Military Life
In 1949, under President Harry S. Truman, Armed Forces Day was created to signal the unification of all armed services under the Department of Defense. Celebrated the third Saturday in May, Armed Forces Day is a day for all citizens of the United States to come together and thank military
Military Life
Keeping fit and healthy is a family affair, and this month, spouse fitness is in the spotlight as commands all over Naval Base Kitsap join in the 6th annual Military Spouse Command Cup. Throughout the month of May, the ladies and gents who proudly stand behind our service men and women
News Front
Under a heavy gray sky threatening of rain, two special teams squared off on Gordon Field at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds last Saturday for a battle of heroes as men and women representing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines traded in steel-toed boots for soccer cleats for the 2016
News Front
There are a lot of things about military life that are just plain tough for military families. Deployments are hard on military relationships. Changing schools every few years is difficult for military children. Always being the "new kid" wherever you go can take its toll on everyone in the family,
Military Life
Hailey Fort of Bremerton has been caring for the homeless population of Kitsap County for more than four years. She brings them food, toiletries and warm coats, and she's even working on providing shelter to people who don't have a place to stay. In fact, during the past year, she's
News Front
Seattle received a rare treat last Saturday night as hundreds of handsome sailors in dress blues and their spouses, dressed to the nines in an array of flowing gowns, ferried across the Puget Sound to celebrate the 116th PNW Enlisted Submarine Birthday Ball. The Sheraton Seattle overflowed with beautiful couples
Military Life
At a little school just outside the gates of Naval Base Kitsap, a special group of students file into a small office to eat lunch and put the finishing touches on their latest craft project. They've created handmade picture frames and are discussing whether magnets or tape would be the
Military Life
Someone once said, "A house is not a home without a pet," and I tend to agree. Throughout my childhood, my family owned several different dogs and the occasional cat, and over the years we cared for more than our share of rescues and strays. It was almost as if
Military Life
What would you do with an extra $3,000? Pay a few bills? Take a family vacation? When Dawn Shultz, a military spouse formerly of Bremerton, discovered she was the grand prize winner in the Purina Pro Plan Military 9 of 9 Best in Show Sweepstakes, that answer couldn't have been
News Front
I christen thee United States Submarine Washington. May God bless this submarine and all those who sail in her," declared Elisabeth Mabus, at the christening ceremony for the Navy's 14th Virginia-class submarine last Saturday in Newport News, Virginia. Ms. Mabus then smiled and added, "Alright! Stand back!" before striking the
News Front
This Saturday night the Khaki community will come together for one of the biggest fundraisers Naval Base Kitsap will see this year, the 2016 Silver and Gold Charity Auction. Over 350 submarine officers, chiefs and their guests will fill the Bangor Plaza Ballroom, leaving behind uniforms and salutes in favor
News Front
This Saturday, March 5, in Newport News, Virginia, the U.S. Navy will celebrate the time-honored tradition of a ship's christening as USS Washington Sponsor, Elisabeth Mabus, breaks a ceremonial bottle of sparkling American wine across the bow of the USS Washington (SSN 787). In her capacity as Sponsor, Mabus, the
Military Life
From the very first day of boot camp, sailors are told where to be, when to be there, what to wear and how to wear it, and that doesn't change much when they transfer to a school or to their first command. Sailors have a constant resource, a brother and
News Front
The newest addition to the submarine community is currently under construction across the country in Newport News, Virginia, but she already has strong ties to the Pacific Northwest. PCU Washington (SSN 787), named after the state of Washington, will be the next of the Virginia-class submarines to be commissioned and
Military Life
The terms "military spouse" and "volunteer" are almost synonymous. Spouses serve as ombudsmen and take on responsibilities in family readiness groups. They step up in their parent teacher organizations, in groups like Navy Compass, and in positions all around military bases, but they don't do it for pay or for
News Front
Comprised of more than 40,000 members worldwide, the Navy League of the United States is a force to be reckoned with. Serving to educate the public about the importance of strong services, the Navy League provides vital support to servicemembers and their families. The mission of the Navy League is three-fold:
News Front
Robert Frost once wrote, "Good fences make good neighbors," but what if the neighbors involved are military installations and the civilian communities they surround? When the neighborly issues involve community growth and national security, it takes more than just a fence to help these neighbors coexist peacefully. For the past 18
News Front
When asked how important Ombudsmen really are to the Navy, NBK Ombudsman Coordinator Yasmeen Sabir quickly and emphatically replies, "They are imperative. Before the Ombudsman Program was created, there were so many terrible problems within Navy families. Families had no one to go to for help with marital issues, financial
Outdoors
Widely sought after as a relaxing getaway as well as for possible healing properties, natural hot springs are popular vacation destinations worldwide. Hot springs are a natural phenomenon beginning deep underground as fresh water seeps past the heated rocks of the Earth's mantle. When the heated water breaks the surface
Music
It's no secret that music can play a vital role in improving a child's education. Research has shown that learning to play a musical instrument improves academic performance, teaches discipline, and develops physical skills such as rhythm and coordination. Studies have also shown that children who study music demonstrate increased