Noteworthies with a Local Link

The chief of staff, Army announced the assignment of Brig. Gen. Robert J. Ulses, deputy commanding general (support), 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, to deputy chief of staff, G-3/5/7, Army Training and Doctrine Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Massing of the Colors 2016

The Massing of the Colors is a patriotic ceremony honoring those who have served in the United States of America and honoring the youth of today who carry on the patriotic tradition.

The world-class I Corps Army Band, which creates bonds between the United States Army and the Pacific Northwest community, will be playing their inspiring selection of music celebrating George Washington, our first patriot in the long line of patriots who have served our country well.

Massing of the Colors began in 1919 by military officers who served in the Great War (World War I/WW I).  In 1923, the Military Order of the World War assumed responsibility for the Massing of the Colors nationwide and still has the responsibility across the nation.

Attendance is free to the public.

Youth and adult organizations can participate by contacting Col. Carroll Dickson by Feb. 12. 2106.

SSMCP Announces New Program Manager

The new South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP) Program Manager is William (Bill) Adamson. Bill recently retired as a colonel after 30 years in the United States Army. He and his family are happy to return to the South Sound after two previous duty assignments at (then) Fort Lewis.

Freedom Award Nominations URL

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The president (as Commander in Chief) has made the following nominations:

Air Force Col. Charles S. Corcoran has been nominated for appointment to the grade of brigadier general.  Corcoran is currently serving as commander, 3rd Wing, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Air Force Col. Michael P. Winkler has been nominated for appointment to the grade of brigadier general.  Winkler is currently serving as commander, 354th Fighter Wing, Pacific Air Forces, Eielson, Air Force Base, Alaska.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced today that the president has nominated Air Force Col. Tyler D. Otten has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Otten is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander, 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

SSG Leo Gruba Named 37th Anderson Military Citizen Awardee

(l to r) Serena Gruba, SSG Leo Gruba and Amber Young, ACU

The recipient of the John Anderson Award for Military Citizen of the Year is Staff Sergeant Leo Gruba.

SSG Gruba’s efforts are focused on different fronts. In 2014, he was selected by his command to participate in a PBS two-hour special, which allowed the audience to see the inside of the file of a military member.  He and his family allowed cameras and strangers into their personal lives to record the joys, tears and challenges that define military families everywhere.

SSG Gruba is a member of American Legion Post 53 in DuPont.  These last two years, he helped with their annual scholarship program for soldiers, valued at thousands of dollars.

As a member of the Association of the United States Army, SSG Gruba worked an estimated 60 hours for Operation Turkey Drop and Ham Grenade for donated gifts during the holidays to active, Guard and Reserve families.

SSG Gruba also devoted an estimated 100 hours for time and mentorship at Clhoe Clark Elementary PTA where he serves as Vice President. He is responsible for fundraisers and school events for students and families.

He volunteers time at the Fisher House, which provides a “home away from home” for families with patients at Madigan Army Medical Center.  Similarly, he is the liaison  between his command and the Family Readiness Group, geared toward strengthening the Army Family Concept.

As a member of the DuPont Historical Society, he volunteered about 60 hours to plan the movement of the Society’s property from JBLM to the museum.

And, he is the Wolf Den Leader of pack 472, Boy Scouts of American, volunteering abut 100 hours.

He belongs to the Patriots Athletic League, volunteering as machine pitch and tee ball coach; as a Lion’s Club member he has worked on several projects in DuPont, including their I-5 “Adopt a Highway” clean-up project.

This past summer, SSG Gruba worked with DuPont businesses to collect and distribute comfort items to firefighters and National Guardsmen assisting in the complex wildfires throughout Washington.

Currently, he is working with the American Legion to organize a “Veterans Walk” this December in DuPont.

SSG Gruba is an excellent selection for the John H. Anderson Military-Citizen of the Year Award.  The many hours he has donated to our community will be appreciated for years to come.

About the Award

The Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber's presentation of the John H. Anderson Military Citizen of the Year Award to the outstanding military was begun to commemorate the civic contributions by our resident military personnel. 

About John H. Anderson

John H. Anderson served as Tacoma’s mayor in the early to mid-1950s. He was also a past Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board of Directors, as well as a successful local businessman.  

About the Award Sponsor

America’s Credit Union has been serving the military here at Joint base Lewis McChord (JBLM) since 1954; ACU has been active in creating a community that is aware of soldiers needs and able to serve our military who give so much for all of us. The Award was presented by Amber Young, ACU.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The chief of staff, Army announced the assignment of Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Tempel Jr., commanding general, Western Regional Medical Command; market manager, Puget Sound Enhanced Multi-Service Market; and chief, U.S. Army Dental Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, to commanding general, Regional Health Command, Central – Provisional; market manager, San Antonio Health System; and chief, U.S. Army Dental Corps, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

Veterans Day Rememberance

"We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years ... and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and we have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury them in, and otherwise we have returned home to seek our own, you know, to seek our own lives in peace, to live our own lives in peace..." Secretary of State Colin Powell, 2003

Celebrate Nat'l Vet Small Business Week

Join the conversation at #MyVetBiz to share veteran stories, encourage community members to highlight local veteran-owned businesses in their community, and show gratitude and support to veterans and their families.

Camo2Commerce Top 3-Finalist for National Award

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced that Camo2Commerce is one of three finalists for the 5th Annual Hiring Our Heroes Capital One Award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment.

Camo2Commerce is among 21 finalists nominated for six awards because of demonstrated efforts to connect veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities both within the company and throughout the private sector.

“Camo2Commerce has been a true small business leader in the movement to hire and support our nation’s veterans and military spouses,” said Eric Eversole, a vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and president of Hiring Our Heroes.

Camo2Commerce understands the value in hiring the men and women who have served our country and has dedicated extraordinary efforts toward improving the lives of America’s veterans and military spouses.”

The Hiring Our Heroes awards are given in six categories: Veteran and Military Spouse Employment; Post-9/11 Veteran Employment; Wounded Veteran and Military Caregiver Employment; Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring; Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment; and Individual Leadership.


This year’s finalists are:

• Capital One Award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment, for demonstrated leadership by a small business or organization (less than 500 employees) in hiring veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses: Afterburner Inc.; Camo2Commerce; Greencastle Associates Consulting
• Lee Anderson Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award, for overall excellence in hiring and retaining veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses: Comcast NBCUniversal; Hospital Corporation of America (HCA); Union Pacific Railroad
• Steve Robinson Post-9/11 Veteran Employment Award, for effective and sustained efforts to enhance the ability of post-9/11 veterans and transitioning service members to find meaningful employment: Hilton Worldwide; J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.; PNC Bank; Roush Enterprises; Starbucks
• Don Weber Wounded Veteran and Military Caregiver Employment Award, for demonstrated leadership in addressing the unique challenges and demands for wounded, ill, and injured veterans as well as military caregivers in their search for meaningful employment: APi Group Inc.; Ryder Systems; SunTrust Bank
• Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring Award, for demonstrated hiring, mentorship, and support of military spouses in their search for meaningful employment: First Command Financial Services; Prudential Financial; United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
• Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment, for an individual who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in employment opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, and spouses: Mike Kelly, Assistant Vice President for Military Advocacy, USAA; Keith Nattrass, GM Military & Veteran Affairs, Global Diversity, General Motors; Blayne Smith, Executive Director, Team Red, White & Blue; Kris Urbauer, Program Manager for Military Recruiting, General Electric.

The Hiring Our Heroes Awards Committee will select the winners, which will be announced on November 10, 2015.

Since Hiring Our Heroes began in March 2011, more than 1,500 companies have hired 27,200 veterans and military spouses as a result of 900 hiring events. In March 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Capital One launched Hiring 500,000 Heroes, a national campaign to engage the business community in committing to hire half a million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014. This milestone was achieved in June 2015 when more than 500,000 veteran and military spouse hires were confirmed.

37th Anderson Military-Citizen Event Features RAdm. as Keynoter

Military Affairs Committee

Presents

37^th John Anderson Military Citizen of the Year

Award sponsored by America’s Credit Union

NOTE:  The regular monthly Military Affairs Forum will be cancelled for support for this special event

The Anderson Military Citizen of the Year award is presented in coordination with Rotary Club of Tacoma #8, to an exemplary recipient who has demonstrated the contributions that active-duty persons make to our community.  This award is the longest tenured award of the Chamber, and a major initiative of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee.  Please attend to show your support for the recipient.  Award Sponsor:  America’s Credit Union

Date/Time Information

Thursday, November 12, 2015
Guests Should Arrive at 11:45 a.m., program 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Fees/Admission

$20.00 At the door

Reservations (NO PREPAYMENT):  Online

Contact Information

Janice Hutchins, 253.627.2175 send an email

Event Location

Rotary Club of Tacoma #8/Landmark Convention Center
47 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402 view a map

*Parking directly across from the Landmark is paid for. 

The Anderson Military Citizen of the Year award is presented to an exemplary recipient who has demonstrated the contributions that active-duty persons make to our community. 

About John H. Anderson

John H. Anderson served as Tacoma’s mayor in the early to mid-1950s. He was also a past Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board of Directors, as well as a successful local businessman.

Keynote Speaker

Rear Admiral Jeffrey Ruth

About RAdm Ruth

Commander, Navy Region NW, Rear Adm. Jeffrey Ruth served as commanding officer USS Nimitz (CVN 68) from March 29, 2012 until July 8, 2014. He also commanded the Rooks of Electronic Attack Squadron and the U.S. 6th Fleet’s flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) home ported in Gaeta, Italy.

Ruth graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering.   He reported to Flight School at Naval Air Station Pensacola and was designated a naval flight officer. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University, attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, MD, as part of the NPS/TPS Co-op program.

Upon completion of the course he was awarded a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering.   He has also served as an operational planner on the staff of the Commander, Allied Forces North Europe in Brunssum, the Netherlands and attended Nuclear Power Training.

Ruth has been awarded the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three Awards), the Air Medal (five individual Awards with Combat “V” and eight Strike/Flight), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three Awards, one with Combat “V”), and other personal, unit and campaign awards. 

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The chief of staff, Army announced the assignment of Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Mosser, U.S. Army Reserve, deputy commanding general, Troop Program Unit, 99th Regional Support Command, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to commander, Troop Program Unit, 364th Sustainment Command, Expeditionary, Marysville, Washington.

Vets & Supporters Awarded

The Chamber has focused military and veterans affairs by awarding three local companies at its 2015 Spotlight on Business Awards ceremony.

Odd Otter Brewing Company’s Slogan says it all: they are not like the “Otter” guys. Five friends – including three current and past military members united to open Odd Otter Brewing Company. Crowdfunded through a kickstarter campaign, Odd Otter is helping to contribute to the ever growing downtown brewery district with their unique blends and brews.

Congratulations Odd Otter Brewing!



When USO Northwest opened its door sin 1996 there were 4 employees. Today, 10 employees at USO Northwest serve more than 600,000 military members and their families throughout the Pacific Northwest through centers at Portland Airport, the Shali Center on McCord JBLM, their mobile canteen, and Seatac Airport, the busiest USO in the country. USO Northwest’s Helping Hands program is supported by the Combined Federal Campaign; 100% of these donations received through the CFC go directly to supporting military and families. Last year USO Northwest’s helping hands program served over 89,000 local military and their families.
Congratulations USO Northwest!

The Geneva Foundation was founded in 1993 by Jane Taylor, a critical care nurse, at the request of Madigan Army Medical Center. Since its inception, Geneva has supported medical research at over 50 Federal Laboratories and Military Treatment Facilities worldwide. Geneva sets itself apart by offering military researchers an exceptional level of service and expertise through our commitment to shared values of integrity, superior customer service, quality, teamwork, innovation, and respect for all. The  Geneva Foundation  recognizes that innovative collaboration is vital to medical advancement. Through collaborations with Industry and medical leaders, exciting new ideas are developed. These ideas have the power to improve patient lives and to provide security for the health and well-being of U.S. service members, their families, and the global community.

Congratulations to the Geneva Foundation!

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert announced today the assignment of Capt. Stephen F. Williamson, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), as director, fleet maintenance, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Williamson is currently serving as commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington.

The chief of staff, Army announced the assignment of Col. (Promotable) Daniel R. Walrath, deputy commander, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. He most recently served as chief of staff, 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The chief of staff, Army announced the assignment of Maj. Gen. William K. Fuller, deputy chief of staff, operations, Resolute Support Mission, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Afghanistan, to deputy commanding general, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert announced today Rear Adm. (lower half) Dee L. Mewbourne will be assigned as director, maritime operations (N3/N5/N2/N7), U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Mewbourne is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Eleven, Everett, Washington

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert announced today the assignment of Rear Adm. (lower half) Richard A. Brown as commander, Carrier Strike Group Eleven, Everett, Washington. Brown is currently serving as commander, Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced today that the president has nominated Air Force Gen. Darren W. McDew for appointment to the rank of general and for assignment as commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. 

Gen. McDew is currently serving as commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.  He served as 62nd Ops Group Commander in 2001 at McChord AFB, now JBLM-McChord Field.
  

Gettysburg Address for this Memorial Day

Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

In just over two minutes, Abraham Lincoln memorialized the sacrifices of those who gave their lives and extolled virtues for the listeners (and the nation) to ensure the survival of America's representative democracy.