Military Life
For the third year in a row, the local community is invited to contribute to the Military Care Package Supply Drive. Maggie Connors, a military spouse and financial advisor, is the energy behind the drive; the DuPont office of Edward Jones where she works is the sponsor. "I have to say the
Travel
Spring is near and you deserve a vacation. To get the most for your money, whether you're active-duty, retired or a veteran, take advantage of the following opportunities. All Veterans Take advantage of the Veterans Holidays (VH) Program, which offers seven-night resort stays during off-peak dates for pennies on the dollar. To maximize
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Whitney Stafford is the epitome of persistence in advocating for equity for military spouses in the job market. Several years ago after earning her Bachelor of Science degree, she sought employment in the social work market to earn an income and to determine where to concentrate in earning a Master of
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How is it that the City of Lacey winds up in a story about the Best of Olympia? To answer this question requires some explanation. In a very unofficial poll covering various topics conducted by this weekly publication, Lacey was voted as the Best Military Supporter. Who would have thought this possible? Perhaps
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The Tacoma Vet Center has served veterans and families in the region for more than 25 years, and it now has the ability to amplify that service. Known as a Mobile Vet Center (MVC), it is a 38-foot vehicle loaded with trained staff, technology and information that allows the center to
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The Outdoors for All Foundation will soon offer a military mountain biking program to disabled veterans. "I envision this program to be a big place for vets to feel a rush of adrenaline," wrote Bryan Messick, the foundation's military program manager, in an email. The foundation began in 1978 with 15 children
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Maj. Diana Ellerman, an Army Reserve officer who serves in a training battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, will receive the Army's coveted Pershing Award. The recognition is bestowed on the most distinguished student from the Command and General Staff College Distance Learning Advanced Operations Course. "The award recognizes academic rigor, critical thinking
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For military spouses looking for a job, the task might just get a bit easier. Last week, the Washington House of Representatives passed House Bill 2456, a piece of legislation that fosters greater awareness of job opportunities for military spouses. Next, the bill will move on to the Senate. "This is an
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Dean had twice experienced homelessness, and he was well down the highway to hopelessness. In December 2016, however, he moved into the Multi-Service Center's new William J. Wood Veterans House (WJW House), and he began to turn his life around. "The homeless thing sucks," the Air Force veteran wrote in an email.
Military Life
Lakewood's Crunch Fitness gym offers members of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord community a great opportunity to stay fit and have fun. Crunch Fitness opened in July of last year in the Lakewood Towne Center. It has been a hit with servicemembers and their families. "(More than) 33 percent of our membership is
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The Intrepid Spirit Center is a reality at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Representing the next evolution of treatment for soldiers with serious head injuries, the $11 million facility aims to advance care by offering special, personalized treatment in a comprehensive program partly supported by private donations. Helping to put the finishing touches on
Military Life
Paul Handelman tells stories about everyday people with his mixture of country, bluegrass and honky-tonk music. He describes himself as "unbridled," which became the title track of his debut EP that he released in late 2017. The release showcases Handelman's unique one-man-band style along with the sounds of his banjo picking
Military Life
One way to start the New Year is to participate in a fitness program or play intramural sports. What follows is a listing of the 2018 intramural sports programs. Intramural Sports "Commander's Cup" refers to sports where points are earned to win the Commander's Cup, presented at the end of the season. "Open" refers
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Diane Formoso, founder of the Caring for Kids program that serves thousands of underprivileged school-age children and their families in Lakewood and other municipalities, was presented the first Larry Saunders Service Award. In a ceremony in Council Chambers at Lakewood City Hall, friends, city staff and city officials honored Formoso last
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The upcoming movie 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers, will open in theaters Jan. 19. The much-anticipated film is based on the 2009 best-selling book, Horse Soldiers, by Doug Stanton. However, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) will host a free premiere of the film Saturday (Jan. 13)
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Retired Master Sgt. Edmund Cox did not know any of the 64 individuals whose names were published in a Nov. 16, 2017, Stars and Stripes article entitled "Remembering The Edison 64." Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the corner of Lehigh Ave. and Eighth St., Thomas Alva Edison High School has the
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Col. Sean Pierce is slated to be the 446th Airlift Wing's new commander. A change of command ceremony will be held Saturday, Jan. 6, at 2 p.m. at The Club at McChord Field. Col. Scott McLaughlin will relinquish command; he will be reassigned to March Air Force Base, California, as
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What follows is part two of this reporter's look at the actions of servicemembers whose names honor Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The Nisei: Technician Fifth Grade James Okubo At the start of World War II, Okubo was one of the 110,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry to be interred at the Heart Mountain War
Travel
Last month's snow flurries are a reminder that winter is near. As the cold season sets in, it's a good idea to winterize the car. To ensure reliable and safe driving during the cold months, here are a few tips to keep in mind. Have your car's engine oils, fluids, battery,
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The reading and writing about the servicemembers memorialized in street, installation and building names on Joint Base Lewis-McChord has been a humbling experience. Many received the Medal of Honor, and most made the ultimate sacrifice. What follows are this reporter's thoughts on some of these men, whose names honor JBLM. The Logistician:
