When thousands of people were without power on Joint Base Lewis-McChord during the snow and ice storm two weeks ago, civilians and military personnel hustled to restore it.

You’ve just fought your way through the payday madness at the commissary and all the groceries have been put away. You’ve got the kids settled with a bowl of popcorn and their favorite movie, and you’re just opening the book you’ve been trying to finish for the last week, when all of a sudden the power goes out.

Over a hearty breakfast of eggs, potatoes, bacon and French toast, about 400 Joint Base Lewis-McChord servicemembers, civilian employees and retirees, came together to pray at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast Wednesday at the McChord Collocated Club. For the third year in a row, the Air Force and Army have jointly hosted the annual JBLM breakfast.

Sergeant 1st Class Shvoda Gregory remembers a time in the Army when new sergeants coming up in the world learned to care for their Soldiers the hard way — by making leadership mistakes.

Servicemembers entering the civilian workforce are sharing in the nation’s current economic slump. The U.S. Department of Labor reported in 2010 an 11.5 percent unemployment rate for those who’d served in the military any time after September 2001.

It’s common sense to make sure your fire alarm is in good working order. But have you been keeping tabs on your carbon monoxide detector?

The 50th Combined Federal Campaign pledge drive brought in the second highest dollar amount ever for the South Puget Sound, but the campaign isn’t just about the money.

WASHINGTON — The decisions behind the fiscal year 2013 defense budget request Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced last week represent the department’s priorities of maintaining capability, keeping military pay and benefits fair, and managing risk, the nation’s top military officer said today.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley received a warm welcome from the community Jan. 27 during remarks at the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce to approximately 40 local community, military and business leaders.

WASHINGTON — The Army will become more capable through its planned drawdown of 80,000 Soldiers and at least eight brigade combat teams, its chief of staff said Jan. 27.

Servicemembers, civilians and their families continue to rebound from a winter weather wallop that hit Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with the greater Puget Sound region last week. Since the storm arrived early Jan. 18, troops and civilians worked around the clock to restore operations to an installation that had closed to non-essential personnel through Jan. 20.

As snow and ice pummeled the Puget Sound last week, Joint Base Lewis-McChord sprang to action to clear snow and fallen limbs from the road, as well as restore power to the installation.

WASHINGTON — Some Soldiers will need to make a reenlistment decision by Monday or they won’t get to stay in the Army.

WASHINGTON — Airmen will play an important role in the joint team’s effort to achieve the priorities laid out in the new defense strategic guidance, according to the Air Force’s top uniformed officer.

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord community was reminded of the power inherent in social media sites like Facebook in sharing timely information during a massive winter storm that swept across Western Washington last week.

The snowstorm that blew through Joint Base Lewis-McChord last week has caused a 45-day delay in the next phase of construction on Pendleton Avenue.

WASHINGTON — The Army released a study this week on behavioral health and reported that the number of suicides decreased this past year and more Soldiers are seeking treatment for their problems.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Saving the lives of combat wounded is one of the main objectives at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Research on prehospital care devices like the tourniquet has proven to save lives in battlefield wounds to the arms or legs, which was once the most common cause of preventable death.

WASHINGTON — The Army is now one step closer to selecting a new set of camouflage patterns that could replace what Soldiers are wearing now in most places.

WASHINGTON — A new report confirms a concern defense and military leaders have long recognized: There’s a growing disconnect between Americans and their military.

Fort Bliss, Texas — Since the start of current combat operations in 2001, deployments have become all too common for many military families. While it may be easy at times to explain to adults that duty calls them away for an extended period, it can be very complicated to convey that message to children.

On an ever-growing military installation, it’s important to look to the future.

Did you know that cervical cancer was once a leading cause of cancer death in American women?

PHOENIX — Tricare West Region beneficiaries can make managing their health care easier and support military Families at the same time — just by choosing paperless options as part of TriWest Healthcare Alliance’s “Go Green and Give” campaign.

Your smartphone can now be used for more than texting friends or flinging birds. With TriWest’s mobile account tools, you can get closer to your health care.

The “fighting knife” that’s seen in the U.S. Army Special Forces crest is said to represent a “silent” weapon that represents “straight and true” Special Forces troops.

A winter snow storm didn’t prevent about 50 people from celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday Tuesday at the McChord Field Collocated Club.

The Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Dover Air Force Base, Del., has the sole duty of fulfilling the country’s commitment of ensuring dignity, honor, and respect to fallen U.S. troops and the care, service, and support to their families. Since 1996, Reservists from the 446th Force Support Squadron Sustainment Services Flight at Joint Base Lewis-McChord have helped support the Air Force’s mortuary mission.

After a record breaking year saving Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldiers and retirees over $1 million on filing their tax returns and generating $16.6 million in refunds from the 7,800 federal and state returns, the JBLM Tax Center is preparing for another busy year. However, servicemembers may see fewer refunds this year due to changes in the tax codes including the expiration of the Making Work Pay Credit and in most cases, the First Time Homebuyers Credit. Officer in Charge Capt. Sean Flood hopes to continue Lewis-McChord’s accuracy track record while saving servicemembers money.