Veterans
I feel privileged that I can be part of something so much bigger," said Vicky Mohler, Puyallup resident and longtime fixture on the local scene of supporting servicemembers. Her connection to the military comes from both her father's 29-year career in the Air Force and the fact that her daughter,
Education
Last month, Rep. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico proposed amending Title 38, Chapter 33 of the United States Code, which details the benefits of the of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Currently, the Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days
Focus
Every soldier was excited to come home this past summer, but for one young officer, redeployment meant actually getting a home - even if it was one he'd never seen in person before. Prior to his deployment in May with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Lt. Steven Whitham served
Focus
On Oct. 13, the 62nd Medical Brigade on Joint Base Lewis-McChord hosted an induction ceremony for 31 new non-commissioned officers. The ceremony, which has been a cornerstone of the Army's enlisted for years, was part of the brigade's ‘Day of the NCO', which also included professional development sessions and a dinner
News Articles
On Friday, October 1, Col. David E. Funk, commander of the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, relinquished his command to Col. Charles R. Webster, Jr. Funk, who had been in command for close to three years, returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord with his troops this past August after a 12-month deployment
Military Life
Five years ago, the military decided to host its own version of a popular reality show where people compete in a singing competition (I'm sure you know the one) and to call it Operation Rising Star. Contestants must be 18 years or older and either be an active duty service
Veterans
"Everything is happening all at once," said retired Command Sgt. Maj. Herb Schmeling, volunteer extraordinaire. "It is both humbling and slightly embarrassing. I am used to being behind the scenes, making things happen for other people." It all started when retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmie Spencer, director of Noncommissioned Officers and
Veterans
Retired Air Force Maj. Larry Geringer jokes that he spent 26 years in the Air Force, then 26 years at Boeing, and now he is starting what he hopes will be 26 years helping the homeless. "I decided that this wasn't something I could do sitting at home," said Geringer. After reading
Focus
Roberta Ladd, 38, said that she's always had an "eye for detail and liked organizing," so much so that her family used to tease her about it. For years, Ladd worked in accounting and HR, just using her organizational talents on the side to help friends and the occasional referral
Operation Family Support
This weekend the Quilts of Valor Foundation will host its third annual See & Sew event at VFW Hall of Post 91, located at 2000 S. Union Ave., in Tacoma. The event - held Sept. 10-12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - is open to the public and will
Operation Family Support
Sometimes even nonprofits have to reevaluate how they do business to better serve the people they're helping. Recently, Operation Homefront and Soldiers' Angels announced that they would be streamlining their respective programs to work together. Under the new partnership, Operation Homefront will refer wounded service members to Soldiers' Angels for communication
Business News
The president and CEO of America's Credit Union, Ken Leonard, has a good business habit: He strives to be proactive rather than reactive. Recently, ACU announced the acquisition of a 54,000-square-foot commercial office building in DuPont, which was formerly known as the Venture Bank building. "Initially, we were just looking for the
Resources
For many people, fostering pets might seem overwhelming on both an emotional and financial level. It also might seem like something that happens with pets that are abandoned or left at a shelter; while that may be true, there is another segment of the pet population needing fostering volunteers: the
Veterans
"Despite what has been reported, the overall employment situation for all veterans is better than for non-veterans," said Ted Daywalt, president and CEO of VetJobs.com. "Yet, there are areas we should be concerned about." Though the definition of a veteran can vary, it typically means having served even one day in
Focus
Some people are just artistic. They can learn to paint or draw or sculpt with little instruction, and at the end of the day, they are talented at whatever medium they choose. Paloma Montoya Huerta is one of those people. "I just started on my own," said Huerta, who lives in DuPont
News Articles
During a ceremony Aug. 20 on Joint Base Lewis-McChord North, the B Company 51st Signal Battalion cased their colors in preparation for their imminent deployment. Last August the entire battalion redeployed from Iraq and now, almost one year later to the day, the unit's B Company will be leaving for Afghanistan.
Military Life
"The entire point is to meet new moms and wives and moms that are new to the military," explained Lyndsy Deskins, who is married to Spc. Robert Deskins. "It is good - necessary even - to have people who understand what you're going through." Deskins is an assistant organizer for a
Business News
The term "portable career" is often thrown around within military circles with reference to the ideal occupations for spouses. Arranging days at the office around deployments, the needs of the kids' and the general chaos that sometimes comes as part of the military lifestyle can make finding a job difficult.
Veterans
In a local Starbucks it is quickly apparent that longtime resident Larry Saunders is well connected to the city of Lakewood. Within the space of five minutes, two different people approach him wanting to say hello and chat. He graciously takes the time for both, since that is not only
Military Life
This year to mark Independence Day the city of DuPont combined its normal celebration with an operation called We Love Our Military. The event, which has been held earlier in the summer for the past few years, is intended to show the military at neighboring Joint Base Lewis-McChord as well