News
Army combat veteran and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier of the Pittsburgh Steelers said he's often asked what it's like to be in combat. "We pray that we come back from war," he said he tells them. "We have to live with the scars, both visible and invisible. We have
News
An 18-year-old son of Keene Valley, New York, upon being drafted into World War II service in 1943, Charles W. Smith decided to do something different - something new for that time. His decision to apply to be an Army ski trooper and his service in Italy would change his life
News
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Victor Hugo, former 446th Military Air Wing command chief, started out his Air Force career in 1951 by attending basic military training at what was then Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. In 1951, being three years young, the United States Air Force didn't have
News
Those being recognized next week don't do it for the accolades; however, having the opportunity to thank them anyway is the theme of a ceremony hosted by Ranger Publishing Company. Next week, a special luncheon is planned to honor several organizations and individuals that serve our troops in the South Sound
News
A new app that's in the works will help post-traumatic stress disorder patients quell night terrors - something that one of its college-aged developers knows all about. When 21-year-old Tyler Skluzacek isn't busy working on his triple major of economics, computer science and applied math - and yes, you read that
News
On a shelf in the Museum of Glass lobby stand boots in sand. Underneath lies a glass art rendition of a red, white and blue improvised explosive device. The wall label explaining the art says, "You never know. Step one way and you're safe. Step another and you're not. Happenstance.
News
In 1915, James Richard Thompson opened the Mountain View Cemetery. His son, J. Arthur Thompson, built the Mt. View Funeral Home on the property in 1942, making it the first combined cemetery and funeral home on the West Coast and only the second in the entire country. Over the years,
Military Life
Joint Base Lewis-McChord plans to celebrate the season with numerous activities. Here is what is expected: EVENTS NOV. 1-20 Thanksgiving Dinner To-Go. $75.95-$174.95. Place your order by Nov. 20 for easy take-and-bake options for your Thanksgiving meal. Chef-created meals include all the family holiday favorites. Depending on which option you choose, meals will
Military Life
The iconic and much beloved teddy bear has long been a symbol of endearment and love. Thanks to a terrific partnership of two nonprofits and a student service group, the classic teddy bear is taking on a whole new meaning. Operation Ward 57, a nonprofit organization that supports wounded, injured and ill
Military Life
Never underestimate the power of a dollar bill, especially one donated to a cause dedicated to helping others. "Every gift, even as small as one dollar, goes to helping a child receive a backpack full of food during the school year, a senior citizen food and companionship, or a homeless family
Spouse magazine
SPOUSE magazine is a free, online magazine that addresses the unique needs and interests of military spouses at Joint Base
News Front
One of the largest Veterans Day parades in the United States of America takes place right up the street from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Auburn, Washington. "The Auburn Veterans Day Parade offers an opportunity for the entire community to come out and show support, gratitude and thanks to each and
Jobs & Education
Sgt. Jacob Howard is on his way to becoming a great aviation maintenance technician. "With a manual, I can take the world apart," the soldier assigned to the 16th Combat Aviation Battalion said. "I love maintenance; I like taking things apart, fixing them and putting them back together." Stepping back from his vision
News Front
In remembrance of Armistice Day and celebration of Veterans Day, the Thurston County Veterans Services Council hosted a Veterans Day event in the Capitol Rotunda, in Olympia, Nov. 11, 2015. Armistice Day is commemorated, every year, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to mark the
News Front
Rain fell at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Monday afternoon. It was a chilly and damp autumn day as members of the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery's Bravo Battery stood in formation before their families. A cold wind chilled the audience, many rubbed their hands together for warmth. But many of the
Bars & Clubs
An interesting thing happened at Tacoma's Engine House #9 on Oct. 28, 2015. A packed room was assembled to discuss an important issue. No, the topic at hand wasn't a proposed mixed-use building or the hits and misses of a Seattle sports team: rather, this was a panel-led discussion about
Stage
Gray, cloudy fall weather got you down? Politics bumming you out? Just plain sick and tired of the daily grind? Maybe what you need is a good laugh and a chance to spend an evening with friends, forgetting those troubles and ... who knows? ... maybe even being inspired. The Olympia
Music
Why is it that minimalism always sounds much harsher than the lush efforts of bigger bands? There's an aggression at play with minimalist bands that transcends the limitations of production. Bands like Suicide and producers like Steve Albini recognized this phenomenon, erring on the side of thinness and lo-fidelity in
Stage
Styles of comedy come in and out of fashion. Comedies of manners were largely confined to the UK; slapstick is interchangeably considered the height of entertainment or the bottom of the barrel; cringe-comedy made a roaring entrance onto the scene with stuff like Christopher Guest movies and The Office, even
Reviews
The Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe has been a popular watering hole in the McKinley district of Tacoma for years, but while popular to those that know it, it's still an unknown for many local diners. You literally have to pass the Tacoma Dome and work your car over
