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Busy lawmakers take time to help Muppets and the USO

Reps. Jon Runyan, R-N.J., and Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, pack care packages alongside Cookie Monster during a Capitol Hill event Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — When Cookie Monster asks for a favor, even Congress listens.

Dozens of House members stopped by a USO/Sesame Street event Wednesday morning to help fill about 2,000 care packages for troops deployed overseas. The event was a kickoff for the group’s fifth annual military family tour, which includes visits to 42 military bases worldwide in coming months.

House moves to block another BRAC round

WASHINGTON – Congress is again batting away attempts by the Pentagon to shut down domestic bases that defense officials say are underused and unneeded by a military that is being forced to shrink by a falling defense budget.

Defense budget language introduced by House lawmakers on Wednesday forbids the Defense Department from planning or initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC.

Fort Bliss gets on the microgrid, a first for DOD

Army and Lockheed Martin officials cut the ribbon at a ceremony May 16, 2013, marking the launch of a new microgrid at Fort Bliss, which will help make the base more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. U.S. Army

WASHINGTON – The Army flipped the switch on an advanced power system at Fort Bliss Thursday, taking a step towards the Pentagon's goal to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its military bases around the world.

Part of the El Paso, Texas, base now runs on what's called a microgrid, an emerging technology that makes the system more energy and cost efficient by harnessing solar power and storing energy for future use. But the microgrid, which is the first at a DOD installation, is as much about security as it is the environment and cost savings.

Blue Star Families survey shows stress over finances, deployments

WASHINGTON – Blue Star Families on Thursday released its fourth annual survey of members, looking at their top stressors and successes. The online poll, which drew more than 5,100 responses, included views from both troops and their spouses.

Officials from Blue Star Families, which advocates on behalf of military spouses and dependents, said the survey helps highlight trends and concerns among troops and their families.

Military meme roundup

They have invaded everything - your Facebook newsfeed, your casual daily dalliance with reddit, and maybe even your twitter account.

Maybe - just maybe - there’s one what will make you literally laugh out loud. If you’re lucky.

 
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