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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/