Business News
A soldier wearing an Army sweatshirt recently walked into Gilchrist Auto Center. Within moments he met Jack Knapp, a sales consultant. "He thanked me for my service," said the soldier, who did not wish to be identified. "I didn't expect that; I expected him to try and sell me a truck. He
News Articles
Family, friends and soldiers from the Fort Lewis community honored Sgt. Adam James Ray, Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, during a memorial service held yesterday afternoon. "He loved them and he loved serving with them," his mother said of her son's service with
Focus
A 35-pound ball rests on the end of a foot and a half long chain that is attached to a large equilateral triangular handle. It looks heavy. In fact, it is. But in the hands of Maj. Michael Mai - who stands 6'4" tall and weighs in at 255 pounds - the
Business News
From the experience of running a business comes the wisdom to know how to connect with other businesses. "I'm an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word," said Patricia Lecy-Davis, owner of Embellish salon. "We survive as a business here because of the connections we've made with other businesses." Motivated to
Business News
National Furniture & Bedrooms is a locally owned company that provides outstanding service to its customers. "We've been in the area for over 20 years," said John Oxsen, the company's general manager, as he sat on a comfortable sofa in the Puyallup store. "We do the best thing for the customer; we
Business News
Shur-Kleen Car Wash is awash in business. Located across the street from Gray Army Airfield, the carwash offers its customers a full range of services. "A car owner can come in here and get a great car wash, hand towel drying to reduce water spots, full-service interior vacuum, window and dashboard cleaning
Focus
The Air Force's dedication to excellence lives in the actions of Airman 1st Class Jessica Morehouse. A firefighter stationed at the Air Force Academy Fire Department, Morehouse and Stacy Billapando, a civilian firefighter with the Colorado Springs Fire Department, teamed up to set two world records during the recently completed Scott
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The 56th Army Band's Brass Quintet enjoys its mission. "It's fun; music is fun, and it's fun here," said Sgt. 1st Class Bob Lynch, the group's noncommissioned officer in charge, between warm-up exercises on his bass trombone. "It is great to be here. We love to play." Spc. Raymond DeLeon, trumpet; Sgt.
Veterans
Valentine's Day allows individuals an opportunity to celebrate their love and appreciation for those close to them. This especially applies to veterans. Called Valentines for Vets, there is a national effort that allows individuals to express their appreciation for what service members - past and present - have done and continue to
Focus
FOB Blackhawk - Negotiations in Afghanistan are nuanced and subtle affairs. There is no sense of urgency, no hint of directness. "Being direct in what we say does not help us," Lt. Col. William Clark told me as we headed into a meeting with Gen. Abdul Razik. Over the past five months
News Articles
The mission capability of 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) is about to become a bit more robust. The Army recently announced the planned activation of a new battalion for the group. The activation will bring another 430 Green Berets to Fort Lewis. Along with the soldiers, the change also calls for the
Focus
Capt. Tom Casey and his soldiers still work in a tent. The reason for this is simple; he wanted everyone else to have hard structures in order to better do their missions. "As you can see, we are still in a tent," said the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT), 8th
Focus
With the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the creation of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) passed a key milestone. The final result of many months of work by planners from both bases, the agreement completes the process of creating the joint base. JBLM is on track to initiate joint operations
Jobs
Staff Sgt. Christian Panquerne is a dedicated soldier who enjoys the variety his military occupational specialty, or MOS, provides him. "It's part of combat arms," said Panquerne as he sat in his living quarters at Camp Taji, Iraq. "I enjoy the infantry, and I also enjoy the engineering - the blowing
Focus
FOB Blackhawk - There is deliberateness akin to how a surgeon works that goes into the planning of an artillery strike in the fire direction center, or FDC. Except instead of using a scalpel to work, the center uses 155mm howitzers. Attached to the 5th Stryker Brigade's 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment,
Focus
Capt. Carl Subler is a dusty boots chaplain. "I am a priest who happens to be in the Army," he said as we sat and talked outside his tent. "I am here to serve soldiers, any soldier." The only Roman Catholic chaplain assigned to 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Subler has the wonderful
Jobs
Spc. Anthony Gonzales is a physically strong soldier who provides indirect fire support to soldiers serving outside of Baghdad. His military occupational specialty is 11C, or indirect fire infantryman. In other words, he fires mortars. Gonzales joined the Army almost three years ago because he wanted a change in life and a
Jobs
Spc. John Crosby is an Army photojournalist because he wanted to go to war. "I've always wanted to be a GI Joe," said Crosby as he worked on some recent images in 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 2nd Infantry Division's tactical operations center. "And I thought this was a great
Jobs
Pfc. Brandon Jones confronts the challenges that bedevil some soldiers. He is a mental health specialist in the behavioral clinic at Madigan Army Medical Center. His military occupational specialty, or MOS, is 68X. "I give mental status exams for soldiers wanting to be snipers, drill sergeants and recruiters," said Jones. "This is
Jobs
Reserve components - both Guard and reserve members in all five branches of service - comprise about 46 percent of the nation's military manpower. That's a lot of power for civilian employers to lose as reservists are called up to serve during the global war on terror. And that can lead
