Focus
From a borrowed soup kettle, Seattle's Union Gospel Mission began in 1932 to feed and care for those suffering during the Great Depression. "Now we love and care for thousands of our homeless neighbors every day throughout the greater Seattle area," wrote Ashley Carver, the mission's marketing project specialist. "Our mission
Focus
St. Vincent de Paul of Tacoma-Pierce County is a welcoming community of individuals committed to offering person-to-person service to those in need. "We are one of the best kept secrets in helping others," commented Tracy Peacock, executive director, as she walked through a well-organized reception yard. "We help those in need,
Family
Tori Reim describes herself as lighthearted. "I am really easy going, and I try to see things from other people's points of view," she began. "I feel like too many people take life much too seriously." Reim grew up on a ranch outside of Sahuarita, Arizona, a small mining town just south
News Front
The growing division between civilians and the military is akin to a long-term marriage that is headed for divorce court. For all intents and purposes, it looks like the perfect marriage - the nice house, the right friends, and a comfortable income. But behind the scenes of this upper middle-class union,
Focus
As Robert Ezelle prepared to go home after the horrendous events of 9/11, he took a last look out over the operations floor in the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) building at McChord Field. "We had those old green radar screens, and those scopes were never blank," he recalled. "But on that
Military Life
Amy Shick is involved with Army life. As a youngster she was small, loud and hyperactive. Growing up in Redding, CA, her family always had hamsters, bunnies, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, birds, pigs, donkeys, cows, ponies and horses for her to be with. "Not all at the same time!" she exclaimed. Moving to
News Front
Approximately 200 Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment and 23rd Engineer Battalion deployed to northern California Aug. 31 to help in the fight against the Dixie Fire in the Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park and the Plumas National Forest. Both units are part of the
Veterans
The Department of Veterans Administration recently mailed a letter to some veterans that begins by informing them that they may qualify for disability benefits but one local attorney who is also impacted as a former soldier expressed concerns. The letter from the VA states the following: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
News Front
A page in the history of the Washington National Guard was turned a week ago on the parade grounds of Camp Murray during an End of Mission Ceremony for Joint Task Force (JTF) Steelhead. Steelhead was the name of the Guard's response to the COVID-19 pandemic from March 15, 2020 to
Focus
In 1976 a bored Gordon Jay wandered into a recruiter's office. "I was attending college at Centralia Community College, but I had to wait for the guy who carpooled with me from Elma to finish his classes," began the retired warrant officer. "I started talking to the guy, and the rest
Focus
Rick Patterson has been involved with the Washington National Guard since he was a youngster. "My family spent many summers on American Lake, and we stayed in National Guard-owned camping trailers parked at the Guard's beach there," he began. "Later, when both my brother and I were ready to enlist for service,
Focus
While playing Babe Ruth League baseball in 1976 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Tim Gorden broke his neck. As a result, he spent six months in neck traction devices before undergoing fusion surgery. "The life lesson here is that regardless of what you believe is not recoverable and devastating is rarely that," wrote
News Front
Breaking News - A recent cyber-attack on a civilian company has resulted in the polluting of a small town's water supply. "The attackers are inside the network of this company," explained Maj. Sameer Puri, Washington Army National Guard, Chief Information Officer, "and they are using ‘cyber injects' to resist our attempts
Focus
1Lt. Brett Cox is a master of integration; he is a generalist as opposed to a specialist; he knows a great deal about a great many disciplines and applies that knowledge is a practical way. "My spectrum of passions ranges from water sports, outdoor hobbies, cars and all things aviation to
Focus
There are two circles of events which characterize Command Sergeant Major Brian Rikstad's service in the Washington Army National Guard as he nears the end of a 39-year career in uniform. The arc of his service began in the wake of the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980. He watched on
Focus
In his line of service, Maj. Sameer Puri knows a lot about cybersecurity. He is a Title 32 Active Guard and Reserve member of the Washington Army National Guard. In this role not only does Puri serve as the Director of Information, he is also the team chief for the Defensive
Veterans
Mark Herr said that concentrated effort is an excellent way to achieve one's business goals. "It takes hard work," the Army veteran began. "In war zones and in recruiting, I learned that I had to go out and get what I wanted, even if there were several other people who wanted
Focus
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Scott Pierson understands the power of music. "We have the great privilege of interacting with the citizens of Washington as citizen soldiers because we all live and work in Washington," Pierson, commander of the 133rd Army Band, Washington Army National Guard (WAARNG), wrote in an email. "In some
Focus
USO Northwest recently welcomed David Dutcher as the new manager of its Camp Lewis Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). "Due to the pandemic, the center has been closed for a little over a year," said the native of Mississippi, "and I would say that my two biggest challenges are bringing
Family
The Fourth of July holiday is a time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. For service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, it provides a number of opportunities for fun and fireworks. The recent easing of restrictions due to COVID-19 did not allow event organizers enough time to
