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Two months ago a group calling itself the Travel Squad began a workout at Thea's Park on Tacoma's Foss Waterway. A few more than a half dozen assault packs, an American flag on a short pole and a log lay on the ground. The small group ran through a number of intensive
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What a delight! Perfect weather - and it can't get any better than it was yesterday - combined with the tradition of delighting and entertaining families from the local area greeted the general public during Joint Base Lewis-McChord's annual Freedom Fest. Held at Cowan and Memorial Stadiums, the festival featured live entertainment,
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Retired Maj. Gen. John Hemphill captured the mood of the moment when he said, "Old soldiers may fade away, but we haven't done that." He made the remark during the 64th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration held on the campus of the State Capitol in Olympia June 21. Often referred to
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Two veterans worked hard to make a difference for other veterans. "We veterans have a unique relationship," explained Army veteran Scot Pondelick. "It's a kind of love that we have." Pondelick and Navy veteran Tito Medina organized the first annual Veterans Resource Fair at the Tacoma Dome's Exhibition Hall June 21. "I knew there
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When it comes to street skateboarding, Torey Pudwill and Joey Brezinski are some of the best on the board with four wheels. Both young men visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord yesterday to autograph posters at the Base Exchange before heading over to the Skate Plaza to work and interact with about 150
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Col. Daniel Walrath captured the moment nicely when he said, "A deployment is still a deployment." About one hundred soldiers assigned to the 4th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th US Cavalry returned home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord yesterday afternoon from a nine-month deployment to South Korea. The unit, generally referred to as the
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Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza understands perfectly well the function of a town hall meeting. "This brings us together," the commander of I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord said this morning. "Members from the business community, academia and local government are here," he said to the nearly 100 listeners. Eagles Pride Golf Course at
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The Lakes High School students sat and listened carefully to Staff Sgt. Ty Carter. A Medal of Honor recipient, Carter talked about his life experiences in pointing out to his young audience the attributes of true character. "I am no different than you," he began. Bringing Carter, who currently serves at Joint Base
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The four plastic yellow jugs with the red tops have fuses running out of them. Leaning next to the jugs was a canister full of nuts and bolts. These were bombs of the homemade variety, and they all had to be defused. "It's going to be a long day for the team that
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Ethan Starr's interest was piqued. "I'm interested in explosive ordinance disposal," he said as his friend, Cody Whitman, helped him into a protective suit. "I think I would like to serve in the Army." One of several thousand visitors, Starr had found the nation's 64th Armed Forces Day celebration at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
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On his Saturday morning walks through Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Memorial Park, Col. Louis Zeisman pauses to honor the base's fallen heroes "My family and I walk through here," the commander of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, recently said. "It's a way to remember, and we treat it as a
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Training for and competing in a triathlon can become habitual. And a lot of fun. Just listen to what one person had to say about Brig. Gen. Kurt Ryan, commander of the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), understanding of such events. "He likes to push people to be their best," commented Maj. Virginia
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Homage. It is a Middle English word that sums up yesterday's run honoring Pat Tillman. A noun, homage means a special honor or respect shown publically. The signature fundraising event of the Pat Tillman Foundation, the run - Pat's Run - is traditionally held in April at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium
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What do you do when you meet a man with straight answers and a crooked nose? You listen. Carefully. "Don't settle for someone else's expectations," Maj. Nate Conkey said as he rested between weight repetitions at the Wilson Sports & Fitness Center early yesterday morning. "Through your efforts you learn what you can
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The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) is ready to deploy to Afghanistan. "We are competent, committed to the mission and persons of character," said Col. Paul Mele, the brigade's commander during a deployment ceremony held this morning at Soldiers Field House. "Why we go to Afghanistan is to support our partners who
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The four military police officers snaked down a darkened hallway before stopping in front of room 203. "JBLM Military Police! Come out with your hands up!" Silence. The four then quickly opened the door and decisively entered the room. A man with a gun appeared. Shots were exchanged; the shooter went down. While one MP kept
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It's great to be appreciated. Hundreds of service members and their spouses turned out March 15 to enjoy a Him & Her Appreciation Day at the Marymount Event Center in Spanaway, hosted by The Ranger and Northwest Airlifter newspapers, and sponsored by USAA. The center is home to part of the LeMay
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Where the dirt road narrowed is where the gunfire on the left began. Quickly recovering from the surprise attack on their three-vehicle convoy, soldiers spilled out of the trucks and returned fire. The woods echoed with the sounds of M4s and an M240B. As the firefight escalated, two soldiers sustained wounds. While one
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The Spartans of ancient Greece would be proud of the "Spartans" of the 595th Military Police Company, 508th Military Police Battalion (Internment/Resettlement) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Tuesday afternoon, the unit - under the command of Capt. Adam Fulton - received for the first time the coveted Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Barr
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The 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division's early morning Holiday Run ended with the presentation of what one individual called the perfect Christmas gift. More than 4,000 soldiers plus a number of city of Puyallup fire fighters and police officers participated in a 4-mile Holiday Run at a 9-minute pace on Joint
