The Washington Post reports Obama will increase the troop strength in Afghanistan.

Imagine the horror...

Excerpt from AP:

A Minnesota woman is suing the federal government after a letter she mailed to her son in Iraq was returned with the word "deceased" stamped on the envelope, even though the soldier is alive.    

Here's a holiday story about a man from Montana coming to Fort Lewis as Santa to spread some holiday joy.

EXCERPT: For the past 35 years, the Malta man has spent his Decembers decked out in a Santa suit, granting Christmas wishes to kids young and old.

But this year, Degel decided to forgo the bigger paycheck provided by malls in California, Texas and Illinois - to name a few offers - to instead visit schools and soldiers at Fort Lewis, Wash.

"I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot more," Degel said.

Check out the girls' blog here.

Looking for stories on Fort Lewis Stryker brigades.  Here's a few posted from the recent week:

4th Brigade's Chaplain Assistant Jacob Barbe

4th Brigade Docs

2Lt James Johnson home on leave from Afghanistan

Raider Thanksgiving Photos

The Seattle Times has a piece on double-amputee Dan Berschinski's return to West Point.

The Department of Defense announced today the death Pfc. Derrick D. Gwaltney, 21, of Cape Coral, Fla., who died Nov. 29 south of Basra, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.

According to unit records, Gwaltney enlisted July 22, 2008 at Tampa, Fla., and reported to Fort Jackson, S.C., for basic training. On October 6, 2008 he reported to Fort Lee, Virgina, for Advanced Individual Training in Military Occupational Specialty 92G: Food Service Specialist. He reported to Fort Lewis on January 3, 2009, and was assigned to 17th Fires Brigade. The brigade deployed to Iraq in July, 2009. This was his first deployment.

Bates civilian and military education includes a General Equivalency Diploma (2001) and the 92G: Food Service Specialist Qualification Course(2009).

His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

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

Package made from the B-roll "Learning the Terrain" about a new ISAF force learning both the geographical and human terrain in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan by traveling great distances in order to connect with local people. Produced by Ruth Owen.    

An exercise involving Japanese Defense Forces and the 42nd ID from New York will bring a handful of troops here to support the operation in Japan.  The story is here.

Fort Lewis, Wa. - Two 593rd Sustainment Brigade units are expected to
return from Iraq on Friday, December 4. About 175 Soldiers from the 9th
Finance and 21st Transportations companies are expected to be reunited
with their families at a ceremony currently scheduled for approximately
8 p.m. Friday evening at the Wilson Sports and Fitness Center on North
Fort Lewis.
The 9th Finance Company deployed to Camp Victory, Iraq in December,
2009. Soldiers from the unit disbursed approximately $20 Million in
military pay and payments to commercial vendors Camp Victory and several
Forward Operating Bases during their 12-month deployment.
The 21st Transportation Company deployed Soldiers to conduct shipping
and receiving operations at several Forward Operating Bases throughout
Iraq during their 12-month deployment. Unit personnel conducted convoys,
loaded and unloaded military equipment and supplies, and managed
shipping container operations at each base.