News Front
When it comes to military readiness, there is no number two. "Readiness is our number one priority, and there is no other number one," Gen. Mark Milley, Army Chief of Staff, wrote in an earlier press release. This attitude resides at the heart of the Associated Unit Program Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
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There is an invisible war after a war. It's the effects of the invisible war that the just published book, Retire the Colors: Veterans and Civilians on Iraq and Afghanistan, presents its readers. The book offers the words, feelings and truths of 19 different voices intimately involved with combat or impacted by
Outdoors
Airsoft is a military simulation sport that brings the warrior out in people. "It sure beats sitting at home and playing Xbox," joked Paul Asetre, the sport's leading advocate in the Puget Sound. Airsoft participants range in age from high school to well past retirement age. "We used Airsoft for training while
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Putting a fly-fishing rod in the doctor's bag is a great step toward recovery. "Fly fishing gets your mind on something pleasant," said retired Marine Corps infantry officer Chuck Tye, the Northwest Regional Coordinator for Project Healing Waters, as he sat at a large table with a number of soldiers assigned
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Ignorance is not bliss - particularly when it comes to the hepatitis C virus. A blood-borne disease discovered in 1989, hepatitis C, or hep C, is just beginning to be noticed, especially among baby boomers, those individuals born between 1945 and 1965. Many baby boomers have been infected for 20 years or
Arts
Photography - the writing with light - comes down to vision. It is the ability to see a final result in your mind's eye, and then to make it so with a camera. Local military have been doing that for years through membership in the Tacoma Photographic Society. "There is a quiet
News Front
In March 1942, Gen. Douglas MacArthur left the Philippines under the cover of darkness for Australia. When he arrived in Adelaide he told reporters, "I came through and I shall return." Wading ashore on Leyte Island in October 1944, he said, "I have returned." Since then, the United States and the Philippines
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Having renter's insurance is like having a parachute. If it's not there when needed, chances are its absence will be felt. Simply put, renter's insurance protects one from the risk of losing property. "Renter's insurance gives you peace of mind," explained Grant Echols, a licensed account manager with the Allstate Insurance Company
Military Life
Boy Scout Caleb Koyn now understands the power of a "good turn." A couple of Saturdays ago, Koyn and fellow Scouts from Steilacoom's Troop 71 gathered at the Cadence Fellowship House (CFH) in Tillicum to help Koyn complete his Eagle Scout Service Project. Maj. Brian Koyn, 7th Infantry Division deputy chaplain, is
News Front
The Collaborating for Economic Reintegration of Troops (CERT) Act is designed to equalize military training and civilian licenses or certifications for skilled careers as one in the same. "The act would establish a commission to develop new, uniform licensing and certification standards for high-demand occupations," read a Sept. 29 press release
News Front
Team. That's the one word Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza used when asked to describe the just ended Association of the United States Army's annual meeting. "Team," said the commander of I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The AUSA 2006 Annual Meeting and Exposition took place from the 3rd through the 5th this week at
News Front
Soldiers measure themselves by the seven values of loyalty, duty, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Each of these values focuses the actions of soldiers. One of those values is integrity, a word that demands the doing of what is right in a legal and moral sense. Every so often integrity becomes
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The Community Alternatives for People with Autism, or CAPA, and Keystone Employment Services work to build tolerance and understanding of autistic and other challenged individuals. "We are one agency working to improve the lives of those we serve," emphasized Deborah Vaughan, Keystone's program director. "Absolutely," added Johanna Reed-Werner, CAPA's executive director. "Our
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The United Service Organizations (USO) is all about pitching in and helping servicemembers and their families. In other words, the USO is a helping hand. "The USO Northwest established the Helping Hands Program to help provide our servicemembers and their families stationed in the Pacific Northwest with the opportunity to spend time
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The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County is a happy place. "The Humane Society is a happy place for families to find lost pets, adopt a new furry child or find resources for the pets they already own and love," wrote Kathleen Olson, the society's executive director. The Humane Society is
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The generosity of strangers is staggering. "Our families are consistently amazed at the generosity of strangers that provide this wonderful home for them," wrote Jodi Land, the business manager of the two Fisher Houses on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "The Fisher Houses are all about comforting; about providing a place that offers a
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At Catholic Community Service of Western Washington, the values of compassion, diversity, excellence of service, justice and stewardship live and breathe. So, too, is the value of flexibility. Money received from the federal government is restrictive; there are ways in which it can and cannot be used. On the other hand, money
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"Will you be there?" A little girl asked that question of Caroline Stein 16 years ago. She stayed and offered the child moral support. Since that day, the Sponsorship and Special Projects Director for the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair (WSSEF), Stein has been "there" for students representing grades 1-12. Every youngster at
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Dental care is an excellent way to provide for one's future overall health. The research is clear that poor oral health plays a contributing factor in the potential development of diabetes, heart disease, pneumonia and pregnancy complications. To meet this challenge, the Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children (LDCC) has since 1936 been
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Leslie Burger said he has a big soapbox from which to speak. "There is an incredible need to support servicemembers and their families, active and retired, with health-related needs," the retired Army doctor, past Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) commander, general officer and past president of the Madigan Foundation said. "There