The headlines splashed across newspapers, magazines, websites and the evening news haven't been kind to Soldiers at Joint Base Lewis McChord over the last few years.

They paint a bleak picture of life at the base. Reports have been circulating about war crimes committed by Soldiers in Afghanistan; steroid abuse charges against a unit on base; the shooting of a Salt Lake City police officer and the killing of a Mt. Rainier National Park ranger by a former Soldier; rising suicide rates among Servicemembers; and the reversal of hundreds of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases. In the latest incident, an alleged JBLM Soldier went door-to-door in two different villages in Afghanistan March 11, killing 16 Afghan villagers, according to officials from NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

Reportedly, the Soldier is a staff sergeant with JBLM's 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and deployed with 2,500 other Soldiers to Afghanistan in December. The brigade has deployed to Iraq three times since 2003, but this is its first tour to Afghanistan; it is reportedly the staff sergeant's fourth deployment.

The emotional impact of this incident, right on the heels of other recent events, has rocked JBLM and its surrounding communities. Yet, the responses have remained unanimous - we need to do more to support and care for our Servicemembers.

"We cannot lose sight of the fact that Soldiers on JBLM are heroes," said Dr. Jeff Gardere, CNN psychologist and medical expert in the field of mental health. "Most Americans are afraid to do what these heroes put their lives on the line for. We shouldn't put the base or its Soldiers down. This isn't a reflection of all Servicemembers, and we cannot accept it as such. JBLM Soldiers and their families should maintain their pride."

Gardere is also a clinical professor at Touro College in New York City, and has worked with veterans in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). "Instead of reacting with shame, this is a wake-up call," he said. "We should ask ourselves what we can do to help the situation."

Since 2010, a series of high-profile incidents have involved Servicemembers with ties to JBLM. Four Servicemembers were convicted of deliberately killing Afghan civilians in Kandahar Province. Three Soldiers were shot and killed by police officers (one officer was shot). On New Year's Day, a former Soldier shot and killed a park ranger at Mt. Rainier. Several other Soldiers were charged with abusing steroids. More recently, 285 PTSD cases were reinstated, and the forensic psychiatric unit responsible for assessing those cases (at JBLM's Madigan Healthcare System) is currently under investigation for its screening procedures. JBLM suicide rates also hit an all-time high in 2011, with 12 cases.

"These controversies cannot overshadow the many awards and outstanding service medals JBLM has received," said Damian Gennette, a licensed medical health counselor (LMHC) and therapist at Tacoma Counseling for Men. Gennette, who has extensive experience working with military personnel from JBLM and is the owner of the men's therapy practice, said Soldiers shouldn't lose sight of all the excellent things done through JBLM for the community. "Let's not forget these men and women and the quiet multitudes of bravery, courage and heroism that they complete every day," he said.

Addressing Servicemembers directly, he advised, "Your quiet acts and you unsung heroes aren't forgotten. You believe you're just doing your jobs, and no one may know what you've done, but you know - every day you know - and the JBLM community remembers."

"JBLM is a large base and unfortunately stuff happens when so many Soldiers are stationed in one location and deploy so frequently," said Jeff Brennan, a former Marine sergeant.

The base is home to more than 100,000 military and civilian personnel and thousands of families. It is home to more than 30 different units from the Army, Air Force, Reserves and National Guard, and thousands of them have deployed on multiple occasions over the last several years. At 415 acres, JBLM is also one of the largest military installations in the country.

There are currently 37,000 NATO troops and 91,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, many of whom hail from JBLM. 

Brennan believes that community plays an important role in helping the emotional healing that will commence over the next several months.

"We need to send more care packages to let troops know we care about them," said Brennan, who was diagnosed with PTSD and is now a motivational speaker and activist for ending veteran suicide. "Soldiers can deal with this by relying heavily on each other and surrounding themselves with friends and peers and family and love. Soldiers are a community, and they need to stay that way, no matter what."

When asked what Servicemembers can do to keep their heads held high in light of these scandals, he said, "One bad apple wouldn't ruin things - troops know they're making a difference. Guys need to be vigilant and watch out for each (other) - they need to be the unit they've always been."

Rod Wittmier, director of the National Alliance to End Vet Suicide (formerly VetsmeetVets), said his organization and its members are dedicated to finding out what Servicemembers need and how they can assist them. "We all need to be open and inviting and continue to pour ‘love on them'," he said.

He encourages individuals to be interested in the future of Soldiers, and be partners with them in finding their new missions post combat. "People don't live for now, they live for the future," he said. "Our troops need to take on their next mission. We need to ask them ‘What are you doing next?' and help them move past war."

Dorothy Wilhelm, a KIRO radio and TV personality and writer, inspirational speaker and columnist at the The News Tribune, agrees. "We need to give them something to believe in again," she said. "We are beyond excuses; it's time for the community to act like the extension of the post that we are."

When asked what the military community can do to move forward, Wilhelm said, "What has happened in life that makes you think we're not going to move beyond this?"

The now 80-year old Tacoma resident and former military wife has sons in the military and a husband who retired from JBLM. Her advice to the civilian community: the simplest things count most when it comes to acknowledging and saying thank you to Servicemembers.

"Pay for their meals, let them move ahead of you in a line, don't just say ‘thank you,' but personalize it and tell them why you appreciate them," she said. "Treat JBLM Soldiers like they're your own kids, and let's seize this as an opportunity to put our kids back together again."

"Welcoming troops home doesn't end at the welcome home ceremonies," added Rick Tillman, a former Army sergeant, radio personality and president of Internet music radio PhatJamz9311.com and KLSLJamz.com. "It has to continue indefinitely."

Tillman said the community should not focus on the fears that the media has painted, but on how to embrace and hold up Soldiers.

"War doesn't happen every day, and Soldiers can't turn on and off like a light switch. We need to recognize that," he said.

The collective voices of the surrounding communities and military families can be summed up by what one JBLM first sergeant said, "Be proud of being a Soldier. Hoo-ah!"