Having been in the mattress manufacturing business since 1987, Ray Burgess exactly what it takes to deliver a good night’s sleep.
And he takes great pride in providing that service for military members at installations all across the country.
Burgess and his company, Mattress Makers, were introduced to doing business with the federal government about six years ago when Fort Lewis officials needed a quick turnaround on a large order of mattresses for the barracks.
“It was about getting (the mattresses) to them before a bunch of troops got home,” said Burgess, 59.
Burgess and his Tacoma based team delivered on the order, taking the first step in a relationship with the government that has been a great thing for both parties.
“It’s been a real good fit for my company,” said Burgess, who estimates about half of the 10,000 to 15,000 mattresses Mattress Makers manufactured last year went to the U. S. military.
The one order with Fort Lewis opened the door for Mattress Makers manufacturing mattresses for troops at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Fort Lee, N.J., Hickam Air Force Base, Hi., Joint Base Lewis-McChord and West Point Military Academy.
“We try to make them the best mattress we can,” Burgess said. “It’s about that because they do a good job for us. We need to be responsible for keeping their standard of living at a high level. When they’re in the states at their home base, they should have the best (mattress) we can give them. That’s very important to me.”
Burgess said he’s lucky to have a crew of about 14 workers who understand the value of where the mattresses are going.
“They’re a good bunch,” he said. “Without them, I couldn’t do it.”
Mattress Makers (www.mattress-makers.com) specializes in custom-made mattresses and operates a manufacturing warehouse in the Tacoma Tideflats and a retail store in Parkland, located at 11122 Pacific Ave S.
— Tyler Hemstreet
The Air Mobility Command Rodeo will bring a host of visitors to McChord Field in July who are unfamiliar with the local area.
Many will want to venture outside the gate to check out all the entertainment venues the South Sound has to offer.
And Airmen Against Drunk Driving will be ready to offer its assistance when called upon.
The program recently received a huge boost, as Lakewood Ford offered to donate the use of a second van for AADD to use throughout Rodeo.
"I'm a veteran, and we have a lot of veterans who work here," said Henry Krebs, general manager at Lakewood Ford. "If I can do something for the base that's going to help them out without breaking the bank, then I'm more than happy to help."
AADD volunteers man a phone line (253-722-AADD) that Airmen can call for a ride home (within a 30-mile radius of McChord Field) when they've had too much to drink.
The program is completely confidential.
Lakewood Ford donated another van last July for the program to use, and the Pierce Military Business Alliance, McChord Officers' Spouses Club and local Air Force Association chapter teamed up to pay for the insurance for a year.
AADD officials adorned the vehicle with the program's logo and parked on base in several locations to spread the word about the program. Program volunteers have also spoken at briefings all over the base.
The extra publicity is working, according to Master Sgt. Phillip Ryan, AADD president.
The program has received a 45 percent increase in calls since it started a more active outreach to the base population, Ryan said.
Officials also changed some of the program's staffing methods so it could operate more efficiently and yet still be there for Airmen who need a ride.
"Volunteers being on call 24/7 was just not sustainable, and it wasn't needed," Ryan said. "Now we operate on four shifts during peak times."
Starting July 1, AADD will add another incentive for Airmen to call for a ride before making a bad decision. AADD will staff additional volunteers to come and not only pick up Airmen, but also have an AADD volunteer drive their car home.
"Sometimes they don't call for a ride because they don't want to leave their car overnight," Ryan said. "This change will help solve that problem."
Ryan has already added extra volunteers in anticipation of the extra surge in usage.
"The end result is a good thing," he said. "Airmen getting home safely."
Recently the WA State Employment Security Department and other local economic development organizations, was awarded a sizeable National Emergency Grant in the amount of $4.8 million dollars though the Department of Labor, which made the grant available as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure action which began in 2005. The majority of the grant will help 825 displaced military spouses who relocated to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) with their husbands or wives to find work and start new careers in Pierce and Thurston Counties. Provided services will include career coaching, job training, support services and employment linkage. A portion of the funds will also be utilized to assist in identifying skill gaps in new and emerging industries critical to the economic growth of both counties surrounding the base. The program, which will be run on a local level by WorkForce Central, the workforce investment board for Pierce County, and the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council and the workforce investment board for Thurston County, is on track to enroll 825 individuals over the summer. SEE THE REST OF THE STORY HERE
 On Sunday, October 16, the Ranger and NW Airlifter newspapers will host another FREE event for local military...but this one is specifically for the children. A Salute to the Unsung Heroes will honor the children of military, many of whom have spent years of their young lives with an absent parent due to routine deployments. "We feel that the children of military sacrifice so much and they really have no choice in the matter," said publisher Ken Swarner. "Its time to honor them." This past February, Swarner and his staff hosted Operation Baby Shower to coincide with the start of the baby boom on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The highly attended event - it welcomed close 950 attendees - "The goal is to throw a big party for these kids," he said. "And show them we appreciate what they give up." Luckily since the event will once again be held at the St. Martin's University Pavilion, 5300 Pacific Avenue SE in Lacey, there will be enough room to accommodate the festivities. The event will feature gaming stations, free pizza and other kid-centric activities and attractions. Military ID will be required at the door for entry but there is no admission and everything inside will be free to the families and children. Sponsors are still being recruited for the event and they are looking for kid-friendly organizations and businesses that want to come out and show their support, from food vendors to entertainers, as well as those willing to donate prizes and give-a-ways. Interested sponsors or volunteers should send an email to Swarner at publisher@ftlewisranger.com. Remember, spots are limited and those who are donating can be at the event at no cost. Stay tuned for updates and event signups later this summer on www.northwestmilitary.com.
Look above and you'll see a couple new pages to this site. In our efforts to help local military spouses, we have started two sites for job searching and home based businesses. We hope these provide the assistance our local military spouses need to get a job and/or grow their home based businesses. If you are an employer, please consider participating in our work by recommending jobs and othe ropportunities. Send your contributions here.
From the Tacoma Chamber...You and your special guest (spouse, significant other, associate) are cordially invited to host the Chamber’s annual Evergreen Fleet Cruise, June 15, sponsored by America’s Credit Union, Harborstone Credit Union, Regence and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. The purpose of the Evergreen Fleet Cruise is to foster networking and community links between civilian and military leaders. The Cruise, presented by the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee, in collaboration with the Tacoma Yacht Club, is a cruise of Puget Sound aboard private yachts and a picnic at the Club’s Wollochet Bay Outstation.This year will again feature a welcoming reception. The purpose of this reception is to afford participants an opportunity to meet in a comfortable atmosphere prior to beginning the Cruise by 10:00 a.m. The reception will be between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00.m. at the Tacoma Yacht Club. Arrival time at the reception is permitted to be variable. Yachts will depart no later than 10:00 a.m.Please refer to the enclosed invitation for more information. The Chamber wishes to have all participants confirmed by June 6nd. Please consider, call Gary Brackett, at 253/627-2175.
On 25 April, LTC Robbings, 201st BfSB from JBLM had the privilege to attend the presentation of the DoD Patriot Award to the Gig Harbor Fire Department for their support to a mobilized fire fighter who is serving as a National Guard Captain in the Philippines.Some basic info about the award:
SEE REST OF STORY HERE
 FROM THE HOMETOWN CLIPPER Early last year, the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) announced that it would be expanding its reach by forming five satellite subchapters in the towns and cities surrounding Joint Base Lewis-McChord. At the time, the main chapter had 1,200 members and was growing, so the hope was that the subchapters would help to educate the public on a more local level about the Army and then consistently garner support for those serving in uniform. Ken Swarner, who publishes the Ranger newspaper, has resided in DuPont for 13 years and was happy to take the reins as the president of the DuPont subchapter. "DuPont is the gateway to Ft Lewis, so it was a logical place to launch a subchapter," said Steilacoom resident Denise Dhane, who is serving as the subchapter's vice president and co-owns Dhane Orthodontics in DuPont. "This community has stuck by these troops through thick and thin, and I know they will continue to," she said with a smile, alluding to the Operation Make a Soldier Smile organization, which she founded. "Its like our subchapter has been around doing this job for years now!"
SEE REST OF STORY HERE
Sorry for the commercial message here, but we've had a few requests for info about this year's Rodeo competition at McChord. Yes, you can place "Go Team McChord" ads of support in the Rodeo Guide which we publish (in mid-July), which is distributed inside the NW Airlifter newspaper at McChord, as well as at certain Rodeo events and in the local hotels. The Airmen at McChord appreciate the support - they love to see how the local community is pulling for them during this international competition. Your support ad reflects well on you, the command and the community. To learn more about Rodeo, click here. To place a support ad, call (253) 584-1212.
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