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Video by Nicole McFarland

Inside the DoD: Jan. 25, 2013

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Jan. 25, 2013 | 7:26

President of the United States Barack Obama was sworn into office for his
second term as President and Commander in Chief on Monday, Jan. 21. Obama,
the 44th President, took the opportunity at his swearing in and later on at
his Inaugural Ball to thank service members for their sacrifice. His appearance at
the Commander in Chief's Inaugural Ball was marked by current service
members, Gold Star Families, Tuskegee Airmen and wounded warriors that
enjoyed incredible musical performances and a five foot tall cake, baked my
Duff Goldman of "Ace of Cakes."
See more about the DoD's support of the inauguration here: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0113_inauguration/

In response to ongoing violence in neighboring Syria, the U.S. has deployed
two Patriot Missile Batteries to Turkey as a larger group of NATO forces. Joining the U.S. service members will be missile defenders from Germany and The
Netherlands. Read more about it here: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=118797

January is National Blood Donor Month and the Department of Defense is working to raise awareness about the Armed Services Blood Program. Air Force Col. Richard McBride, director of the Armed Services Blood Program was interviewed by the Pentagon Channel about the differences between civilian and military blood programs, and how you can donate. This mission is one which we should all promote or take part in. The blood stays in the military blood system and heads out to military
hospitals around the world and to our brothers and sisters on the front
lines. Find out how and where to donate here: http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited troops and International Security
Assistance Force Allies throughout Europe in what is likely be his last trip
abroad as the Secretary of Defense. While on travel, he continued to build relationships
with our allies and took some time to impress future recruits. See more from his trip here: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0113_panetta1/