Free Republic

For the American servicemen and –women on the front lines – those who will be spending the winter at remote outposts or on patrol in places like Afghanistan – “home for the holidays” is just a dream. That’s why a special military lab has stepped up to give them a little taste of home: A holiday dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet-potato casserole, and green beans. Hot sauce? That too.

The US Special Operations Command is looking for revolutionary new gear assisting troops in exceeding human performance in combat. The idea sounds similar to a science fiction tale, but if the command will be successful in its quest – this time it may be real. The command has posted a Request For Information (RFI) to government research centers, academy and industry, to provide information that could contribute to the evolution of the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit, or TALOS. Defense-Update reports.

Senator Elizabeth Warren joined Mayor Thomas M. Menino on Friday to press for stricter gun control and throw her support behind three Senate bills that are expected to be filed next week in the wake of the massacre in Newtown, Conn. “We owe it to our children to start,” Warren said at a news conference at the Parkman House, the city-owned Beacon Hill residence where Menino is convalescing after a lengthy illness. On Dec. 14, a gunman with an assault rifle and two pistols killed 20 first-graders and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Warren said she will...

NATICK — Two men pleaded not guilty today in Framingham District Court after Natick Police said they started a fight during a child's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday. Donald Jean Estime, 32, of Brockton, and Ezekiel L. Tavares, 36, of East Boston, were both arrested Saturday at 5:19 p.m. and charged with assault and battery and disturbing the peace. According to a police report, the pair were at Estime's son's birthday party and appeared to have been drinking. Estime got into an argument with his son's mother's cousin because Estime was harassing that man's daughter who was...

After a lengthy debate, the Natick Special Town Meeting last night overwhlemingly approved funding for an $89 million new Natick High School, sending the measure to March 30 townwide special election. It is the second major construction project approved by Town Meeting this week. On Tuesday night, money for a new community/senior center was approved. With $43.1 million in reimbursements from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, Natick taxpayers will only have to pay for $45.9 million of the project with a property tax increase. Still, members questioned if the total expense of the project was completely necessary. "I have a...