Chugiak-Eagle River/Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson has the highest percentage of active duty and veterans in Alaska and the area garnered more of its share of service academy nominations from the state’s congressional delegation.
Senators on Tuesday approved a defense spending bill that prohibits the Department of Defense from studying base closures in Alaska through 2020.
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan praised the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in a Tuesday statement. Sen. Sullivan, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the bill “provides support for Alaska’s military priorities.”
The DOD did not seek any Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions this year, but the new bill would specifically prohibit them in 2020.
A Veterans Day ceremony on base will be held Monday morning at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The ceremony is open to the public and service members are encouraged to wear their dress uniforms. The ceremony is typically attended by numerous dignitaries; last year, Vice President Mike Pence visited the event.
The keynote speaker will be Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard.
The Fort Richardson gate will open to the public at 9 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m.
Army officials said Thursday that 23 paratroopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division were hospitalized after 87 soldiers landed in trees Wednesday night during a training jump at Fort Shelby, Mississippi.
Many of the paratroopers landed high in trees and needed several hours to be recovered. The Army said all will recover, with the most serious injury being a broken back. Most of the soldiers taken to the hospital had been released by Thursday afternoon.
The “Spartan” brigade is based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The 2010 Eagle River High School graduate and current U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class was recently featured in a profile by the Navy’s American Connections Media Outreach blog, which highlights the work of sailors for their local communities. An aviation electrician’s mate with the Navy’s HSM 71 squadron, Wood is responsible for helping keep the Navy’s MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter in the air.
One of Alaska’s most vet-friendly towns now has a highly visible symbol of its support for the armed forces.
A joint effort of the local chamber of commerce, garden club and numerous service organizations raised more than $11,000 to bring a giant steel star and Blue Star Memorial sign to Chief Alex Park alongside the Old Glenn Highway. The 15-by-15-foot steel star was filled with red, white and blue flowers Tuesday.
The guest of honor was resplendent in a bright red dress and a pair black flats she picked out several days before the party.
As she sat surrounded by piles of birthday cards sent from around the world — and fresh off a phone call from U.S. congressman — the smile on Charlotte Schwid’s face Wednesday was matched in brightness only by the glints of sunlight pouring in through the windows of the Eagle River VFW and bouncing off the “Birthday Girl” tiara she wore atop her flowing locks of silver hair.
Three local Girl Scouts were presented with the group’s highest honor during the Girls Scouts of Alaska’s annual Leadership Luncheon April 18 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage.
Earning Gold Awards were Eagle River’s Kayla Reifel and Allyson Brokaw, along with JBER’s Carolyn Pope. The three were joined by Anchorage’s Quinn White and Petersburg’s Avery Herrman-Sakamoto in receiving the awards.
In order to earn a Gold Award, Girl Scouts must work on a project that addresses a community need.
When military kids grow up and decide to return to their roots and childhood homes, there are multiple locations to claim. While a military retiree myself, I am also a former military brat. At 61-years-old I have felt compelled to return to every base I have ever lived. Although it took me 30 years to return to Fort Richardson; once I did, with my husband and children, I have either lived nearby in Anchorage or visited on a regular basis; however no trip is ever complete without returning to the familiar surroundings on Fort Richardson.
A proposal that would lock up 1,380 acres of municipal parkland from future development in exchange for cash is one step closer to reality after the Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Recreation Department agreed to a memorandum of understanding with an Oklahoma nonprofit funded by the U.S. Army.
