been the greatest privilege of my life," Carter said in his speech, as quoted in a statement released by the Pentagon. "More broadly, I hope we continue to learn ever better ways to combat terrorism, because as long as there is human society, there will be the problem of the few against the many, the aberrant and twisted against the decent and tolerant civilized life."
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey opened the reception with remarks, followed by speeches from Hagel and Jeremy Bash, the chief of staff for former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Bash read a note from Panetta to Carter.
According to the Pentagon, Carter served under 11 defense secretaries during his two tours at the DOD. The Washington Post previously reported that Carter was up for the job of Defense Secretary for the second term of the Obama administration.
Following the June 26 Supreme Court decision that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, the U.S. Army has officially extended its military benefits to the same-sex spouses of Army servicemembers.
According to Military Times, a directive issued by the Army in November stated that married same-sex servicemembers are eligible for a range of entitlements, including military identification cards and survivor benefits. The directive also clarified that servicemembers who live in a state were gay marriage is not recognized can take up to a seven-day leave to travel to state where a license can be obtained. However, a leave of absence will not be granted for those who currently live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal.
The official directive from the Army falls in line with the Department of Defense's policy, which was altered last summer in response to the overturn of DOMA.
"It is now the Department's policy to treat all married military personnel equally," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in statement released last August. ""This will provide accelerated access to the full range of benefits offered to married military couples throughout the department."
Due to the sequester and recent government shutdown, the military has been facing a lack of funding for some of its essential base operations, including commissaries.
According to The Fayetteville Observer, the Department of Defense is considering closing more than 175 commissaries located on domestic military installations, a move that will impact many military shoppers.
"[It] would be a dramatic impact on a lot of people," Mark Erskine, an Army veteran who is now commander of American Legion Post 230, told the news source. "Around here, lots and lots of veterans stay here. They stay here so they have access to using military benefits. The commissary and PX – those are benefits of being veterans, retired or on 100 percent disability."
The news outlet stated that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel asked the Defense Commissary Agency to create a plan that would close a majority of the military's stateside commissaries as part of the 2015 fiscal defense budget, which is due next February.
According to statistics released by the DeCA, servicemembers, veterans and military families who shop at commissaries receive about a 30 percent discount on groceries and other household goods.
After resisting for several months, the Texas Military Forces, which include the Texas National Guard and Reserves, announced Nov. 26 that it will allow servicemembers who are currently in same-sex marriages to apply for dependent benefits.
"We look forward to having the ability to process the benefits our service members and their families are entitled to," Lt. Col. Joanne MacGregor, the state public affairs officer, said in a statement.
The new directive from the Texas Military Forces ensures that same-sex military couples will receive their spousal benefits by partnering with the Department of Defense, which will provide the funding, personnel and equipment required for processing the applications. This way, no member of the Texas National Guard has to be involved, nor will it violate the state's constitution, which does not recognize same-sex marriage.
According to The Washington Post, the Texas Military Forces has been refusing to process the dependent benefits applications from its gay servicemembers since Sept. 3, when the new rules were enacted nationwide. The shift in policy was announced by the Pentagon last August, not long after the Supreme Court struck down a provision of the Defense of Marriage Act that blocked married gay couples from being recognized by federal agencies. Under the new rules, same-sex military couples can receive military identification cards, survivors benefits and other entitlements.
Local police squads will now be equipped with vehicles armed with bullet-proof glass and gun turrets, courtesy of the Defense Department.
According to The Associated Press, fighting vehicles that were used during the Iraq War are being given to police forces across the country through a national military surplus program.
"It's armored. It's heavy. It's intimidating. And it's free," Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple told the news source. Albany is one of five county sheriff's departments receiving the vehicles in the state of New York.
While the trucks might be free – and military-grade – the news outlet stated that they can also cause some issues for the local police forces. Coming in at 18 tons, the $500,000 vehicles only get about five miles to a gallon and might be too large to travel on commercial roads. In some cases, that can make them nearly inoperable. Despite these setbacks, many local police agencies are excited for their new arrivals.
Dallas County Sheriff's Department Spokeswoman Carmen Castro recently told The Blaze that the recent addition of its $600,000 armored truck will boost the department's readiness and safety. The Dallas Observer added that the sheriff's department new International MaxxPro MRAP was not used in overseas combat, but in stateside training exercises.
Johnny's Saloon, a mainstay in the sunny surfside city of Huntington Beach, Calif., is currently trying to save its iconic marquee that proclaims thanks and support for American veterans. Featuring a POW/MIA symbol, the black-and-gold billboard proudly situated on top of the bar reads: "Thank a veteran for your freedom!"
The OC Weekly reported that bar owner Johnny Kresimir will be hit with a $960 fine from the city's code enforcement department if he does not remove the famous sign from the roof of his bar as soon as possible.
A popular punk-rock haven in the sporty Southern California city, Johnny's Saloon opened in 1982 and began spreading its "thank a veteran message" since the early '90s, according to the establishment's website. Kresimir's father, Johnny Kresimir, Sr., frequently had customers come in who were World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans and wanted to express his support. The OC Weekly added that Johnny's Saloon is known for its community outreach efforts in support of veterans' charities.
"After spending $1,000's sponsoring the city's Marine 3/1 Marathon & The Surf City Veterans Day Car Show this is the thanks we get," Kresimir told the news source. "Every car dealership can do whatever they want whenever they want making Beach Blvd tacky but us little guys … want to spread a positive message."