News Articles
In December, Brig. Gen. Wally Turner assumed the post of Assistant Adjutant General-Army for the Washington National Guard, a position that has been vacant since July when Maj. Gen. Bret Daugherty was appointed to the post of Adjutant General. "This past month has been a good time to assess the operation
Schools
Whether or not a military family lives on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, its children can potentially attend school on the base, as long as certain requirements are met and the correct paperwork is filed. "Generally, requests are approved, unless there is no room or extenuating circumstances," said Holly Shaffer, Clover Park School
Jobs
At 29.1 percent the unemployment rate among young veterans is nearly double the unemployment rate for non-veterans of the same age. In Washington alone, there are reportedly 37,000 unemployed veterans. Two Joint Base Lewis-McChord spouses, Nichole Ayres and Tessa Davis, have taken notice of this alarming trend and are working
Health
"I have no siblings and a part of me is glad because I wouldn't wish my experience on anyone," admitted Christal Presley. On Nov. 1, Presley, who has her PhD in education, released a personal and provocative memoir entitled Thirty Days with My Father: Finding Peace from Wartime PTSD. When her father
Resources
Healing can be a family affair. "A lot of the things you see for the wounded warriors returning home are just for the warrior, or it is something recreational like a vacation ... but this is more about the entire family's rehabilitation, which is why it is different," said Brittney Linville,
Business News
America's Credit Union (ACU) presented a $30,000 check to three on-base charities this week that will directly impact families on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The monies were raised during ACU's 12th Annual Holiday Troop Support Golf Tournament, or Turkey Shoot, held earlier this month. "Soldiers do their jobs 24 hours a day,
Support
A glimpse into someone else's life can often be enlightening, but, unfortunately, sometimes it can also be alarming. Blind Devotion, Survival of the Front Lines of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction, a memoir by Sharlene Prinsen, catalogs Prinsen's own harrowing experience dealing with husband Sean's struggles with PTSD and addiction
Veterans
"I got a call from the Family Programs Office on Camp Murray and they said they needed a place to store all of these turkeys," explained retired Air Force Master Sgt. Elmer Clark, VFW Commander for Post 91 in Tacoma and District 3. "They also needed some help collecting the
Health
It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of wounded warriors, but back pain is a prevalent problem that actually leads to a large number of evacuations from downrange. Specifically, musculoskeletal pain and spine pain syndromes are the most common cause, accounting for between
Military Life
The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Holiday Bazaar, as organized and hosted by the Lewis Community Spouses' Club (LCSC), is back and bigger than ever before. Despite not holding the bazaar last year due to the club's reorganization, vendors have been clamoring to reserve their spots for the two-day event, which kicks
Veterans
"Am I dreaming?" This is often the question asked of Gina Elise, who is, of course, dolled-up in costume to retro pinup standards, when she visits veterans at Veterans Affairs hospitals around the country. Although she has visited 38 different VA hospitals in 24 states so far - including a trip
Military Resources
The Red Cross is one of the first places Servicemembers and their families turn in the event of an emergency. "We'd like everyone to be educated about the Red Cross messaging system and how it works since if they must use it, it is usually in a time of stress," said
Business News
Everyone in the military knows what the phrase main gate means - it's the first and foremost entrance to an installation. So by naming a company Maingate Promos, the hope is to become the first stop for military. "Coinforce has grown to the point to where we needed to start another
Resources
Sometimes it is hard to access help or even ask for it, especially when it comes to matters like PTSD and post-deployment reintegration. Luckily, Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare in Lakewood is trying to help those individuals by distributing free copies of the book At Ease, Soldier! How to Leave the
Schools
Students entering area high schools this year might want to consider adding a class that teaches citizenry, accountability, teamwork and discipline and can also serve to help students avoid peer pressure - not to mention it looks amazing on a college application or resume. The powerful class in question? The Junior
Focus
They say that any day fishing is better than a day at the office. Two Soldiers in the 17th Fires Brigade who were treated to an all-inclusive day of fly fishing on Aug. 10 can attest to that. In an effort to honor Maj. Harry Sherwood, who served as the brigade's
Business News
Are you a big Major League Soccer fan, particularly when it comes to the Seattle Sounders FC? Do you want a limited edition piece of memorabilia for your collection plus a chance to get some free gas? Then get ready to make a donation for a good cause on Saturday,
Health
Shedding those extra pounds can be beyond stressful, and often, asking for help can only add to that stress. "I want to be clear, I don't judge," said 1st Lt. Paula Beer, Outpatient Nutrition Clinic chief at Madigan Healthcare System. "I eat cake, too. I like to talk about why they
Schools
In a summer marked with athletes, medals and matches, it's nice to know that local students are following suit. Last week, Clover Park High School's own Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps drill teams made a lasting impression when they swept multiple events at a national competition. Although the Clover
Education
All parents are looking to give their kids an edge in the world, some sort of advantage to ensure that they succeed. Luckily for this community, many local fifth-graders will begin getting that chance. On July 20, the Washington Air National Guard officially opened a new chapter of the program, the
