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Photos

Snapshots of what’s happening in the Defense Department.

Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron P. Mankin, an Iraq War veteran, tells the story of his facial reconstruction while attending a reception to honor Iraq War veterans in Crystal City, Va., Feb. 29, 2012. Mankin survived a bomb blast May 11, 2005, and said he has had more than 60 surgeries as the first patient of a reconstruction program at the University of California at Los Angeles. About 80 such veterans gathered at the reception before going to the White House attend a dinner in their honor.

Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron P. Mankin, an Iraq War veteran, tells the story of his facial reconstruction while attending a reception to honor Iraq War veterans in Crystal City, Va., Feb. 29, 2012. Mankin survived a bomb blast May 11, 2005, and said he has had more than 60 surgeries as the first patient of a reconstruction program at the University of California at Los Angeles. About 80 such veterans gathered at the reception before going to the White House attend a dinner in their honor.

Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron P. Mankin, an Iraq War veteran, tells the story of his facial reconstruction while attending a reception to honor Iraq War veterans in Crystal City, Va., Feb. 29, 2012. Mankin survived a bomb blast May 11, 2005, and said he has had more than 60 surgeries as the first patient of a reconstruction program at the University of California at Los Angeles. About 80 such veterans gathered at the reception before going to the White House attend a dinner in their honor.

Photo Gallery