Heroes & Awards
Larry Geringer's office used to be a small storage closet. On the desk there's a telephone and an older looking computer. In one of the desk drawers are some snacks. In a corner there is a coffee maker on a small counter. Under the counter are a few drawers holding some socks,
Military Life
Oh Canada! Our neighbor to the north celebrated its national holiday yesterday. While Canadians across their country showed pride in their history, culture and achievements, some assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) did so as well at Heritage Hill. "Whenever we move, I bring my country with me," commented Kim Dorion as she
Heroes & Awards
While in high school, Richard Baker made a vow to himself to do everything he could possibly do with his life. It is safe to say the California native has fulfilled his self-promise. "I feel pretty good about myself," Baker said as we sat outside a local café and drank coffee. "I am
Military Life
This morning in Lakewood's Fort Steilacoom Park, 25 orange-shirted zombies showed up to take part in the first Zombie Apocalypse 5K. They looked the part. Simulated blood and gore covered their faces and bodies. "This should be great fun," Marisol Hernandez said as she waited for the run to begin. Sponsored by the
News Front
We hit the wave head-on, and green water and white foam exploded over the bow and cabin of our 25-foot, Defender class boat. I caught a face full of salt water. The M240 gunner in the bow turned and grinned; the boat driver just laughed. I looked up to see four other small
News Front
There's a new brigade in town. "The City of Lakewood is honored and grateful to be connected to 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division - the Lancer Brigade," wrote the city's manager, John Caulfield. His comments underscore the positive history the city has with Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). JBLM's Community Connections
People Rule
The ticket is black and yellow and is two-and-three-eighths inches in length by eleven-sixteenths of an inch wide. Those are the dimensions of the Ranger tab. There are no dimensions to the willingness to face a challenge. Earn the tab and a service member can compete in The 31st Best Ranger Competition. That's the
Military Life
Creating an opportunity to excel is hard work. Spc. Christian Ackerman lives and breathes this idea. "He is an outstanding young soldier who has a great plan for his future," wrote Capt. Joseph Siemandel, his company commander. Ackerman's road to creating opportunity for himself - and his country - begins in July at
News Front
Thick green smoke wafted around and over a soldier as he treated a penetrating chest wound on a simulated casualty. Like a Swiss watch, he worked precisely; standing nearby a grader watched with a watchmaker's eye. One mistake could mean the end of the soldier's goal of earning the Expert Field Medical
People Rule
There was no question in Francisco "Frank" Sarabia's mind about donating his organs. "He believed in doing the right thing," Ashley Antonich, his daughter, wrote in an email. "When it came to organ donation, he believed donating his organs was the right choice for him." One of seven children, Sarabia grew up in
People Rule
Think you're tough? If so, then perhaps you'd consider running an ultra marathon, an event that involves running and walking longer than the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometers. The most common distances are 31 miles (50 kilometers), 50 miles (80 kilometers), 62 miles (100 kilometers) and 100 miles
News
Of the two words "attorney general," it is the word "general" that catches the eye. A general is one who leads individuals, who sets expectations for those individuals and is accountable to those individuals. Bob Ferguson is the attorney general for the state of Washington. And as the state's top lawyer, he
News Front
For the next couple of years, Joint Base Lewis-McChord's future looks good. "Right now, we've been given great resources," Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, I Corps newest commanding general, said yesterday morning during a round table discussion with local media held at Bronson Hall. "The question becomes, where do we go in 2016
News Front
The sound of just over 30 pairs of boots crunching wet gravel surrounded me. The boots belonged to Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. At times, cold rain fell straight down; at other times it slanted with the wind. Our way was marked by
News Front
Purple smoke enveloped Sgt. Robert Kendricks and Spc. Josh Beal as they approached Building 70. Their mission was to move tactically in an urban environment, use grenades to neutralize enemy positions, communicate and clear the building. All the while being watched by experienced soldiers holding stopwatches and clipboards. As the two soldiers worked,
News Front
Chosin Company's Mark Shaw and Keith Roach blew down the ramp of their Stryker, turned hard to their left and began running toward a long berm 75 yards away. Spc. Shaw carried a M240B assault weapon; Spc. Roach carried the weapon's tripod and ammunition - plus his own weapon and ammunition. Both
News Front
The planners of Operation Gryphon Tomahawk deserve an Oscar for the training plans they devised. Since October of last year, these planners put together training scenarios designed to certify the 109th and 502nd Military Intelligence Battalions of the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. Later this year, the 109th will deploy to Afghanistan while
Family
Children from Joint Base Lewis-McChord received quite a salute this past Sunday. The children of local service members don't choose to serve in the military, but they do feel and shoulder many of the sacrifices and burdens that come with their parent's service. Sunday, Feb. 16 was their day to be honored. "This
News Front
Little actions matter, and may they grow to make a large difference. "Small things make a big difference," Gov. Jay Inslee said seconds after signing a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve Friday in the Capitol Building. "By working to make our citizen-soldiers' employment status secure when they are called
People Rule
There is just no gainsaying the impact Joan Shalikashvili has on the local and Joint Base Lewis-McChord area. People who know her say that she is loving, giving, true, honest, caring, focused - just to name a few of the adjectives applied to her. But she won't tell you that. No, she'll
