A public-television documentary, "In Their Boots," which begins airing at 12:30 a.m. Friday on KCTS, will feature the story of one Tacoma woman.

The Seattle Times has more on the series here. 

Walking into a high school for the first time would jangle the nerves of most people. However, coming to a school where you have no friends and have no clue how to find your classes could be downright panic-inducing.

The Student to Student (S2S) program at Steilacoom High School offers a helping hand and friendly face for new students from military families.

"This year started out hectic," Craig Miller, teacher and program sponsor, said. "We had 100 new students we didn't expect."

The S2S team rose to the challenge and helped acclimate incoming teens without fail, he said.

The program was created by the Military Child Education Coalition to meet transitioning student needs.

Miller has the highest praise for his team of student volunteers.

"A lot of them are doing it because they enjoy what they're doing," Miller said.

Many S2S volunteers have experience with the program as incoming new students who receive help, he said.

Every year, students line up to volunteer. Miller said he has received as many as 65 applications from students who wish to help.

"I get to choose from the best of the best," Miller said. "There are a lot of kids that I have to say no to."

MCEC paid for volunteer training and provides guidance with planning support for incoming students, he said.

"They're encouraging schools to get involved," Miller said.

The program encompasses more than 170 schools across the nation and overseas.

Steilacoom High School's S2S kicked off in March 2006, he said.

"It was a huge success," Miller said. "They worked with 130 students that year."

The program centers on three core components of support, he said.

"Finding the way, academics and - this one is the key - relationships," Miller said. "Being with them and developing a connection is key to integrating into the school."

Program volunteers make sure new students are not left to their own devices and always have someone to turn to when needed, he said.

"They help them find their classes," Miller said. "We make sure that new students aren't off, sitting by themselves at lunch time."

The inclusion helps set the teens up for success, he said.

Miller's team recently partnered with Mann Middle School to help their S2S program get off the ground. Sales from a cookbook compiled by students, faculty and families will help generate funds in support of both programs, he said.

Additional funding from MCEC, Kiwanis Club and JBLM Lewis Main Thrift Store pays for operation, training and special events, Miller said.

Volunteer Aaron Bailey, 16, remembers his first days at Steilacoom High School when his family was first stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"As soon as I came here, they helped me find my way around - helped me adjust a lot," Bailey said.

Not feeling like an outsider helped Bailey fit in, he said.

"They gave me a lot of info and made me one of their own," Bailey said.

His positive experience helped foster a desire to repay the kindness shown him by S2S, he said.

"It made a big difference," Bailey said. "I wanted to be a part of that."

This story here is a reminder that the struggles of war take place on both sides of the ocean.

They might be small in stature, but the hearts of Daisy Troop No. 40675 far exceed their height.

More than a dozen girls from Joint Base Lewis-McChord delivered a Valentine's Day surprise on Feb.11, to residents at Patriots Landing, a retirement community in DuPont.

Comprised of kindergarteners and first-graders, the Daisies spent an afternoon chatting and mingling with an elder generation - many of whom were in wheelchairs and suffered from dementia.

Sandra Metz, Daisy Troop leader, said the purpose of the visit was multifaceted. Not only did the girls earn new patches for their vests, but more important, it was an opportunity for them to reach out to a sector of the community that others often forget.

"I think the whole thing about Daisies and Girl Scouts is they make a difference in their communities," Metz said. "It's not just about selling cookies or learning cute songs and those kinds of things. It's about making a difference, and this is a way to do it."

The girls started off by coloring Valentines alongside residents, whose smiles and laughter clearly showed Metz's intentions were fulfilled.

Mary Bierma was one of several residents who spent time talking with the Daisies while coloring Valentine pictures. Bierma said she was surprised by their visit and amazed by how well behaved they were.

"We had a lovely afternoon with them," she said.

Tricia Lawrence's daughters, Ashley and Taylor, are in their second year of Daisies. She hopes their experience at Patriots Landing is just one of many that will teach them the value in giving back to the community while learning to be compassionate of others.

"Sometimes, young kids are scared of the elderly, so it helps to be able to do stuff like this," Lawrence said. "I think this helps teach them to be tolerant in the real world ... to take extra care and know that (the elderly) are approachable."

Bierma agreed.

"They get an idea of what adults are like, and it's fun for them to get around and see other people other ages," Bierma said.

To prepare the Daisies, Metz read a book to them explaining dementia and Alzheimer's disease prior to their visit.

"I read them a story about how some people lose their memory, and one of the girls said, ‘Oh, you know what? I forgot to tie my shoes, so I can understand that!'" Metz said.

The troop also learned a song and dance, which they performed for the residents after decorating Valentine's Day cookies.

Like the other moms who accompanied their daughters, Lawrence said she hopes their visit lifted the residents' spirits.

"Kids bring joy ... They have so much life and energy," Lawrence said. "I just hope this really brightens (the residents') day."

Samantha Tworoger, whose daughter is in the troop, said her wish is that the visit eased any bouts of loneliness some of the residents might have been experiencing.

"My mom used to work in a nursing home, so I know that a lot of elderly people don't have family that come and see them," Tworoger said.

"I just hope it really improved their day and helped them have a good Valentine's Day," Metz said.

Judging by the grins on the residents' faces, it's safe to say the Daisies' mission was accomplished.

"I really enjoyed it," Bierma said. "We would like for them to come again."

The results of a study reveal that Army adolescents, contrary to what many believed, are much more self-aware and resilient.

Click HERE for the study.

Click here for information on the DoD's new site for parents.

For those who are feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of filing their taxes, help is right around the corner.

Army Reserve Maj. Stephen Funderburk, who is heading up the Fort Lewis Tax Center, said his staff is ready to dive into tax season and offer free help.

"Our tax center offers free federal and state tax preparation services to Soldiers, dependents and retirees," Funderburk said.

The Fort Lewis Tax Center is run by the Army JAG Corps and is its top legal assistance program with regard to the number of people who receive services, he said.

When it opens Wednesday, the center will provide services from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Our center is staffed by 15 IRS certified tax preparers, all local Soldiers and two Army DA civilians, who volunteered to complete the training and are looking forward to helping other Soldiers with their taxes," Funderburk said.

The tax preparation services should be a benefit to nearly everyone who comes through the door, he said.

"We are governed by both IRS and Army regulations, which is another way of saying that we can't help everybody, but I feel we can help most people who need tax preparation assistance," Funderburk said. "We are an approved IRS e-file Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site, so the vast majority of returns will be electronically filed as soon as they are prepared and approved by the taxpayer."

Filers need to bring their bank direct-deposit information - account and routing numbers - to use the services, he said.

"The e-file system considerably speeds up the receipt of any refunds that may be coming their way," Funderburk said.

People needing assistance should bring their military IDs and Social Security cards for all persons who will be listed on the returns, including dependents.

"We also need a legible copy of the W-2, and any interest income forms they receive from their banks or other financial institutions, such as 1099 and 1098 forms," he said.

Bank information, including income statements and direct deposit information, are important to have handy, Funderburk said.

Also filers should have a record of child care expenses, medical expenses, charitable contributions, any real estate transaction information, divorce records and last year's federal and state tax return, he said.

Being prepared and knowing what to bring will help ease the process, Funderburk said.

Some circumstances will receive special consideration.

In general, Soldiers who are deployed during the tax season have an additional 180 days after they return stateside to file their taxes, so they need not worry while downrange about getting their taxes filed, he said.

"However, any spouse who wants to get their family's taxes done even while their wife or husband is deployed, and has a power of attorney governing tax preparation, can certainly come in and get their taxes done," Funderburk said.

Captain Justin Lonergan said the Tax Office on McChord Air Force Base offers mostly similar services. McChord's Tax Center will also kick off operations Jan. 20.

Lonergan said this year the office is focusing on getting junior enlisted Soldiers to take advantage of the service.

"One thing we've been focusing on is capturing junior Airmen and Soldiers," Lonergan said.

The number of civilian and military personnel manning the center will vary, he said.

"It's really going to be demand based," Lonergan said.

The center's staff is prepared to assist Airmen with a full range of tax-related issues, he said.

"We have a few layers to our tax center," Lonergan said. "The most important part is just making sure they've brought everything."

Those personnel who have questions about how a deployment might affect filing their taxes can find answers close at hand, he said.

"If somebody has that situation, they should contact legal," Lonergan said.

Where to go for tax assistance

• The McChord Tax Center is located at building 100 in Room 3007 on the third floor.
• Fort Lewis Tax Center, located at the corner of Tacoma Avenue and 41st Division Drive, will open Wednesday.
• To contact the Fort Lewis Tax Office, call 967-1040.

It may come as no surprise that during a deployment, depression rears its ugly head in the families left to tend the home fires.  Follow the study here.

Lakes High School senior defensive end Sione Potoa'e, who we profiled a couple months ago in the Ranger, is hard at work preparing for Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

He talks about the game and his preparation here.

The game can be seen on KING 5 at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Enjoy this video of kids of Fort Lewis and McChord service members ringing in the New Year today with a cold plunge into American Lake.