Swarner Communications launched an online-only magazine this month delivered directly to the emails of singles at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  
This is an opportunity to reach those in the military community more inclined to "pick-up" their news and features electronically than the old-fashioned paper.  To see the magazine, click here.
To sign-up to receive it, go here.

 
The Olympian today has a story explaining exactly how the partnership among government agencies will benefit the military and deal with the growth in the area.
The breakdown of key study areas and recommendations have been covered weekly in the Ranger/Airlifter for the past several weeks.  To see those, click on northwestmilitary.com here, here, here, here, and here.
 
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Swarner Communication's team of event planners met this week to determine its next military support event.  Following on the heels of a successful Baby Shower which gained national media attention (CNN & MSNBC), the media and marketing firm chose the children of local military personnel to honor next.
   "The unsung heroes, these kids have sacrificed as much as anyone - having to grow up with a mom or dad (or both) sent to the warzone one to five times in the past nine years," said Ken Swarner, co-owner. "These kids pack up and move to new towns, having to say good-bye to old friends, challenged to make new ones at the next duty station."
   Experienced in throwing support parties, Swarner said the event will be robust and kid-friendly.
   "We are going to throw them a huge "Thank You" party November 12 - it's our Thanksgiving Message to the entire community - our chance to say Thank You to the thousands of military kids living in our community."
  Swarner invites local business and support organizations to contact him if they'd like to be involved.  Reach him at publisher@ftlewisranger.com.
 
  • The Lacey Chamber of Commerce is organizing an Adopt-a-Unit for the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team at JBLM.
  • Learn how your business can adopt units within the 3-2 SBCT to begin a long term reciprocal relationship of support in the community.   A couple examples would be to invite your assigned unit to your company's activities or they could help you with a community project.  Another example would be to send care packages during long deployments or to take care of the families left behind.  Your amount of involvement depends on you and your assigned unit.    There are different size units to select from:  50 - 100 people (small); 100 - 150 (medium); 150 - 200 (large).   
The Lacey Chamber also expects to  have a similar Adopt-a Squadron program for our Air Force.  
To learn more, email Carlene Joseph at Harborstone Credit Union: Carlene.Joseph@Harborstone.com.
 
There are so many great projects going on right now to support Joint Base Lewis-McChord - things that connect you as a business with soldiers and airmen, and allow you the noble opportunity to support military personnel and their families.  From Lacey to Puyallup, Tacoma to DuPont, a lot of business leaders are making things happen.  This is all part of the Capt. Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army.
Want to get involved?  Attend the next membership meeting March 9, 5 p.m. at the Sharon McGavick Center at Clover Park Voc Tech.  Call Ken Swarner to make a reservation at (253) 584-1212.
If there is one thing you do for your business this year, it's join AUSA.  YOu'll make a dif
 
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The new Internet site, JaBLAM.com - a place for our local military folks to find the military discounts they have so rightly earned - was introduced to the market.
  
 "All over the South Sound, local businesses honor our troops everyday with military discounts, but knowing where those are takes a lot of research," Ken Swarner, co-owner of Swarner Communications said.  "JaBLAM.com now does that work for our troops."

  The site launched this week with over 200 deals.  Those numbers will continue to grow over the next few months.

  Swarner choose a superhero theme for the JaBLAM site.

  "We see our military as superheroes, so it made sense to make one our central figure," Swarner said.  "JaBLAM man will be at events this year handing out balloons to the kids, plus we'll have some contests and other events as well."

   JaBLAM.com will also feature a daily newsletter offering additional military discounts, plus alert military folks to new deals added to the site.  That newsletter begins March 11.  To sign-up for the newsletter, click here.
 
We picked up the most recent numbers on JBLM and the Army as a whole.  Here's what we know:
* The combined Military and Civ. Employees Payroll for JBLM is $3.7 billion.
* 40,115 military members work on JBLM
* 12,029 civilian work there
* 52,100 family members are related to the military pop.
* 86.6% military are male.
* 45% between 17-25 years of age
* 13.7% are officers
* 58% are married
5% married are dual military members
* 70% live off the base
* 43% live in Thurston County
* 10% are in the Lakewood area
* 37% are from DuPont to Tacoma.
4% live in Puyallup.


 
A one-stop calendar for all NW military events is being compiled at northwestmilitary.com to serve as the place for all dates and times of military-related events.  Please contribute your events and help us build a complete calendar for all.
 
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An online only publication for military spouses at Joint Base Lewis-McChord hit the "streets" Friday evening, courtesy of Swarner Communications.  The publication will be uploaded every Monday beginning Feb. 28.  Spouses can sign-up to receive the publication at www.northwestmilitary.com.
 
The 446th Airlift Wing at McChord, the Reserve unit, is inviting area business leaders on a Civic Leaders tour.  They are organizing two half-day tours for those with limited time, plus a signature two-day tour that involves a C-17 flight to another Air Force base in the country.  These tours are both fun and informative.  They are a great way to get to know one of the two wings at McChord.  If you'd like to go, contact Lt. Col. Anna Sullivan at (253) 982-3330.
The 446th was recognized Feb. 2 by Air Force officials with the Meritorious Unit Award for exceptional conduct in performance of outstanding service to the United States in direct support of combat operations from Oct. 1, 2008 to Sept. 30, 2010. This is the second time the 446th AW has been so honored, having garnered the award in 2007 as well.  SEE THE STORY HERE.