News 6 Mashup: Dec. 6, 2021

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of Dec. 6, 2021, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

TRANSCOM $6.2 Billion HHG Contract Under Review

Just last week I reported that the $6.2 billion household goods contract was awarded to HomeSafe Alliance. However, this hotly contested contract, which has already been awarded three times, has received another protest filed with the Government Accountability Office, reported Federal News Network.

This is the third time the Government Accountability Office has received petitions protesting the contract, which resulted in multiple changes to the contract award. The initial contract came about after U.S. Transportation Command determined that a single entity heading the household goods moves will help fix many of the system issues, from better relationships with local moving companies to the experience that a service member receives.

“This is an opportunity to raise the standard for our families, attract quality capacity to the program, and introduce a level of accountability absent today,” said Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, the commander of TRANSCOM. “Once implemented, this contract will positively impact thousands of service members, civilian employees, and their families each year.”

DoD’s long-delayed household goods moving contract faces yet another protest

Wreaths Across America Seeks Volunteers

Wreaths Across America is seeking volunteers and sponsors for their Dec.18, 2021 event. Wreaths are laid on all veteran graves, from the Revolutionary War to present day conflicts, as a way to help remember, honor, and teach the sacrifices made for our country. Visit Wreaths Across America to find a location to volunteer near you.

White House Unveils Christmas Decorations to Honor Frontline Workers

The White House Christmas decor was unveiled last week. The theme, Gifts from the Heart, honors frontline workers who were instrumental in working through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nurses, doctors, teachers, grocery store workers, and others are recognized in this year’s gigantic Gingerbread White House,” reported AP News. An entire gingerbread village was created to honor frontline workers and includes a school, police station, fire station, gas station, hospital, post office, grocery store, and warehouse. Throughout the White House, there are 41 Christmas trees, 6,000 feet of ribbon, more than 300 candles, and more than 10,000 ornaments! To see photos, watch a video, or read about each room’s sub theme, visit the White House website.

Ten Families Celebrate with Loved Ones

Ten families will be enjoying an extra special holiday with their military loved one home this year. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, and WTOC, sponsored a giveaway: Home for the Holidays, reported WTOC. Ten military members received roundtrip airfare to or from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

Oddette Marie Alexis nominated her son. She said she thought it was a “long shot,” but now her son will be home for the holidays. “He was like, oh my gosh. He was really stressing about getting home and how he was going to afford it,” she told WTOC.

This Week in History

In 1955, a young child, trying to reach Santa, dialed a misprinted phone number from a department store advertisement in a local newspaper. Instead of Santa, the child called the Continental Air Defense Command, now called NORAD. The commander on duty that evening, Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, answered the call, quickly realized the mistake, and assured the child that he was in fact Santa. More calls poured in and Col. Shoup assigned a duty officer to continue answering the calls. NORAD continues its annual tradition of tracking Santa, with volunteers answering more than 130,000 calls from around the world. Snuggle up with your children Christmas Eve by logging onto NORAD’s Santa Tracking website, which is already up and running with games and videos to get you into the holiday spirit!

Photos: Public domain by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi and norad.mil