NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Europe: Marks 70th anniversary of WWII beginning.

Face Of Defense: Soldier set to wrestle world heavyweights.

Gates: Hearts Strike Fighter, but sorry, no second engine.

Peter Callaghan: 2009 Tour of Tacoma Endangered Landmarks.

Well, OK: Iran has new nuclear proposal.

Stunning Election Win: Japan faces revolution in governance, not policy.

Still Burning: Firefighters in California work to protect homes.

Recipe For Disaster: Drivers in Samoa must switch to the left side.

MICHAEL SWAN: TIME FOR AN UPDATE >>>

Col. Joseph Martin, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon.

J.M. SIMPSON: MEET SGT. DANIEL FORTUNE >>>

"9/11."

That was Sgt. Daniel Fortune's simple and direct answer when asked why he joined the Army.

"I saw what happened to our country that day, and I wanted to do my part to bring America back," added the California native.

Enlisting in the Army after graduating from high school, Fortune serves as an artilleryman. He has deployed to Iraq twice - in 2003 and 2005.

He is a squad leader in A Company, Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB), and he is considering making the Army a career.

A dynamic noncommissioned officer, Fortune works with wounded warriors at the WTB by leading through example.

"It's all about integrity, about saying what you mean and doing what you say," said Fortune.  "Soldiers want their NCOs to lead by example. They want to see how you operate - that you make things happen and you are not just talk."

Talk is a quality that does not define Fortune's character.  Most of his answers are direct and to the point.

Self-service, on the other hand, does characterize his attitude.

"I think self-service is the most important of the Army's seven values," said Fortune. "To be in this line of service you have to be able to step outside of yourself for the welfare of those who serve with and for the country."

This is a message that he would like to see others follow by enlisting or reenlisting.

"Now is a good time to enlist," said Fortune.  "Despite what one sees and hears on television, we need people to serve the country and for the right reasons."

And as far as this NCO is concerned, that service is rooted in stepping up and taking the challenge of joining the Army.

"Go ahead and take the chance; it is good to serve."

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Obama Facing Major Strategy Decisions: Taliban surprising U.S. Forces with improved tactics.

Hey!: Is everyone upgrading their nuclear arsenals but us?

Cool: Carrier arresting gear gets a workover.

Down, Down, Down: Dropping the carrier requirement to 10, 9, and potentially 8.

New Season: President Obama is considering giving a major speech.

Seven Point Oh No: Powerful earthquake kills 14 in Indonesia.

Suicide Bomb Blast: Deputy chief of intelligence is slain in Afghanistan.

How Amazon Sees It: Congress should be responsible for establishing rules on how to deal with digital copies of books.

How Many Times Have We Heard This: Pantless man accused of harassing neighbor's horse.

Just. Put. Me. Away.: Man says he robbed bank to get away from wife.

Not Army Material

MICHAEL SWAN: TWO MORE FORT LEWIS SOLDIERS DIE IN AFGHANISTAN >>>

The Department of Defense announced today the death of Spc. Jonathan D. Welch, 19, of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Pfc. Jordan M. Brochu, 20, of Cumberland, Maine, both who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Aug. 31 in Shuyene Sufia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

The Fort Lewis PAO released a statement regarding the death of the two Fort Lewis soldiers:

According to unit records, Welch enlisted March 30, 2007 at Los Angeles, Calif. He reported to Fort Benning, Ga. for initial entry training on May 31, 2007. Upon graduation, he reported Fort Lewis, Wa. on Oct. 3, 2007, where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. This was his first deployment.

Welch's civilian and military education includes a High School diploma (2007), and the Military Occupational Specialty 11B: Infantryman qualification course (2007).

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon According to unit records, Brochu enlisted Aug. 19, 2008 at Portland, Maine. He reported to Fort Benning, Ga. for initial entry training on Sept. 5, 2009. Upon graduation, he reported Fort Lewis, Wa. on January 5, 2009, where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. This was his first deployment.

Brochu's military education includes the Military Occupational Specialty 11B: Infantryman qualification course (2008). Information about his civilian education was not annotated in his unit records.

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal.

On behalf of the entire Fort Lewis military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Spc. Welch and Pfc. Brochu.

MICHAEL SWAN: ABOUT 150 SOLDIERS RETURN FROM IRAQ >>>

The Fort Lewis PAO sent out this reminder:

The unit first deployed in April 2003 through March 2004, and established its Headquarters at Forward Operating Base Speicher, in Tikrit, Iraq. There, the "Triple Nickel" served as the headquarters of the Task Force Able, which was comprised of more than 3,000 engineers from the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. Their mission was to assure mobility, force protection, and essential life support to all brigades in their task force area of operation.

The brigade's second deployment was to North Central Iraq October 2005 through October 2006. There, the unit provided mobility, troop construction, training to Iraqi Army engineers, base support, and munitions clearance to their task force throughout all five provinces of Northern Iraq.

J.M. SIMPSON: MEMORIAL SERVICE TODAY FOR FORT LEWIS SOLDIERS >>>

The Fort Lewis community came together at North Fort Chapel this afternoon to remember two heroes.

Sgt. Troy Tom and Pfc Jonathan Yanney were eulogized in a memorial service attended by hundreds of soldiers and friends.

Both soldiers were assigned to 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Tom and Yanney died August 18th of wounds sustained when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device (IED) in Arghandab, Afghanistan.

"The pain of losing two of our own never leaves," said on soldier as he left the chapel.

Photography by J.M. Simpson

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

DDG 1000: on target

Iraq: Forget 'Light' Fighters, we want F-16s!

TRICARE: Some preventive services are now free.

Do It For The Kids: Slow your ass down in school zones.

Iran Backs First Woman Minister: Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi was approved as health minister.

Trichet: Sees bumpy recovery, signals no rush to exit.

Birthday Party: What do you get a fridge that has everything?

Not Army Material

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Afghanistan: Gates may be open to troop increase.

UAVs: Sense-And-Avoid System planned.

North Korea: Uranium program near completion.

Robbing Banks Is Dangerous: Federal Way police officers opened fire on a suspected bank robber.

It's Now A Homicide Investigation: Los Angeles wildfire ruled arson.

Play By Play: Michael Jackson reaches his "final resting place."

MVP: Football star tackles girl with gun on school bus.

This Sucks: Unemployment rate jumps to 26-year high.

Not Army Material

MICHAEL SWAN: OPERATION HOMEFRONT WASHINGTON REMEMBERS 9-11 >>>

On Friday Sept. 11, Operation Homefront will join groups across America to host a Freedom Walk in remembrance of the 9-11 attacks.  The 2-mile Freedom Walk will begin and end at Thea Park in Tacoma. Walkers will start, er, walking at 5 p.m. There is no cost to participate. ?

Pre-register online here.