Lewis Ledger, July 3

Action Line

An Action Line has been established to allow Fort Lewis community members to express their concerns and ideas directly to the commanding general. Your issues will be addressed by the commander and his staff. The Action Line number is 967-0093.

Workshop for parents

Army Community Service is holding a children and deployment workshop for parents July 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the ACS office in Waller Hall.

Parents can help their children accept and have a better understanding of the separation from a loved one due to a deployment. They can anticipate and defuse potential problems by planning ahead and discussing the challenges of deployment with the entire family.

These ACS workshops are designed to help parents understand the challenges children face and to suggest steps to take to help everyone cope more effectively.

To register for the workshop, call ACS at 967-8430 or e-mail pamela.j.allen@us.army.mil.

Child care is available with prior reservation by calling Clarkmoor Hourly Care at 966-2490. Children must be registered with CYSS.

Family Night

Families of deployed Soldiers are invited to the Cascade Community Center Monday for Family Night. A dinner of chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese and french fries will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $4.25 for adults and $3.25 for children. For more information or reservations, call 964-0331.

42nd MP Bde. awards

The following awards were presented to members of the 42nd Military Police Brigade following their return from deployment in Iraq.

Bronze Star Medals: Col. David Glaser, Command Sgt. Maj. Edgar Dahl, Lt. Col. Zane Jones, Lt. Col. Erica Nelson, Lt. Col. Kevin Vereen, Maj. Richard Ball, Maj. Ryan Gillogly, Maj. Joseph Gray, Maj. Jill Mackin, Maj. Darcy Overybey, Maj. Scott Vansweringen, Maj. Gail Wege, Capt. Edward Ahn, Capt. Henry Cartagena, Capt. Michael Greene, Capt. Jennifer Morris, Capt. Peter Nienhaus, Sgt. Maj. David Debates, 1st Sgt. Sean Butts, Master Sgt. Marvin Lockett, Master Sgt. Dean Robinson, Sgt. 1st Class John Fair, Sgt. 1st Class Scott Howerton, Sgt. 1st Class John Miller, Sgt. 1st Class Juan Rodriguez, Sgt. 1st Class David Rogers, Sgt. 1st Class Bernell Zorn, Sgt. Adam Kirschner.

Meritorious Service Medals: Lt. Col. Ken Bellinger, Capt. Daniel Naab, Capt. Scott Phillips, Chief Warrant Officer John Manning, Chief Warrant Officer James Becerra, Warrant Officer Delano McCallum. Master Sgt. Ronnie De Costa, Master Sgt. Noma Delacala, Sgt. 1st Class Lorne Coody, Sgt. 1st Class Mary Deutcher, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Heiney, Sgt. 1st Class Larnel Norman, Staff Sgt. Charles Anderson, Staff Sgt. Vernon Clay, Sgt. Alyse Williams.

Army Commendation Medals: Maj. Thomas Boczar, Capt. Daniel Ross, 1st Lt. Alicia Mask, Master Sgt. Kirk Johnson, Sgt. 1st Class Steven Dunbar, Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Giovanelli, Sgt. 1st Class James Harvey, Staff Sgt. James Jablonski, Staff Sgt. James Nededog, Staff Sgt. Michael Rainier, Staff Sgt. Steven Renner, Staff Sgt. Khalilah Rossado-Garrison, Staff Sgt. Hector Velazquesfalcon, Sgt. Paul Alexander, Sgt. Sharland Banks, Sgt. Anthea Becerra, Sgt. Rachelle Bell, Sgt. Gary Lewis, Sgt. Daniel Noriega, Sgt. James Schultz, Sgt. Larry Stewart, Sgt. Thomas Trutt, Cpl. Kenneth Elliot, Spc. Matthew Bender, Spc. Michael Bowling, Spc. Crystal Clark, Spc. Matthew Conley, Spc. Joshua Deesse, Spc. Michael Dowdellel, Spc. Leo Finn, Spc. Joshua George, Spc. Christopher Higgins, Spc. James Hobley, Spc. Emily Johnson, Spc. Jose Lebron, Spc. Amie McMillan, Spc. Taaha Mussa, Spc. Samantha Perry, Spc. Larry Puller, Spc. Benjamin Roberts, Spc. Joe Wilson.

Army Achievement Medals: Sgt. Henry Cooper, Pfc. Benjamin Hooper

Fort Lewis Toasmasters

Toastmasters has a new meeting location and is looking for new members.

The Melting Pot Toastmasters is an award-winning Toastmasters club based on Fort Lewis. The club meets for an hour every Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. in the first floor conference room 1025, in the 191st Infantry Brigade headquarters building on Division Drive near the Family Resource Center.

Watch ‘UFC Fight 100’

If you like mixed martial arts, combatives or just like a good fight, the Fort Lewis clubs have an event for you. Come out on July 11 and watch “UFC Fight 100” at Club North or Cascade Community Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Order a cold beverage and watch the undercard fights before the big matchup.

For more information call 967-2539 or visit FortLewisMWR.com.

Sergeants major golf

The Fort Lewis Sergeants Major Association is holding its annual four-person golf scramble July 17, at 1 p.m. at Eagles Pride Golf Course on Fort Lewis. The tournament is limited to the first 36 teams to sign up. Cost of the tournament is $60 per golfer, which includes golf, cart and dinner.

To register call Ron Hernandez, at 968-7877 or register online at www.orgsites.com/wa/fortlewissma/index/html. Sign up as a team or as an individual and organizers will team you up with others.

Poster contest

The Office of Suicide Prevention is currently accepting submissions for the 2010 Suicide Prevention Poster Contest. Posters should be creative and employ specific suicide-awareness messages.

Posters are required to be 8 x 12 inches and may be submitted by individuals or teams of up to five members. The winning poster, chosen in early September, will be the lead display for 2010 Suicide Prevention efforts.

Submissions can be sent by e-mail to gary.ouellette@us.army.mil or hand delivered to the Office of Suicide Prevention, Building 2008B, Room B111.

ID card closure

The Waller Hall ID/DEERS facility will be closed today through Monday for the Independence Day holiday weekend. Normal customer-service operations will resume Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 967-7888.

Stress management class

The Fort Lewis Advocacy Program offers a stress management class on the third floor of Building 2013B, in the FAP Conference Room, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday and July 14, 21 and 28. Get a better understanding of stress and its effects on health and readiness; learn to identify physical and emotional reactions to stress, and learn about stress management tools and how to use them effectively. For more information, call 967-5901.

Bump, Set, Spike Volleyball Camp

Registration for Bump, Set, Spike Volleyball Camp will begin Wednesday and run through July 30. The camp is for ages 9 to 15. The camp is Aug. 3 to 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $15. Come out and learn the fundamentals of volleyball. All skill levels are welcome.

Register at Building 2295, 12th & Bitar. Call 967-2494 for more information.

Family child care training

Fort Lewis kids need you. Receive free business training and have a fun, rewarding career. You can earn up to $2,000 a month working from home as a family child care provider. FCC classes are in Building 2013B on the second floor in Room 233. Due to limited space and importance of the meeting, please do not bring children to the orientation. Child care will be provided during the provisional classes.

The next orientation is Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Provisional classes are set for July 13 to 17 and July 20 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call 967-3039.

1st SFG organizational day

The 1st Special Forces Group will host a unit organizational day July 10 at the unit’s compound on Fort Lewis. Military organizational days are traditionally held to promote esprit de corps and camaraderie in a unit, as well as provide time together for unit members and their families.

The 2009 1st SFG organizational day will feature a pistol and skeet-shooting competition, and other events for Soldiers and other attendees. Children’s events, including face painting and a water-balloon toss, are also scheduled. The organizational day is open to current and former members of 1st SFG and their families. The event is free.

For more information, call Capt. Houston Sheets at 967-8848.

Family communications

If you would like to know more about healthy ways to communicate with your spouse, sign up for a family communication class. Offered by the Family Advocacy Program and the Family Life Center, the class is held on the first Tuesday of each month, in Building 9120, Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel, from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, call 967-5901.

Start Smart Sports Camps

Registration for Start Smart Sports Camps runs through Aug. 7 for ages 3 to 5. Camp 1 is Tuesday to Thursday, and Camp 2 is Aug. 11 to 13. The cost is $15 per camp. Start Smart helps children learn the basic motor skills necessary to play organized sports. The program focuses on teaching children and their parents basic sports mechanics without the threat of competition or the fear of getting hurt. Register at Building 2295, at 12th and Bitar. Bring a current shot record, ID card, three local emergency contacts and a current sports physical. Call 967-2494 for more information.

Warrior Leader Course

The Warrior Leader Course, Class 008-09 will in-process July 15. Students must report to Building 3114 at 5 a.m. Sponsors must be at Building 5996 at 5 a.m.

For more information, call 967-7294.

Basketball camp

Registration for Craig Hodges’ basketball camp runs through Aug. 17. This camp is for children of deployed Soldiers. Craig Hodges, an assistant coach for the L.A. Lakers, has won three NBA championships.

The camp will be Aug. 17 through Aug. 21 at the Youth Center Teen Zone Gymnasium. Ages 5 to 10 will meet from 9 to 11 a.m. and ages 11 to 18 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Fall soccer

Jump, kick and run into the new school year with fall soccer. Registration for fall soccer will run until Aug. 14, for ages 3 to 15. The season is Aug. 24 through Oct. 17. Learn the fundamentals while having fun. Register at Building 2295, 12th and Bitar. Bring a current shot record, ID card, three local emergency contacts and a sports physical, which must be updated annually.

For more information, call 967-2494.

British Soccer Camp

Registration is under way for British Soccer Camp, July 20-24, for ages 3 to 16. Register online at www.challengersports.com.

Cost of the camp is: $69 for ages 3 to 4; $81 for ages 4 to 5; $107 for ages 6 to 16; and $154 for ages 7 to 16, full days.

British Soccer Camps provide players of all ages and abilities with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international experts. Each day includes individual foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices, small-sided games, coached scrimmages and a daily tournament. The Challenger coaching staff provides lessons in respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and leadership.

Japanese spouses’ group

If your husband is deployed or deploying, you are new to the area, you have questions or if you just want to meet and talk with other Japanese spouses, the Japanese Spouse Support Group is here for you. You can join the group for monthly meetings, fundraising events, fun activities, such as barbecues, lady’s night and other events. For more information, contact japanesearmywivesupportgroup@gmail.com.

Summer reading program

Fort Lewis Library System is launching its 2009 summer reading program: “Be Creative at Your Library!” The reading program is open to young people — preschool through young adult (parents are welcome to read, too) — with reading incentives, activities, crafts, story times and more.

● Storytime at Book Patch: Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Tuesday — Join Wendy Wahman, author of “Don’t Lick The Dog”

July 14 — Dress as your favorite storybook character

July 21 — Bring a brown bag lunch to the library (enjoy our courtyard)

July 28 — Summer fun! (bring your beach towel to sit on)

● Super Saturday storytime, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Crittenberger: June 27, July 11, 18 and 25

● Weekly activities at Book Patch: Wednesdays, 1 to 2 p.m.

Wednesday — Paper bag puppets/face masks

July 15 – Sidewalk chalk

July 22 — Collages

July 29 – Origami

● Summer Reading Program ends July 31. Last day to collect prizes.

● Grand finale and recognition ceremony at Grandstaff Library Aug. 5, 1 to 3 p.m.

For more information call 967-5533, 967-5889 or visit www.fortlewismwr.com/library/.

Walk to Iraq

Registration for all ages is ongoing for “Walk to Iraq.” Track your fitness improvement while you “Walk to Iraq” until your Soldiers return. “Walk to Iraq” meets Mondays and Wednesdays. There is no cost, and everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Register at Building 2295, at 12th and Bitar. Call 967-2494 for more information.

Calendar

The following holidays and days of no scheduled activities are planned:

● today, Independence Day observed

● Monday, DONSA

● Aug. 7, DONSA

● Sept. 4, DONSA

● Sept. 7, Labor Day

Firing notices

● 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment will fire mortars in the Fort Lewis Artillery Impact Area, from midnight Monday until midnight July 10, using Mortar Point 7.

● 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group will fire mortars in the Fort Lewis Artillery Impact Area, from midnight Aug. 10 until midnight Aug. 14, using Mortar Point 4.

WNBA

Come celebrate military and veterans appreciation night with the the Seattle Storm WNBA team, at Key Arena in Seattle, at 5 p.m. July 19. The Storm will be taking on the Minnesota Lynx. There will be a 3-point shooting contest for all pre-purchased military ticket holders before the game.

Tickets are just $10. Seats are first-come, first-served, so reserve yours today.

For information call Tom Adamski at (206) 272-2526 or e-mail him at dferguson@stormbasketball.com.

Homework help

Fort Lewis Libraries offer free online homework help. Tutors who are specialists in their subject areas are waiting to help every day from 2 to 9 p.m. This service is for any grade level, any subject. Just log on to www.fortlewismwr.com/library/.

For more information call 967-5533 or 967-5889.

Sports Fit Friday

Registration for Sports Fit Friday for ages 5 to 15 is ongoing. Take a break from your daily routine, and come try something new. Check out the tips from athletes at local universities.

Fit Fridays are July 8, July 22, Aug. 5 and Aug. 19. The cost is $5. Register at Building 2295, 12th and Bitar. For more information, call 967-2494.

Alcohol awareness

To help promote healthy drinking habits, TRICARE Management Activity has launched a new Web site to combat alcohol abuse and promote responsible drinking. The Web site, found at www.tricare.mil/alcoholawareness, provides information, links and news about alcohol, underage drinking, alcoholism and substance abuse.

Common Sense Parenting

Are you tired of having to ask your child three times to do something? If so, then give Common Sense Parenting a try. The New Parent Support Program’s Common Sense Parenting is a class that helps form strong and healthy families by building on existing parenting skills and learning new ways to deal with children’s problem behaviors. Classes are free and are led by trained facilitators committed to helping parents create a positive and healthy environment in which both children and parents can thrive.

To register for Common Sense Parenting, call 966-1088. Limited child care is available with three weeks’ prior notice; call 966-1088.

CYSS Youth Fitness

Registration for CYSS Youth Fitness is ongoing. Workout times at the Jensen Family Health and Fitness Center are Monday through Friday, 3 to 7 p.m. and at McVeigh Sports and Fitness Center on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There is no participation fee. Register with Child, Youth and School Services. A parent or guardian must be present during the on-site assessment with the physical trainer. Proper workout attire is required. Youth fitness is open to ages 13 and older. Visit Central Registration at Building 2295 at 12th Street and Bitar Avenue to register for CYSS Sports. Bring the following: ID card, sports physical, immunization record and three local emergency points of contact. For more information, call 967-2494.

PWOC

Are you new to Fort Lewis? Are you tired of the long days of deployments? Are you looking for a place where you can join other women and be refreshed and renewed? Then join the ladies of Protestant Women of the Chapel every Wednesday morning from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Main Post Chapel. Check out the group Web site, www.pwocftlewis.org, for more information.

Community Resource Guide

A comprehensive tool listing Fort Lewis services is now on the Web. The Community Resource Guide provides contact information on services available for those working or living on Fort Lewis. It also contains links to services near the installation.

Access the guide at http://www.lewis.army.mil/resourceguide/ or by selecting the appropriate link on Fort Lewis public Web sites.

Family life consultants

No-cost, confidential civilian military family life counseling services are now available at local off-post locations. Meet with licensed family counselors to clarify a problem, handle a crisis, develop an action plan or prioritize and resolve problems. Locations include Lacey and Lakewood.

To schedule appointments, call 1 (800) 977-7595.

American Legion Vetcam

Soldiers and other service members deployed overseas can now use Webcams to talk with their families back home, thanks to the American Legion’s new “VetCam.” This free Webcam service enables face-to-face talk on personal computers by simply registering as a user. Once registered, each user can connect with two Webcams and use the service 24/7 from any place with an Internet connection. To initiate the service, users need a Webcam or a computer with a built-in Webcam. Then, just go to the American Legion Web site, click on “VetCams,” register and start communicating. Once registered, simply log in at any time to connect. Visit http://www.legion.org/ for more information.

Gate hours and locations

Fort Lewis gate hours and locations:

● Liberty (Main), 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 120 to Main Post;

● 41st Division (North Fort), 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 120 to North Fort;

● Logistics Center, 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), I-5 Exit 123 — Thorne Lane;

● Madigan, 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 122 — Berkeley Street;

● East Gate, 24 hours, 7 days a week, East Gate Road and 4th Division Drive (connects to SR 507);

● DuPont Gate, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 119;

● D Street (POV), 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, access to North Fort from DuPont-Steilacoom Road;

● D Street (CVIP), 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), same as D Street (POV);

● Scouts Out, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 days a week (closed on federal holidays), 2nd Division Range Road;

● Transmission Line (ASP), 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), Transmission Line Road;

● Center Drive (outbound only), 4 to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday (closed on federal holidays), adjacent to the Regional Confinement Facility;

● I Street Gate (North Fort) (inbound only), 5 to 9 a.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), 1 1⁄2 miles north of DuPont Exit 119, Just off DuPont-Steilacoom Road;

● Lincoln-Rainier Gate, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 7 days a week, from off post — access via Perimeter Road/150th Street; from on-post — access via Rainier Drive and Lincoln Street on the Logistics Center.

McChord gate hours and locations:

● Main Gate, 24 hours, 7 days a week, I-5 Exit 125 (Bridgeport Way);

● Barnes Gate, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 7 days a week, Perimeter Road, approximately 1/2 mile from the Lincoln Boulevard gate exit of Fort Lewis;

● Commercial Vehicle Inspection Point 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on federal holidays), Perimeter Road approximately 1⁄4 mile from the Lincoln Boulevard gate exit of Fort Lewis;

● Woodbrook Housing Gate, 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, I-5 Exit 124 — Gravelly Lake.

ACS volunteers needed

Do you want to serve your community? Would you like to get free child care while you serve? Become an Army Community Service volunteer. ACS is currently searching for a volunteer coordinator to manage the ACS volunteer program. ACS is also seeking volunteers to provide administrative support to various departments within the ACS Office in Waller Hall. For more information go to www.myarmylifetoo.com or call 967-6399.

Youth fitness training

Child, Youth and School Services youth cardio strength training is open to those at least 13 years of age. Program workout times: Jensen Family Health and Fitness Center: Monday through Friday, 3 to 8 p.m. and McVeigh Sports and Fitness Center: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register at CYSS Central Registration, Building 2166 (bring ID, sports physical, shot record and three local emergency contacts). Registration is free. For more information, call 967-2494.

Attention

Event announcements must be received no later than the Friday before publication. They can be e-mailed to nwgeditor@nwguardian.com.Announcements can be viewed online at NWGuardian.com. The Northwest Guardian office is located in the basement of Building 2026-B.

For more information, call 967-0173.