Here's a Way to Say Thanks to the Troops

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Judd Anstey, spokesman for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, said orders placed on or before Dec. 1 would ensure that a gift certificate is in the hands of a service member in Iraq or Afghanistan by Dec. 25.

Honors at Defense

Lorena Castro, a Navy project engineer, has been presented with the Defense Department's David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award.

Castro, in the Navy program executive office for ships, was recognized for developing an acquisition and contracting strategy for the purchase of three research ships for the National Science Foundation, the Pentagon said.

The award is named after the late Doc Cooke, a career federal executive who was known as "the mayor of the Pentagon" because of the key management positions he held.

The Pentagon also has announced winners of this year's Distinguished Civilian Service Award, which recognizes career employees for exceptional contributions to the department.

The winners are: Gus Guissanie, Thomas Harvey, Gail McGinn, Maurice M. Mizrahi, Victor Ferlise, Charles Gallaher, Bhakta Rath and Lawrence Fielding.

Stephen Barr's e-mail address isbarrs@washpost.com.

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