News Front
Calling it a bittersweet moment, Lt. Col. Steven Sattinger said goodbye and thank you to the 557th Horizontal Engineer Company today. The company, first activated in 1944 during World War II, was deactivated in a 20-minute ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "This is truly a bittersweet moment for me and many in
News Front
As elected officials received an on-sight construction update at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, garrison commander Col. Charles Hodges put the $7.2 million overpass project into perspective today with his insightful comment. JBLM has been a joint base for four years. "Yet it's not connected," Hodges said. In January, when the overpass at the Lincoln
Military Life
The second annual Celebrating Military Service Parade will be held in downtown Tacoma Saturday, Aug. 16, to honor military past and present. "It's in appreciation of the military," said Steve James, executive director of the Daffodil Festival. "It's a way of saying thank you." The parade, hosted by the Daffodil Festival, will
People Rule
For Jonathan Harris, working for the Air Force has never been an I-can't-wait-until-it's-Friday kind of job. And that passion, that love for the service, best explains his nearly 50 years with the military. "I love serving my country," Harris said. "I didn't want to take the uniform off." In 1961, as a
News Front
Typically, a driver stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic along the seven-mile stretch of Interstate-5 through Joint Base Lewis-McChord has a simple solution to the gridlock - build more lanes. But the remedy isn't that simple. That was part of the message at the Washington State Department of Transportation's public presentation Wednesday at Eagles
News
Just five days after Eric Shinseki resigned as Secretary of Veterans Affairs amid a growing scandal, U.S. Rep Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, met with 25 military veterans Wednesday to hear their stories of frustration in getting health care. Kilmer began the 90-minute gathering at the VFW Post in northern Tacoma with
Style
Since 2000, Art Mindas has been living his childhood dream. He's been a barber, cutting hair and sharing stories. "This is what I've wanted to do all my life," Mindas said. "I love it. I really am living my dream." Growing up in a small town in Indiana, Mindas can still conjure up
Health
On occasion, Russ Carlson will be talking with another military veteran about coming out to golf with him. The vet will shake his head no, saying an injury he suffered wouldn't allow him to do that. Carlson will then reach for a golf club. "Then he'll bang it on his false leg
News Front
It's a day they've circled on their calendars; a day they've trained for since March. It's the Special Olympics Summer Games, a three-day event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord that includes a variety of sports for children and adults with mental disabilities. "It's a very exciting day for them," said Genia Stewart, coach
Recreation
If you like laughing at comedians, watching jugglers and stilt walkers. If you like military history, seeing historic weapons from the Civil War and WWII. And if you like seeing modern day military equipment like a UH-60 Black Hawk or weather balloon systems from WWII. Then the Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Armed Forces
News Front
With the mission to disarm roadside bombs and to train Afghan military, nearly 50 soldiers from the 787th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 3rd EOD Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, will soon be heading to Afghanistan for a nine-month assignment. This morning, a ceremony was held for the deploying soldiers from
News Front
As the military continues to downsize as the United States pulls out of the Middle East and as the decade-long conflict comes to an end, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith said some difficult budgetary decisions would be made that will impact Joint Base Lewis McChord. With the budget reductions, Smith warned about
People Rule
Inevitably, whenever there's a project that needs to be done, Lance Nelson's hand will go up and he'll say, "I can do that." Whether he's coaching one of his kids' baseball teams, or he's acting as the president of his elementary school's PTA, or he's the president of his neighborhood association,
News Front
On a day of farewells and goodbyes, Col. Jody Miller added the thank you and a job well done to the soldiers of his brigade. During an hour inactivation ceremony, the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team was recognized for eight years of stellar service this morning. In the Army's downsizing from
News Front
On this day - as ROTC cadets do as many burpees as they can in two minutes, or scale a 30-foot wall using a rope as fast as they can, or jog 6 miles carrying a 35-pound pack as quick as they can - it's all about tearing down and
News
With a mission statement that states "We've got your back," a Rally Point/6 office has opened in Lakewood ready to help transitioning military in the next step of their careers. Whether you're a veteran looking for a new job as you leave the military, or wanting to pursue college or a
Family
Diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school, Brianna Galvan has endured the "you can't" challenges in life. That's why Carol Galvan, Brianna's mother and biggest fan, has always been the encourager, the voice that says "You can." Friday, Carol believes her daughter will become a poster child for "can," an inspiration for the
Recreation
Since joining the Army 20 years ago, Scott Fitzgerald has always tried to bring a little piece of his past with him wherever he goes. Whether he's been stationed in Germany, or in Leavenworth, or, as he is now, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fitzgerald packs his skates and hockey stick. This
People Rule
While under a surprise enemy attack in August 2013, Mark Colbert and Andrew Busic risked their lives during an intense, face-to-face skirmish in Afghanistan, saving the lives of fellow soldiers and civilians. In recognition of their heroic actions, Chief Warrant Officer Mark Colbert and Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Busic were awarded
Heroes & Awards
Because of its projects to eliminate homelessness among military veterans and to increase Medicaid assistance for veteran families, the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs received two national awards Tuesday, Feb. 11. Clyde Marsh, the president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, presented the WDVA with two