The U.S. Army Ranger story is typically a closed book, but Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Rangers opened the pages of their latest chapter for an evening last week. The South Sound community had the rare opportunity to join 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in recognizing its own at the Tacoma Dome, May 10.

The Army announced last week that Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza will assume command of the 7th Infantry Division Headquarters at Joint Base Lewis-McChord when the unit is reactivated Oct. 1.

WASHINGTON — As Congress marks up the military budget, the nation’s defense leaders said May 10 they stand ready to work with lawmakers to maintain the balance they built into their budget proposal.

Local leaders were surprised recently with awards from Pierce County for instituting a program to help military foster children.

WASHINGTON — With the military out of Iraq, there’s more time for Soldiers to train for the next fight, the vice chief of staff of the Army said.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Air Force swimmers proved themselves in the pool May 5 by securing one gold and two silver medals during the 2012 Warrior Games.

The 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade gave two of its battalions a warm farewell as the 502nd and 109th Military Intelligence battalions cased their colors May 8 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Watkins Field.

Soldiers from the 593rd Sustainment Brigade were joined by Family and comrades from across Joint Base Lewis-McChord for their brigade’s relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at JBLM Lewis North, May 10.

What has been dubbed the first institutional competitive video game match between bases went off without a hitch May 10 at the JBLM Warrior Zone.

Dressed in a full fireman’s uniform complete with fire extinguisher and hose, Dan, a 4-year-old Chow Chow-Akita mix, held a stuffed Dalmatian dog in his mouth while pulling a fire engine as he walked by the judges at Saturday’s “Pet Pawrade” on JBLM McChord Field. Led by his owner, Fern Haynes of Graham, who was appropriately dressed in fire engine red, Dan won Best in Show for the second year in a row.

Isabelle Morgan ran through the cool waters of the Splash Park May 11 in her new bathing suit. The 6-year-old and her mom Sara went to the surprise event with a picnic lunch to soak up the sunshine.

WELCHES, Ore. — All work and no play can make for very tired Soldiers. It can also, over time, add a lot of pressure to the average Soldier’s marriage. Members of I Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion’s rear detachment staff and senior leadership took advantage of a Strong Bonds weekend getaway, May 4 to 6, to engage in a training exercise geared toward marital peace, rest and relaxation.

WASHINGTON — A husband who championed the progression of disability policy and the Exceptional Family Member Program received the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year Award, May 10 at a luncheon at Marine Barracks Washington in Washington D.C.

Military spouses were honored across Joint Base Lewis-McChord last week during Military Spouse Appreciation Day, which falls on the Friday before Mother’s Day every year. DFMWR sponsored various programs throughout the week to show their appreciation to the spouses here at JBLM.

Female Soldiers of various ranks from 17th Fires Brigade met with the brigade’s commander and command sergeant major for a luncheon at the Cannon and Castle Grill on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, May 10.

WASHINGTON — Despite years of concerted effort, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commandant of the Coast Guard are dissatisfied with progress made in reducing sexual assault in the military, and have released strategic direction to increase the emphasis on combating the crime.

WASHINGTON — In the Army’s fight against sexual harassment and assault, Soldiers cannot be passive. They must recognize and confront other Soldiers engaged in offensive behavior or who may sexually assault someone.

Michelle Jeffers, an Army spouse, knows that getting reestablished on each new installation can be a challenge. Having a son with a severe developmental delay doesn’t make it easier.

Madigan Healthcare System has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

Madigan Healthcare System’s Pediatric Psychology Fellowship has received a seven-year accreditation by the American Psychology Association. This is the longest possible accreditation.

Nearly an inch of rain and cold temperatures didn’t keep 3,800 fans from watching international recording artist Pitbull perform at Joint Base Lewis-McChord May 3. Fans endured a muddy Memorial Stadium and temperatures in the 40s during the free show and many showed up early to get a front row spot for the FMWR and AAFES event.

When it comes to working with electricity most people hire a contractor, but when a few 446th Airlift Wing buildings needed some electrical work, wing leadership didn’t have to look far to find the right people for the job.

When Capt. Benjamin Meier first met Spc. Philip Schiller he was on a road march. Schiller was pale and sweating — but that didn’t stop him from trying.

Construction in the area of Joint Base Lewis-McChord known as the “Banana Belt,” where 2nd Division Drive meets Pendleton Avenue, is slightly ahead of schedule, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project manager Jonathan Norquist.

Retirees from across the Pacific Northwest will take over McChord Field’s Hangar 9 May 18 for Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s annual Retiree Appreciation Day.

FORT BENNING, Ga. — The Army is now approximately 10 weeks into Phase 2 of this fiscal year’s re-enlistment window, open to Soldiers whose expiration of term of service falls between Oct. 1, 2011, and Sept. 30, 2012.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Disabled combat veteran Bill Campbell and his wife, Domenica, opened their 14-acre farm in December, free to all military service veterans and their families. Nestled into the thick, green Capitol Forest, about 30 miles south of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, is the peaceful respite known to many as Wounded Warrior Ranch.

Madigan Healthcare System’s Warrior Transition Battalion sponsored the Operation Warfighter Internship Fair at Joint Base Lewis-McChord last month. The event gave Soldiers a chance to speak with federal agencies about what they offer and how wounded warriors and others who are going through the Army’s medical board process can still serve their country while in transition.

It’s time to get back to best practices once again with Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s annual Safety Fair May 24.