Every year in the United States approximately 36,000 people die of influenza, and 200,000 are hospitalized. That’s more than twice the number of deaths due to AIDS.

We live in a throw-away world. The average American family seems to produce a house-sized pile of trash every year.

Why are immunizations so important? It is always better to prevent a disease than to have to treat it later. Immunizations were developed to prevent disease in the people who receive them. Immunizations also help protect people who come in contact with others not immunized.

Do you want to make a difference?

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – I remember hearing that this was the “Year of the Air Force Family,” but it really didn’t mean anything to me. Privately, I even wondered if it was just lip service paid to whitewash the toll that increased deployments were having on service members.

Our Soldiers have been steadfast in their service to the nation during the past nine years of conflict. Their families have been just as constant in their own dedicated service, providing the strength and support that enables Soldiers to do their jobs. Our Soldiers and families persevere in their service to the nation in the face of repeated deployments and even greater challenges.

This is my first ‘Courage 6 Sends’ since taking command and I am looking forward to using this as a way of updating you all on those things that are important to Joint Base Lewis-McChord and our Soldiers, Airmen and families.

The Department of the Army has declared August 2010 as Antiterrorism Awareness Month.

I have always said you can either read history or make it. Many in our workforce have made important history by asking the three fundamental questions: Are we doing the right things? Are we doing things right? What are we missing?

It is a challenge to put out a good newspaper in a digital world.

With summer at its peak, many people will be outside enjoying the warm weather. For those who like being outside, whether gardening, mowing the lawn, playing sports, boating or just getting some sun, it is wise to remember that reaching for a “cold one” should be reaching for a non-alcoholic drink such as water or a sports beverage.

Accidents don’t just happen.

Want to know what the Armed Forces add to our society? Just ask a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine.

It’s hard to believe that figuring out how to fill a summer could ever be a problem. But every year I here children complain their is nothing to do.

We live in hiking heaven. But you’ll never know that unless you get out and look for it.

Army families deal with unique challenges associated with military life, especially when it comes to relocation. Not only do families have to find a new place to call home, they also have to find new health care and child care providers, enroll children in new schools and activities and build new networks of friends and support. These challenges are not easy for any Army family, but for families with special needs, they are magnified.

As the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, one of the most important duties I have is overseeing the Army Family Action Plan process. The AFAP is the Army’s grassroots effort, in which members of the Army Community (Soldiers, civilians, families and retirees) identify and elevate quality of life issues to senior leaders for action. The AFAP is also a key component of the Army Family Covenant, because it gives Army leaders insight into the needs and expectations of the Army community, to determine if we’re doing the right things, whether we’re doing things right, and to find out what we’re missing.

As I was cleaning and organizing the paperwork and clutter in my home office, I came across a news article suggesting 50 ways to improve your life, one of those 50 suggestions included cataloging your clutter.

When the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, the original 13 colonies did not have a shared army, but instead, a collection of independent colonial militias.

Ultraviolet rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation. There are three types of UV rays: ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B and ultraviolet C. Scientists believe that UVA radiation can cause damage to connective tissue and increase a person’s risk for developing skin cancer. UVB rays penetrate less, but can still cause some forms of skin cancer. Natural UVC rays do not pose a risk because they are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere.

I have moved many times in my career. I have deployed, leaving my wife to pull double duty at home. I know the good, the bad and the ugly of moving, firsthand.

I went through 13 permanent changes of station during my 24 years in the Army. To my civilian friends, that sounds like a lot of moving. To Soldiers, it is just a typical career profile.

Sunday is the 6th of June. That used to be one of those days everyone could identify. Now, it seems to be fading into the historically obscure. That’s a shame.

Over the last few months, I waited patiently for the Department of Defense 2010 Nuclear Posture Review Report, and on April 10 my wait ended.

Memorial Day — it’s a sacred day to all war veterans. None need to be reminded of the reason that Memorial Day must be commemorated, but what about the general public, and more importantly, future generations? Do most non-veterans really recognize the importance of the day honoring their fellow Americans killed in war?

Over the past six months, during four outside agency visits, the men and women of the 62nd Airlift Wing have shown we take nothing for granted when it comes to our Prime Nuclear Airlift Force mission.

Ever since I arrived at McChord Field in February, my father and I have been comparing notes.

Over the years, our enemies have taken many forms. During my career, the “enemy” has taken the form of Soviet Spetsnaz, Balkan snipers, North Korean special operations forces, international terrorists and any number of bad guys or gals. Most recently, the focus has been on the insurgence in Iraq, the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorists in those areas of operations.

The Installation Management community is committed to leveraging the power of technology to expand our communication capabilities and enhance our ability to serve and support Soldiers, civilians and families.