News Front
Safe Streets is about safety, empowerment and community. For over a quarter of a century, the organization has been serving the Pierce County and Joint Base Lewis-McChord communities. Located in downtown Tacoma, Safe Streets is a nonprofit organization that brings people together to take back their streets. "During the late 1980s, there was
News Front
Fortitude is defined as courage in the face of pain or adversity. In light of America's history, Native Americans can correctly point to the fact that they fought with fortitude in order to preserve their way of life. In fighting to first protect what they believed to be theirs, and then later
Military Life
Over the front door to the Lakewood YMCA appear the words, "We're more than a gym - we're a cause." That is an accurate statement. Founded by George Williams in 1844, the YMCA, or Young Men's Christian Association, is a worldwide organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The association's mission is to put
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Working together toward a common goal is preferable to working against one another. Since January 2012, the United States has redefined its global securities priorities when it decided to rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region. And Joint Base Lewis-McChord units are at the tip of that spear, even when it comes to
South Sound Cinema
What's your all-time favorite film? The answers varied widely as I sat and listened to 17 soldiers respond. Everyone in room C-203 in the Stone Education Center agreed that they liked a particular film because it told a story that meant something to them. Storytelling is an ancient art, and films are just
Military Life
The Washington Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is an often unnoticed and underrated asset to the state and its citizens. "We aren't always noticed; we don't always stand out," said 1st Lt. Jessica Jerwa, public relations officer. "These are sharp, young people; they are highly motivated to serve this
News Front
The Shadow knows! For those of us of a certain age, the first three words of this article allude to The Shadow, a collection of crime fighting, 1930s pulp novels. The series' hero was a World War I hero named Kent Allard, a shadowy character who dressed in a slop-brimmed hat and
News Front
A soldier tossed a smoke grenade into a shallow hole. There was a pop, a fizz, and then whitish grey smoke. A moment later, another soldier moving carefully down a trail, detected the noise and smoke. Within seconds dense, yellow smoke engulfed him. The soldier reacted to the simulated chemical attack. Not
Military Life
Taking care of one's teeth is an excellent way to take care of one's overall health. Research clearly indicates that poor oral health can play a contributing factor in the development of diabetes, heart disease, pneumonia and pregnancy complications. Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children (LDCC) is dedicated to providing accessible, compassionate and
Military Life
Opportunity is defined as a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.Even better is when an opportunity allows those circumstances to lead to something good that benefits a community. "The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is an opportunity for local nonprofits in Pierce, Thurston and Lewis Counties to solicit
Military Life
Most people recognize the lily - a symbol of spring - as the official Easter Seals' logo due to its association with the building of a new life. For the past 68 years, Easter Seals Washington has provided services to ensure that people with disabilities and families in need have equal
Military Life
The sign on Jodi Land's desk says it all about the Fisher House on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "Love What You Do," it reads. "The Fisher House is all about comforting, about providing a place the offers a sense of security and understanding," said Land, the business manager. JBLM's Fisher House is located at
Military Life
Leslie Burger said he has a big soapbox from which to speak. I believe him. "There is an incredible need to support servicemembers and their families, active and retired, with health-related needs," the retired Army doctor, past Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) commander, general officer, and past president of the Madigan
Military Life
An ark is a symbol of protection and safety to meet the needs of a community. The MultiCare Health Foundation understands the connection between caring for those in need and being in the community is which providers serve. "We are all about caring on all levels," Mary Ann Bastin, director of pediatric
Military Life
The overriding question at Catholic Community Services (CCS) is, "How can we help?" "We provide opportunity as the answer to that question," said Mike Curry, acting agency director. "We fill in what is needed in the lives of our clients." At the core of CCS existence are the values of compassion, diversity,
News Front
Steadfastness and adaptability characterize the mission of the USO Northwest. The United Service Organizations is a private, nonprofit enterprise that supports servicemembers and their families through the Combined Federal Campaign, or CFC. Supporting America's troops is the USO's primary mission. Over the past 49 years, the organization has evolved, developing new programs
News Front
The staccato of automatic weapons fire filled the still desert air at the Yakima Training Center. "You're next," 1st Lt. Kenneth Medina, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, said to me as we approached the shoot house on Range 24. "You can enter with my men and see how well they do as
News Front
Spc. Jacob Darbonne patiently explained to a soldier assigned to the 6th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army how his M-4 works. Through halting English, the Indian soldier said he appreciated what Darbonne, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, had told him. "This is good for us to come
News Front
Putting one foot in front of the other in an activity commonly referred to as walking is good for you and others - especially when the walkers have the goal in mind of ending AIDS. On Saturday, Sept. 12, the 24th annual South Sound END AIDS Walk will be held. Sponsored
News Front
There is a connection between the 2005 devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina and this year's massive forest fires in eastern Washington. Denise Dhane is that connection to Operation Firestorm. The vice president of the DuPont Sub-Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, Dhane and Don Ham, the commander
