Community Ledger, April 29

Sykes' Regulars Rendezvous

“The Sykes’ Regulars are creating a 20th Infantry Regiment Association and are reaching out to all former commanders, command sergeants major, and other distinguished members and veterans.

Challenges exist in locating alumni and contacting them. In response, we have secured a website for the 20th Infantry Regiment Association that launches this week at www.20thIN-Assoc.org.

We are jumpstarting this effort by holding the 1st Sykes’ Regulars Rendezvous Monday and Tuesday, May 2 and 3, representing the 150th anniversary of the founding of our formation May 3, 1861. This is the first step in getting our veterans and former members interested and building from here.

Our focus of this event will be a dining-in on May 3, at which we hope to name the honorary colonel and command sergeant major of the regiment, along with the first inductees to the Honorary Company.

Former members of the 20th Infantry Regiment, Sykes’ Regulars, are encouraged to contact the battalion staff duty at (253) 967-9409 or 1st Lt. Quenton Williams at quenton.williams@conus.army.mil.

Gates and roadwork progress on JBLM

A new phase in the McChord Field Main Gate construction project on JBLM began recently and is scheduled for completion Monday. Inbound traffic remains the same; outbound traffic is rerouted through the Main Gate canopy and winds around the Visitors Center.

The D Street Gate on JBLM Lewis North The striping project is complete. The next East Drive project plans repairs starting at the end of the D-Street widening to DuPont/Steilacoom Road requiring road closure, likely in July.

The McChord Field Woodbrook Housing Gate has reopened. Operating hours will be extended during McChord Field Main Gate construction. The gate will be open 5 a.m.to 7 p.m., seven days a week through Monday.

The McChord Field North Gate will operate extended hours, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, except weekends and federal holidays. The extended operating hours will continue through Monday, to accommodate construction at the McChord Field Main Gate.

A traffic circle has been installed at the intersection of A Street and 17th Street on Lewis North, however, light poles will not be delivered until late May. Traffic barrels with lights will mark the roundabout. There will be intermittent traffic delays when the poles are installed, which should take a day.

Drivers using Jackson Avenue near Madigan Army Medical Center should expect delays for a few months as contractors begin repairing a one-mile stretch of road from the barricades near the Madigan Gate to Transmission Line Road. The project consists of two phases: the first phase involves repairing cracks and potholes, and the second phase places an overlay on the road during the night and the project finishes in August. Paving has been completed on 41st Division Road and work on Jackson starts soon.

More information about traffic revision updates and construction changes will come as the contractor announces them. For road conditions, call 967-1733.

Calendar

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

• May 27, DONSA

• May 30, Memorial Day

• June 17, DONSA

• July 1, DONSA

• July 4, Independence Day

• Aug. 12, DONSA

• Sept. 2, DONSA

• Sept. 5, Labor Day

Free children’s play

Experience a quality theater production of “The Princess and the Pea” with Missoula Children’s Theater May 7 at Evergreen Elementary on Lewis North. Shows are at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; admission is free.

Call 967-5265 for more details.

Wood cutting permits

Firewood cutting on Joint Base Lewis-McChord is by permit only. For more information, please contact Forest Resources at 964-2100 or 964-2101.

Reserve sports fields

The ball fields at Fort Steilacoom Park are in demand as summer approaches. Recreation and community service officials ask all users to coordinate with Scott Williams, Lakewood Parks Manager, 377-4392, with usage details and to request specific fields and times.

Sports physicals

Summer activities and fall sports will be here before you know it. If your teens are assigned to the Adolescent Medicine Clinic, it’s time to get your annual sports or activity physical scheduled. Spaces are now open. They fill up fast so be sure to make yours today. To schedule your teen’s appointment with your Adolescent Medicine Medical Home, call the Tricare Regional Appointment Center at 1 (800) 404-4506.

Armed Forces Day

Massing of the Colors is scheduled for May 21 at 3 p.m. at Memorial Stadium, JBLM Lewis Main as part of Armed Forces Day. Mark your calendars. If you are interested in participating with your organizational colors please contact Jo Swartz 582-4185.

Treat Mom to brunch

Take your mother out to an annual favorite — Mother’s Day Brunch May 8 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Choose the McChord Club or American Lake Community Center at Lewis North.

The McChord Club brunch is 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and costs $19.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors, $10.95 for ages 6 to 11 and free for ages 5 and under. Club members receive a $2 discount. Call 982-5581 for reservations.

American Lake Community Center’s brunch is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $18.95 for adults, $7.95 for ages 4 to 10 and free for ages 3 and younger. Reservations are recommended; call 964-1209.

Ten-Miler tryouts

Army active duty personnel tryouts for the formation of the JBLM Army Ten-Miler Team are planned for May 14, June 4 and June 25 at 9 a.m. at Cowan Stadium. Those selected will compete in the Army Ten Miler Oct. 9 in Washington, D.C.

Final team selections need command approval to participate in training and workouts during normal PT times July through September.

For information, call the intramural office at 967-4768.

Red Cross volunteers

The JBLM American Red Cross is looking for departments across the base that have interest in hosting youth volunteers from late June to early September. For more information or to request a volunteer, contact 968-1055, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Webinar for benefits

The Tricare and Military OneSource Tricare Young Adult webinar is available online.

TYA is a result of a provision in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act that extends premium-based health coverage to eligible dependent children until age 26. Military parents and dependent children under age 26 are encouraged to review the webinar. It covers who qualifies for TYA, when and where to enroll and what type of coverage to expect.

The webinar is available now by visiting www.tricare.mil/mediacenter and clicking on the TricareYoung Adult Webinar link. For more on TYA, visit: www.tricare.mil/tya.

ACAP job fair

ACAP will host a job fair on Thursday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord American Lake Community Center on Lewis North. More than 50 employers from all over the U.S. will be looking for veterans who can fill positions in their organizations. Those attending the job fair are encouraged to bring their resumes, dress for success and be prepared in case an interview takes place! For information, call the ACAP center at 967-6302.

Free pro football

The South Sound Shockers minor league football team has designated its home opener on May 7 at at Spanaway High School in Tacoma as a military appreciation day. Anyone with military ID enters — a $7 value. Come see fellow Soldiers play.

Deployed family spa

Is your family member deployed? Please join us for fun and fellowship at Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel Tuesday, May 3 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Limited free CYSS child care on sight. Bring proof of CYSS enrollment or your blue bag if you have one. Our theme is Spa Night! We will have a relaxing night of pampering with spa services as well as a spa-style dinner. Chapel NeXt will provide the main dish; attendees please bring a side dish. Sponsored by Chapel NeXt, RSVP to Carolyn Clanton, deployedfamiliesjblm@yahoo.com. This event is open to all branches of service and all family members.

Civilian pay question?

The JBLM Civilian Payroll Office, located at Building 2007A, Room 106A, has established customer service hours.

Customer service representatives are available from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. daily, or call 966-9013.

Lifeguard positions

Are you over age 16 and looking for a job? Lifeguarding positions are currently available at JBLM. Call 966-1442 for details.

Child care training

Looking for a fun, rewarding job? Become a family child care provider and make a difference in the lives of military children and their families. FCC providers earn up to $2,000 a month, may qualify for subsidies and receive free child care while in training and free resources for your business.

Learn about FCC at the May 3 orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at the FCC office in Building 2013B. Full-day training classes meet May 9 to 13 and May 16. FCC will provide free child care during the training classes.

For information, call the FCC office at 967-3039.

Combatives tourney

Determine the best fighters across I Corps and further the Warrior’s mindset across the Army. The JBLM combatives tournament will be at the Soldiers Field House from May 2 to 5. Monday — final registration, weigh-in and bracketing 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday — Basic rule bouts 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday — Intermediate rules bouts and quarter finals; Thursday — Rules brief 1 p.m., fourth-place bouts 2 to 5 p.m., UTC championship bouts 6:30 p.m.

Registration: Victoria Shuler, 968-6524 or e-mail Victoria.shuler@conus.army.mil.

Soldiers Field House gym and pool will close May 5 at noon to host the JBLM Modern Army Combatives Tournament.

The gym and pool will reopen on May 6 at 5:30 a.m. For more information, call 967-4771.

Parenting class

Classes for expecting parents are available the second Monday of every month, from 9 to 10 a.m., in the Sakakini Conference Room at Madigan Army Medical Center, near the Labor and Delivery Ward.

This class is for all parents in need of extra help and education on resources and information. For information, call Medical Social Work at 968-2303.

Volunteer winners

The Army Volunteer Corps Program Manager, Lois Parker, announced this year’s winning Volunteers of the Year at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon Thursday at American Lake Community Center. Of the 37 Joint Base Lewis-McChord volunteers nominated, those selected follow:

Retiree Volunteer of the Year — Erika Ochoa;

Family of the Year — the Finklea family;

Active-duty Volunteer of the Year — Master Sgt. Rick Stage;

Adult Volunteer of the Year — Carol Sheff;

Volunteers of Merit — Jerry Johnson, Maria De Jesus, Stacey Phillips, Sgt. Joshua Debee.

For coverage of the luncheon with photographs, pick up a copy of next week’s Northwest Guardian.

Rideshare $$ winners

March rideshare winners: $100 winners: Jeremy Martin, Madigan, 14 trips (12 bike, 1 carpool, 1 walk); Denise Beagle, Madigan, 17 carpool trips; Larry Barker, McChord Field, 10 carpool trips. $100 Top Trip Reducer: Matthew Heatherly, Lewis Main, 20 carpool trips. Trip for Two to Portland: Deborah Bair, Madigan, 16 carpool trips.

Be part of the solution and win cash and prizes. Enter to win every month through August 2011 by logging your daily commute at PierceTrips.com. Find a ride-match, register online at www.rideshareonline.com. For information, contact Makieda Hart at 967-7301.

Ammo amnesty day

Amnesty Day will be Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the C-5 mock-up just outside East Gate. All ammo is accepted with no questions asked and no fear of prosecution. Other amnesty box locations are at the ASP parking lot; Range 2 on Jecelin Ave.; A Street and 17th Street, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lewis North; Mastin Ave., 3rd and 4th Division Drive (Ranger MP); Slone and S. 20th Street (main wash rack); A Street and 8th (north wash rack).

Local cabin rentals

If you want to get away from it all just for the weekend or for a vacation, rent a studio cabin or one-, two- or three-bedroom cabin on the shore of American Lake. Reserve a cabin up to three months in advance; available year-round from the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North.

For photos and information, visit JBLMmwr.com under cabin rentals, or call 967-7744 or 967-8282.

Chopper vet in pain?

If you are or were a U.S. military helicopter pilot or crewmember, the DOD wants to know if you suffered back or neck pain or injury (not resulting from an aviation mishap) that may be related to your service in helicopters.

Back pain afflicts approximately 20 percent of the general population, but studies have indicated military helicopter crews report unusually high rates of back pain and related injuries.

A DOD-sponsored study aims at understanding the mechanisms of those injuries, the impact they have on operational readiness, safety and quality of life, and to identify the best options for reducing injuries in the future.

Researchers for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (AT&L) urge current and former military pilots and crewmembers to complete an online survey at www.DoDhelicopterseatsurvey.com. They are anonymous and should only be taken once. If you participated in a similar January 2010 Navy and Marine Corps survey, do not complete this survey; the results will be merged with this study. The survey will be available online through Saturday.

Vesak Day for Buddha

You are invited to join Chaplain Somya Malasri, military families, and friends in celebrating Vesak Day May 7 at Lewis North Chapel, from 2 to 4 p.m. Vesak Day encompasses the birth, the enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. The event will include Buddhist chanting, Dharma talk, blessing, performances and delicious food. For information, contact Chaplain Malasri at somya.malasri@us.army.mil or at 365-8753.

Free movies

The theater at McChord Field has reopened for free weekend movies. This weekend, see “Big Mammas” (PG-13) at 4 p.m. Saturday, “Just Go with It” (PG-13) at 7 p.m. Saturday, and “The Golden Compass” (PG-13) at 4 p.m. Sunday. For the complete schedule, visit www.JBLMmwr.com.

Youth class sign-ups

SKIESUnlimited Youth Academy is taking registrations for a variety of classes in academics, arts, dance, music, life skills, sports and exercise for infants and their parents through teens.

It’s easy to sign up with Child, Youth and School Services and go to WebTrac at JBLMmwr.com to view your choice of classes online. For details, call CYSS at 966-2977.

Miss Jensen? Try Wilson

While Jensen Family Health and Fitness Center undergoes renovation, try Wilson Sports and Fitness Center on JBLM Lewis North.

All Jensen services, including on-site child care, massage, Health Outcomes on-site nurse educators, gait analysis and free aerobics classes, are now operating at Wilson, Building 11596, D and 41st Division. For information, call 967-7471.

‘Take back meds’ day

JBLM is participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s second national Medicine Take Back Day for unwanted or expired medication. This event will be held Saturday, at the parking lot in front of Waller Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an opportunity for those residing on JBLM to safely and conveniently turn in their unwanted or expired over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Employees residing outside of JBLM can take their medications to a community collection site. To locate a site near you, go to www.dea.gov and enter your city and state. To protect privacy, participants are reminded to remove their personal information labels. All solid dosage medication and liquids in consumer containers will be accepted. Intravenous solutions, injectibles, syringes or medical waste will not be accepted due to the potential biohazard risks. For questions, call 967-3985.

Tot skate Wednesdays

Parents and their tots can watch a family movie, meet other families and bring strollers out on the skate floor during AFC Arena’s Wednesday stroller and tot skate 9 to 11 a.m. Skates are $1 per person; rollerblades are $2 per person. Call 967-4458 for information.

Wooden boat fair

Olympia Wooden Boat Association will host the 32nd annual boat fair May 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Percival Landing, downtown Olympia. On display will be wooden boats of all types.

The children’s boat building booth, a family tradition, will be held on Saturday only until the wood runs out. Here children are allowed to use their imaginations and build their own wooden boat. Boat hulls and components are furnished. There will be an international food alley, local entertainment and arts and crafts booths.

For information go to www.olywoodenboat.org.

Computer classes

Giant Campus offers free training to all DOD ID cardholders. You can get a refresher in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint or sharpen your skills in Web design, digital photography, and Facebook. All classes are available online through self paced tutorials.

McChord Field USO

Stop by the USO on McChord Field located next to the passenger terminal, Bldg 1183.

The USO is open Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The USO has a snack bar consisting of donuts, pastries, fruit, sandwiches, coffee and more.

There is Internet access, television and an Xbox. All DOD card holders are welcome and everything is free. Call 982-1100 for more information or www.facebook.com/USOPSA or www.usopsa.org.

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 477-0183.