News Articles
"Every Army cadet must show up here, be evaluated and show they have the command capability to lead American soldiers," said Jeremy O'Bryan, a public affairs officer for the 8th Brigade, U.S. Army Cadet Command. Formally known as the Leader Development and Assessment Course, or LDAC, and commonly referred to as
Veterans
The Garfield Barracks at the Washington Soldiers Home near Orting is an eye-catcher. In 1891, the State of Washington built for Union veterans of the Civil War the home in a place of peace and beauty. Time has taken its toll, and the home is in need of community support. There now exists
Focus
The word professional defines the soldiers who serve in the I Corps Command Honor Guard. "We are the professional representation of the Army," said Sgt. Alex Silva as he sat in the guard's ready room next to a cabinet containing highly shined belt buckles. "We are what the public sees." The measured
Focus
Seven score and nine years separate Spc. Aaron Aamot and his great, great, great grandfather, Horace Hinds. Assigned to 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Aamot died outside of Jelewar, Afghanistan in November 2009 when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Before enlisting in 2006
Focus
The 4th Airlift Squadron has reason to stand tall and smile broadly. The oldest active airlift squadron in the Air Force, the unit is preparing to celebrate its 75th birthday. "We're looking forward to this event," wrote Senior Master Sgt. Keith Schnug in an e-mail. The party will begin at 1 p.m.
Focus
The Army faces a fast paced operations tempo that demands the best of its leaders. Developing the best among noncommissioned officers, or NCOs, begins with attending and completing the Warrior Leader Course, or WLC. The 15-day course hones leadership, training and war fighting skills. The training during WLC promotes leading from
Veterans
Memorial Day reminds Americans of the death of their fellow countrymen and women during wartime. The year, the day will be celebrated on May 31. "Memorial Day is very important to those of us who served in combat and may have lost a friend," wrote veteran Larry Heires in an e-mail. Officially proclaimed
Focus
Cadet Airman William Smith sat straight in the chair, looked straight ahead and said, "Joining the Civil Air Patrol looked like fun." He wasn't kidding. A member of the McChord Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Smith is a 6th grader who is looking forward to six glider flights next
Focus
Patti Holloway does not wear an Air Force uniform. However, she exhibits an enormous amount of support and affection for the 2,400 service members assigned to the 446th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord McChord Field. "I am part of the glue which helps to hold the wing together," she commented. "And
Focus
The picture said it all. Hanging in a hallway next to a conference room in the Western Air Defense Sector facility, the painting depicts the April 19, 1775, skirmish between colonial and British troops just outside of Lexington. The encounter marked the beginning of America's quest to achieve and hold its
Operation Family Support
They are all volunteers. Kristi King prepared care packages; Gina Luplow poured hot coffee; Barbara Thompson talked to soldiers; Kathy Marzolf greeted every soldier who walked in the door at the USO building at McChord Field; Freddie Ellis straightened boxes of cookies. And then there is Ella Young, a woman who has
Focus
Spc. Jonathan Castillo grabbed the Scotch broom plant and pulled. It didn't move. Undeterred, he tugged harder, and this time the plant exploded out of the ground, showering the area with dirt. "That's done," said Castillo as he began to cut through a tangle of Himalayan blackberries. "But there's a lot
Military Life
The C-17 Globemaster III's impressive size was easily matched by the awe and wonder of more than 100 Cub Scouts during a March 20 visit to the JBLM-McChord Field flight line. "You could see the awe in their eyes," said Carla Bench, the cubmaster of Pack 552 from Puyallup. "Everything about
Focus
Would you like the opportunity to test ride an All Terrain Vehicle, or ATV, this weekend? If so, show up at the Off Road Vehicle, or ORV, park on JBLM - Lewis Main on Saturday, April 17. And make the dirt fly. Billed as Demo Day, this first annual event will run from
Focus
Lt. Col. Bill Franklin likes being the host of a really great party. "It's fun; it's the one time of the year that we get to step back from our job," he said of a party he's planning. On April 30 he and his fellow Canadian Air Force servicemembers will host the
Focus
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) offers students and soldiers the opportunity to serve in the Army. "Everyone's path is unique," said Capt. Travis Delker, the scholarship and enrollment officer for the ROTC program at the university. "There is a way to become an officer; you
Operation Family Support
"When you lose one life, you have to begin another life," said Norma Melo.For Melo, those words go a long way toward summing up how she views the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS. Melo's husband - Staff Sgt. Julian Melo - was one of six soldiers from the
Veterans
A retired Air Force officer has a retired Army officer to thank for his becoming politically involved. "I was sitting in a fireworks booth with retired Army Maj. Gen. John Hemphill when he told me I should run for a position on the school board," recalled Dick Muri."He said I had
Choice Events
One of the programs the American Legion takes a great deal of pride in is its Evergreen Boys State program. "The value of this program is that attendees gain an understanding from the inside on how Washington State government is supposed to work," wrote coordinator Bob Schwartz in an email. "The attendees
Military Life
Work on the town center at the heart of Joint Base Lewis-McChord Main is well on the road to completion. "We've got 13 neighborhoods to plan for, renovate or redevelop," said Boyd Lucas, Equity Residential's vice president for construction management. "The focus is on quality housing." One of those focus points is
