Military Appreciation - 2012

MILITARY Appr eciation

Day

MARCH 31, 2012 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

AT KITSAP PAVILION, KITSAP COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Proudly sponsored by:

Bremerton Area Military Affairs Committee

Chamber of Commerce

Page 2

military appreciation

march 23, 2012

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO

ON MARCH 31ST 2012 WE ARE OFFERING 15% MILITARY DISCOUNT AT THE SILVERDALE STORE. (Not applicable to Firearms, Optics and Electronics. 5% Discount will be applied to these items) Valid only at the Silverdale location. (9577 Ridgetop Blvd NW # 150)

Our Everyday Military Discount Is 5% At Any Of Our USA Locations.

HUNTING. FISHING. CAMPING.

march 23, 2012

military appreciation

Military Appreciation Day 2012

By Jessica Ginet

Military Appreciation Day 2012 will deliver a full day of fun and activities scheduled for the whole military family.

Set for March 31 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, events run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rear Adm. Robert M. Hennegan will be the guest speaker. The revered Navy Band Northwest and the Marine Color Guard will perform with precision for the crowd gathered to show gratitude to the men and women who serve the nation in uniform.

Marine exhibits, military dogs demonstrations and plenty of children’s activities are

scheduled throughout the day.

Holly Wasson will sing the national anthem and shortly after, kids will have a chance to experience a bit of what mom and dad went through in boot camp. The kids’ bootcamp is an interactive camp where parents send their children to learn drills, marching information, running, yelling for fun and doing the most useful exercise in the world – pushups.

Several Kitsap County princesses will be around during the day. They are expected to be dressed as the characters, Snow White, Cinderella and more, providing face painting for the younger attendees.

Caring Clowns International will make balloon characters

PUBLISHER: Sean McDonald EDITOR: Greg Skinner STAFF WRITERS: JJ Swanson & Jessica Ginet PRODUCTION: Bryon Kempf ADVERTISING: 360-308-9161 Copyright 2012 ©Sound Publishing Inc.

for distribution.

More than 70 commercial booths are reserved by local and regional merchants to provide discounts for service members and their families.

“Every single booth is giving away prizes,” said Shane McGraw, a local businessman and disabled veteran. “The military community props us up financially, physically and contributes value to the community. The purpose of the event is to show appreciation for our military men and women and their families.”

Naval Base Fleet and Family Readiness will have an information table at the event with all the departments represented, including sports and fitness specialists.

Military Appreciation Day 2012 comes at an opportune time. With the USS John C. Stennis recently returning to its home port March 2 after a seven month deployment, those who have been abroad and those without their loved ones can enjoy a day in their honor. While serving on the

Page 3

U.S. Navy photo by Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Sabrina Wade Brent

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Mario Caracciolo is presented with a Seattle Seahawks fan jersey and other prizes by three of the Seahawks cheerleaders. Caracciolo also received tickets to the Seahawks Monday Night Football game during a past Military Appreciation Day. USS John C. Stennis, troops supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Pilots on board led the final combat mission of Operation New Dawn in Iraq.

“My personal goal is to have

one day every month as military appreciation day,” McGraw said. “A day with special retail discounts, events and family opportunities for those that serve.”

Page 4

military appreciation

march 23, 2012

How to support our military and veterans 1. Submit a NMAM 2012 Proclamation to your state government representative via mail or email.

2. Fly the flag on your house, car or business.

3. Send a care package to a soldier through USOCARES. 4. Organize an event in your neighborhood or workplace.

5. Ask your elected officials at all levels to recognize the military.

6. Send an email or letter of thanks through amillionthanks.org.

7. Adopt a hero at soldiersangels.com 8. When you see a person in a military uniform, shake their hand and say, “Thanks for serving our country.”

9. Invite a veteran to your Memorial Day barbecue.

10. Hire a veteran or support veteranowned businesses.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Aramis X. Ramirez

Sailors assigned to Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) Anchorage (LPD 23) salute as they pass the main delegation in the Krewe of Zeus Parade, one of many family parades celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the surrounding communities. Anchorage sailors were asked to escort the key parade participants including the queen’s carriage, and the Zeus float as part of a community partnership program coordinated with event organizers and the Anchorage Family Readiness Group.

Old Dominion University is here for you!

march 23, 2012

military appreciation

Welcome home U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott A. McCall

Members of the Navy Band Northwest play on the pier at Naval Base Kitsap during a homecoming celebration for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis returned to homeport after completing a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. John C. Stennis flew more than 1,000 sorties supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and pilots from the ship led the final Navy aviation mission of Operation New Dawn in Iraq.

NBH Corpsman honored in Red Cross

BREMERTON (NNS) – A hospital corpsman from Naval Hospital Bremerton was recognized by the American Red Cross serving King and Kitsap Counties as their recipient of the 2011 Military award March 1.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Marvin Belanio was honored for his life-saving efforts at rendering emergency first aid on an airline flight at the 13th Annual Real Heroes Breakfast that drew a packed-crowd of civic and community leaders.

“I’m surprised and humbled by being recognized for doing something that any corpsman would have done in such a situation,” said Belanio, Leading Petty Officer for NHB’s Bio Medical Repair division.

Belanio was returning last May to NHB from a fiscal logistics symposium in Maryland aboard a Delta Airlines flight.

Just as he put his headphones on and began to relax for the five hour flight, he heard a thump on the plane’s floor. Looking ahead a few rows, he spotted a gentleman lying on the floor. The fellow passenger had collapsed, and just as Belanio started towards the man, the flight crew was calling for assistance from a doctor, or anybody with medical experience. A quick look around confirmed to Belanio that he was the only one qualified to handle the situation.

Once Belanio had maneuvered into position to reach and handle the downed patient, he swiftly carried out a rapid assessment and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that resuscitated the passenger.

“I did the ‘look-listen-feel’ and received no response. I started the CPR which got his breathing back,” Belanio said.

For the remainder of the flight, Belanio continued to assess and monitor the pas-

senger.

Upon arriving in Seattle, Belanio briefed the emergency responders waiting to take over, was personally thanked by the flight crew and passengers, and was later awarded a free flight and bottle of champagne from Delta Airlines.

“HM1 Belanio has experience in combat caring for Marines and Sailors. He’s a stand-up guy who always does the right thing. He has earned the right to be called ‘doc’ by his Marines, which is the highest honor for a hospital corpsman. What he did on that flight to help just showed why he is a ‘doc’,” said Smith.

“I really don’t consider myself a hero, but my wife Michelle does tell our 2-year old that ‘daddy is a hero,’ and it is pleasing that she thinks that. My parents are also very happy and proud,” said Belanio, a Washington native and 13-year Navy veteran, with a background in emergency care. Belanio has served two tours in Iraq with Marine units as well as taught trauma support courses such as Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training.

The American Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast celebrates extraordinary acts of courage and compassion by Kitsap County and North Mason County heroes, with those honored being chosen from hundreds of applications by a selection committee. Each Real Hero from the greater Kitsap Peninsula had a special tribute for their respective acts of heroism which included such areas as; Good Samaritan, animal rescue, call to action, law enforcement, fire rescue, good neighbor, medical, preparedness, water rescue and military.

State Legislature pays tribute to Navy OLYMPIA (NNS) – The state of Washington honored the U.S. Navy at the capitol in Olympia as part of Navy Appreciation Day, Feb. 22.

Government officials convened a special recognition proclamation for service members in the Senate Chamber and in the House Chamber to honor the U.S. Navy.

Musician 3rd Class Sarah Reasner, vocalist from Navy Band Northwest, kicked off the event singing the national anthem in the Senate Chamber.

After opening remarks, Rear Adm. Douglass Biesel, commander, Navy Region Northwest, addressed the senate, praising Washington state’s support of the Navy.

“Thank you Washington state for allowing us here today.” said Biesel. “We could not serve this great country without all of your support. We rely on our integration with Washington’s transportation systems, your school systems, and our partnership with the political leaders.”

Biesel then thanked the Senate for supporting bills that benefit the military, specifically the Military Spouse Legislation and the Disposition of Remains Bill.

“This is extremely important as we bring home our fallen heroes,” said Biesel. “We

Page 5

sincerely appreciate the support that you provide to all of us.”

Former Washington Secretary of State Ralph Munro, coordinator of Navy Day, said that this annual event was started in 2003 to connect the state and federal officials with the military leaders.

“We wanted to ensure the leaders know each other on a first name basis so that, as mutual needs arise, issues can be dealt with easily,” said Munro.

Navy officials had an opportunity to tour the legislative building and visit the Senate Caucus and the House of Representatives Caucus.

Navy Band Northwest performed a concert in the Capitol’s Rotunda room where spectators enjoyed live music. Lt. j.g. Robert Coats, director of Navy Band Northwest, said that performing at the state capitol was a privilege.

“I’ve seen pictures of this event the last few years,” said Coats. “I have always hoped for the opportunity to perform at the state capitol.”

The Navy’s presence in the Puget Sound area began more than 150 years ago and is now home to the Navy’s third-largest fleet concentration area.

Moving Military & civilian families since 1923

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY! Agent for Allied Van Lines

Local, Long Distance & International Moving & Storage

SPAETH

Winner of the 1996-2006

1231 Hollis St., Bremerton, WA • www.spaethtransfer.com

DOT# 076235

T R A N S F E R , I N C .

360-373-6101 • 1-800-244-5071

APEX AWARD

for “Excellent” Customer Focus Performance Each quarter for 10 consecutive years

Page 6

military appreciation

march 23, 2012

march 23, 2012

military appreciation

Page 7

JJ Swanson/Staff Photo

A Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Services firefighter climbs the department’s aerial ladder platform to spray hotspots at the Desert Sun fire in Silverdale Jan. 8.

Navy firemen protect Kitsap County

By JJ Swanson jswanson@soundpublishing.com

Naval Base Kitsap’s Federal Fire Department fought side-by-side with the Bremerton Fire Department and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue teams during the Desert Sun tanning salon fire in Silverdale – a three-alarm commercial fire that destroyed six businesses Jan. 8. The Navy provided two aerial ladder platforms to attack the flames from the roof of the building and the crew stayed on until all hotspots were put out, said Kurt Waeschle, assistant chief of Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Services.

“They came right in and they’re part of the team,” said Brian Marceau, firefighter for Bremerton Fire Department. “For big fires, we’re used to having them there.”

Navy firefighters responded to approximately 767 non-base fire calls in the region annually. That means that they are out on at least 2 calls a day outside of the installation fighting fires for the county and city.

The Navy assisted in 35 percent for CKF&R’s 823 fire-related calls and were also present at 148 of Bremerton Fire Department’s fires last year.

Officials at Bremerton Fire Department and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue reported that they could not run the same level of fireresponse without Navy assistance due to budget cuts to their departments this year.

“We’ve had to rely on them quite a bit,” said Chief Al Duke of Bremerton Fire Department.

“I’ve never seen a department fully funded the way they want to be. There’s a limitation to dollars collected.”

Duke explained that his department took a 3.4 percent pay cut across the board in 2012 to maintain their staff. They also lost the assistant fire chief’s position due to the city’s cuts.

Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue also reported a $1.2 million reduction in its funding.

“We did have a reduction in funding and that affects service in all areas,” said Ileana LiMarzi, spokeswoman for the Central Kitsap department. “CKF&R has taken numerous steps to deal with the loss of funds.”

Waeschle explained that Navy fire crews at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor and Bremerton operate under a “mutual agreement” with the county and city.

The Department of Defense requires that the Navy fire department respond to all calls within seven minutes of dispatch. Waeschle said that the Bremerton and Bangor stations responds within this time frame for 90 percent of calls outside the base In addition to man hours, equipment and base water to fight fires around Kitsap County, the Navy also provides hazmat capabilities for city emergencies.

“We’ve used that resource a couple times. It is valuable,” Duke said.

The city and county give back to the Navy by offering “advanced life support” services for the base. Waeschle explained that though all Naval installations have paramedics on hand for basic life support, advanced services are not part of their operations.

$300 Off Your Appraisal

When you apply before May 15, 2012

Financing Your Home Dreams VA Home Loans

When you are ready to purchase a home we’re here to help.

We have the knowledge and expertise in VA loans to successfully guide you through the process. And our VA-approved underwriting staff is in-house. So your loan decisions are made locally, by people you can meet with face-to-face.

KCU VA Loan Benefits 0% Down Payment No Mortgage Insurance Lower Rates Seller May Pay More Closing Costs Disabled Veterans Save Money On VA Fees

Stop by to see us, apply online for a 15 minute pre-approval, or give us a call at (360) 662-2266.

Equal Housing Lender

kitsapcu.org

Page 8

military appreciation

Navy kids get help with local schools

By JJ Swanson jswanson@soundpublishing.com

Children of active duty military could change schools as many as nine times in their young lives. With a new crop of “military brats” that arrived with the the USS Ronald Reagan last December, the Navy Region Northwest school liaison has her job cut out for her.

When a Navy family arrives at their new duty station, their first two questions are almost always “where are my household goods?” and “where are the good schools?” explained Tom Danaher, Navy public affairs officer and former school liaison officer.

The search for the right school and easing the transition of the move are never-ending pursuits for active duty parents, according to Dr. Heather Carrell, Navy Northwest school liaison officer. In the career of one service member, a child may enroll in nine different schools around the world, she said.

Very often new kids join classrooms during the middle of a school year when registration has closed and the curriculum is already in progress.

The Navy Northwest command has no base schools exclusively for Navy students.

“It can really wreck the train,” said Danaher of the stress imposed on families new to navigating military family life.

Though there are no Navy specific schools in the Northwest, kids have Carrell – an advocate for the more than 1,000 military children navigating through five school districts in Kitsap County.

“I support families everywhere, from the north end of Gig Harbor all the way out to Forks. I also provide information on homeschooling, special needs students, and scholarships for college,” said Carrell.

Carrell, who holds a doctorate in special education, has experience working with autistic children, and has served on the school board for the North Kitsap

School District was a major find for the Navy, according to Danaher.

“We looked for a long time because we wanted someone who knew the ropes here, not an outsider. Someone who knew CK, SK, NK, private schools, public, and homeschooling,” said Danaher.

The school districts in Kitsap County are sensitive to military students’ needs, according to Carrell. The officer works regularly with Greg Lynch, superintendent of Central Kitsap School District, to discuss the specific needs of military kids who are attending Central Kitsap schools. Lynch is a retired U.S. Army officer.

The most common administrative problems that military children face when moving are different graduation requirements from school to school and transfer of specific course credits.

Danaher recalled that his sons lost the opportunity for elective credits when moving away from their duty station in San Diego.

“When we moved from Coronado, my boys never forgave me, because there you can get surfing credits,” said Danaher.

Curriculum differs dramatically from state to state as well. An elementary school student learning addition and subtraction may move to a new school whose class has already moved on to division. In addition, a student enrolled in a gifted program at one school may not be able to jump into a similar program at a new school without being retested.

Carrell advocates for military students by informing district schools of the Interstate Compact on the Education of Military Children. The non-binding agreement, which has been signed by 39 states including Washington, is a pledge by school administrators to give special consideration to military children when dealing with transfer records, inclusion in extra-curricular activities, and dates for entrance testing.

For example, a military student might be allowed to be tested for the gifted

program mid-year, so he or she can continue her studies at the new school and not be penalized for having to move.

However, Carrell pointed out that civilian schools can choose whether or not to honor the compact.

“We can’t demand that schools help in these areas, but it helps to know where their efforts are most needed,” said Carrell.

Emotional issues are also something that active duty children must deal with when they enroll in a new school.

“After 2001, active duty families are facing increased deployments and family members asked to do things and go places that they never expected in their careers,” said Carrell.

School counselors at schools throughout Kitsap County are briefed on the specific emotional difficulties students might face during a deployment cycle.

“Sometimes a school might not get it, and the school liaison officer has to translate why certain things are happening and why kids are angry or acting a certain way. And no, we can’t tell you exactly when boats are going in and out,” said Carrell.

Carrell has a mountain of pamphlets, books, materials, and diagrams that illustrate the emotional cycle of deployment, how to talk to children of sailors, and how to recognize signs of distress.

Carrell said that she is amazed at the courage displayed by even the youngest military kids during her school visits.

“Yes, moving is hard, but children are so resilient, and we are really focusing on that, finding their strength and helping support that in our students,” said Carrell.

“Our kids are learning a new social structure. They learn to introduce themselves to a new group of peers, maybe six or seven times, often in the middle of the year when things are already set.

How courageous does that make them as adults?” said Danaher.

Carrell said that high schoolers at the teen centers at Jackson Park and Bangor show a take-charge attitude at almost

march 23, 2012

every social event hosted by the command.

The teen center offers a book which is created by Navy high school students themselves which include all the best places to shop, hang out, eat, skateboard, or play music after school.

At the Friday night socials, coordinators learn right away that these kids don’t need any help networking or entertaining themselves, according to Danaher.

“They let us know, that’s not what we came here to do. Right now cooking is really popular, so they’ll get together and start doing that and let us know what they need,” said Carrell.

Families with special-needs children or high schoolers getting ready for college often choose to homestead in the Northwest area.

The command will afford special needs families a number of consecutive tours so that they can be near Naval Hospital Bremerton for care and special education schools while the service member continues their career.

“There doesn’t have to be a school on the base for students to be supported.

We build capacity at the 72 schools in the 5 districts since we can’t be everywhere and work with every student.

The counselors then become the point of contact, and every parent can reach me,” said Carrell.

Carrell geared up to help the new wave of families on the USS Reagan with pre-registration, school selection, childcare, finding homes in school zones, school bus schedules, gifted and special programs, and even post-secondary alternatives like job corps and apprenticeships.

Though it is an immense workload, the liaison officer is invigorated by the flux of new students.

“It feeds my soul to be able to calm the fears of Where will my kid go? Will they fit in? If it’s one less thing for the active duty member to worry about, then I’m happy,” said Carrell.

Your Home Away From Home!

✓ FEATURING NORTHWEST MICRO BREWS ✓ GREAT PUB FARE MILITAR Y DIS of coursCOUNTS ✓ FAMILY FRIENDLY e ✓ LARGE PARTIES WELCOME

$100 Drawings 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm 8 pm and 10 pm

$200 Drawings at Midnight

Expires 4/30/12 • Not valid Mondays

1500 Riddell Road • E. Bremerton Redwood Plaza at Wheaton & Riddell • (360) 377-8322 chipscasinobremerton.com

Mike Hale Founder

“Brewing Since 1983”

HOURS: M-Th 11am-10pm Fri. 11am-11pm Sat 9am-11pm Sun 9am-9pm

a lehouse

AT KITSAP MALL, SILVERDALE

(360) 692-4253 • WWW.HALESALEHOUSE.COM

march 23, 2012

military appreciation

Page 9

Work options improve for licensed spouses

By JJ Swanson jswanson@soundpublishing.com

New state legislation will help military spouses transfer their out-of-state professional licenses so that they have a better shot at employment when they relocate to Washington.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5969 into law on Dec. 20. The bill requires that licensing agencies expedite licenses for military spouses moving to Washington for a new duty station as long as they meet minimum requirements for their profession in another state.

Professions that require licenses or certificates include nurses, engineers, hairdressers, accountants and teachers.

In other words, a nurse from Norfolk can still work as a nurse in Bremerton without waiting through all the red

tape.

Kitsap County military spouses are delighted to hear the news while some licensing agencies are unsure of what specific changes will come.

“This should have been done a long time ago,” said Joey Price, president of the Navy Wives Club No. 46 in Bremerton.

Price, who was a Navy wife for most of her life, moved with her husband to countless duty stations before settling in the county.

She said that licensing obstacles and career mobility shaped her career choices. She took secretarial work as an accountant’s assistant rather than become a certified public accountant because “it was better not to be certified, no licensing worries, you could take that anywhere.”

“It really is a pain for young Navy families moving constantly

from state-to-state,” said Price.

She commented that many families simply can’t afford for the wife to go back to school to re-qualify for a job that she was already doing in another state.

Eva Craven, a Navy spouse from Silverdale, said that she has was limited by licensing when moving to Kitsap County.

Delays in her cosmetology license forced her to take interim work as an aerobics instructor and sales clerk during the holidays.

“I’m a cosmetologist, but I couldn’t take my first job with me. I knew I didn’t want to be jobless when moved here; back then we really needed the money,” said Craven.

Two incomes are becoming increasingly important for the military family, according to Deborah Delisle,

Thank You For Your Service!

All Styles & Cuts Hot Towels & Shaves Open Seven Days A Week!

Pool Table • Internet Access Free Coffee • Game Station and Pac-Man Silverdale • 9985 Silverdale Way (Next to Arby’s & Bank of America) • 360-692-8030 Port Orchard • 1948 SE Lund #109 (Bethel Safeway (near West Coast Fitness • 360-876-3333

www.mensclubbarbershop.com

National Military Family coordinator.

“And aside from the money, which is important, some spouses also need to work on their careers when their husband is deployed, even for their own feeling of selfworth and self-esteem,” said Delisle.

The major licensing agencies in Washington state have pledged to expedite military licenses and some already have reciprocity in place, according to Mark San Souci, Northwest Region Liaison for the Department of Defense.

Nurses work ing at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton are licensed through the state’s Department of Health which had a deadline of March 13 to make licensing considerations for military spouses in health care professions, according to Bob Nicoloff, executive director of the department.

“Starting now, we’ll be looking at the process for each type of license and evaluate if changes need to be made,” said Nicoloff.

What the specific changes may be remains

the question.

“As far as the nursing commission goes, we are already expedited.

It’s unclear how we can be more expeditious,” said Terry West, deputy executive director of the Washington state Nursing Commission.

One change that the department is considering is adding an extra check box on their applications to identify the applicant as a military spouse so that “they can be put at the top of the pile for nursing licenses,” according to West.

Computer on the fritz?

free DiAGnoStiCS! We’ll come to the rescue!

w/military I.D.. Expires 4/31/12 Running Slow? Virus? Call Us!

360.377.6389

5050 ST Hwy. 303 NE • Suite 117a E. Bremerton (In the Fred Meyer Shopping Center)

T

k n ha

for

ing v r e s

ry unt o c ur

o

Central Kitsap Reporter Bremerton Patriot

u o Y

We Salute the men and women in uniform and their families.

Veterans Life North Kitsap Herald

Port Orchard Independent Bainbridge Island Review

Employment Opportunities... at your Fingertips!

Visit www.nw-ads.com or see today’s Classified Section

Page 10

military appreciation

march 23, 2012

Local woman coupons for sailors

By JJ Swanson jswanson@soundpublishing.com

Don’t call Evelyn Hamm an extreme couponer.

Although she has been known to pack her car trunk full of groceries for only $10, she doesn’t consider herself to be like the ladies on the popular TLC reality show.

“Some of those people have a basement filled with $30,000 of overstock stuff from couponing,” said Hamm.

“That’s a little ridiculous to me.”

Hamm targets her coupon skills towards a more altruistic endeavor – gathering basic toiletries for sailors aboard aircraft carriers and Trident II submarines deployed out of Naval Base Kitsap Bangor.

She sends three or four care packages a week for pennies on the dollar.

The former Navy wife explained that the link between coupons and patriotism started when her brother deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with the Air Force. Hamm wanted to send him items that he had forgotten to pack or was running out of such as razors, shaving cream, deodorant and even toilet paper.

She kept her eye out for coupons in local newspapers for specific items that her brother had requested like eye drops. A $4 coupon for Visine allowed her to buy a vial for only 52 cents. The savings inspired her to buy not only for her brother, but his whole division whose eyes were drying out in the desert.

“These guys are making the ultimate sacrifice,” said Hamm. “I thought the least I can do is send them some eye drops to show that I support them.”

Hamm’s care packages expanded to include all the deals she could find with her coupons — deodorant, travel shampoos, razors, toothpaste, shaving cream and snacks.

Even though her family sends up to

JJ Swanson/Staff Photo

Evelyn Hamm and her children Brandon, 9, and Ashley, 11, prepare care packages at their kitchen table for sailors on the USS John C. Stennis. four care packages a week, the project is pretty low impact on their budget thanks to the coupons, said Hamm’s husband Chad, who was once deployed himself.

“I’m glad she does it. I remember what it was like to be in that spot and really miss that stuff from home,” he said. “My favorite thing to get was Red Vines licorice. It reminded me of home.”

Their children Ashley, 11, and Brandon, 9, also decorate the boxes and include letters and drawings for the sailors. The last box had smiley faces drawn all over the outside and a message, “filled with love.”

“The most exciting thing is getting those little letters from people you don’t even know,” said Brandon Raile, public affairs officer for Commander Naval Air Forces in San Diego.

However, toiletries are not neces-

SAVE AT THE BANGOR NAVY LODGE Invite your relatives to see your new station

sarily in huge demand on aircraft carriers, Raile said. Since those boats go out pretty well-stocked compared to submarines or ground troops. On carriers, care packages that have a “taste of home” with homemade cookies, magazines, letters and games are more popular than essentials.

There can also be too much of a good thing.

“In 2003 at the start of the war in Iraq, word got back to the states that our guys needed wet wipes,” Raile said.

“It blew up into everybody sending wet wipes. We had so many wipes coming through the mail that actual mail wasn’t making it anymore!”

Sending packages is not always so easy and though Hamm tries to serve the sailors aboard the nation’s nuclear deterrent fleet out of Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, she bumps up against security concerns which often throw up red tape

From one generation to another...

We appreciate all you do!

before her care packages.

“Bangor public affairs is so tightlipped about who is gone,” said Hamm.

“I understand that they have to be, but I keep trying anyway. I have to help somebody.”

Sub Group 9 has turned Hamm away several times for security reasons. The USS Jimmy Carter said that they do not receive care packages outside of designated drops for families.

“Submarine guys are the hardest to reach because they never come up,” said Hamm. “I hate being told ‘no.’”

Hamm finds ways around blockades by putting out Facebook messages to Navy wives on the boat’s page. Wives or girlfriends will send her a private message, without compromising the boat’s location, and she will arrange packages for them to send.

When exact addresses become a problem, Hamm simply addresses her packages to a certain department number with a note instructing the command to “pass around” the contents to all sailors in that division.

Recipients of Hamm’s packages on the USS Stennis have written her back with thanks and photos of themselves on the boat. One enlisted sailor wrote that his mother had recently passed away and he had not gotten a care package in a while. A package from an unknown family with drawings from her children “warmed his heart” and made him feel like he wasn’t alone in the world.

With the USS Reagan’s December arrival at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Hamm is gearing up for even more care packages. She has over 500 disposable razors ready to go along with travel size shampoos and deodorants. Using coupons, she bought everything at only the cost of sales tax.

Hamm is looking to recruit fellow Navy wives, especially those newcomers on the USS Reagan, to get involved with the project and start sharing deals for the troops.

WE WELCOME ALL MILITARY FAMILIES! Visit Our Booth To Get Your Military Specials!

Make your reservations

today!

• GASOLINE!

• Food Court • Party Platters • Gourmet Deli • Rotisserie Chicken

• Fresh Bakery • Fresh Meat • Fresh Produce • Tire Center • 1 Hour Photo

• Optical • Hearing Aid Center • Pharmacy

“Dedicated to your Dental & Denture needs”

360-779-1566

www.andersondenturedental.com 800-NAVY-INN (628-9466)

www.navy-lodge.com

Call us today for your FREE new patient consultation and oral exam.* (*Ex-rays excluded, must show military ID, present ad.)

SILVERDALE

10000 Mickelberry Rd. NW, Silverdale, WA 98383 (360) 360-308-2123 office • (360) 692-3384 fax

march 23, 2012

military appreciation

NEW homes make

cents!

Page 11

Best Housing Market in Years Now is the Time to Buy!

Are home prices at the bottom?

A number of important factors indicate the housing market has bottomed out and prices will soon start to rise.

First, the supply of homes for sale is decreasing.

The flood of foreclosed homes is abating. A substantial portion of the marketable foreclosed homes have been sold, and much of the remaining supply of foreclosures are virtually unmarketable due to deterioration.

Homeowners who are upside down on their mortgages — those who owe more on their home than the current value of their property - are seeing some relief.

Both banks and a new federal program are finally succeeding in adjusting both the interest rate and loan principal balance to keep upside-down homeowners in their homes, thus greatly reducing the potential supply of new foreclosed homes.

The supply of new homes coming onto the market is also at a historic low. New home production this year is around 300,000 to 400,000 units, compared to a normal year of 1.2 million.

On the other side, demand for new homes is increasing.

Buyers are re-entering the market and nationwide sales of both new and re-sale homes are increasing.

The Northwest region is also showing a steady increase in home sales, with many areas also showing rising home prices.

There is also signs of pent-up demand for homes. The potential “pool” of homebuyers is expected to be historically large, as home buying for the last three to four years has been less than 50 percent of normal.

Another factor: Interest rates are at historic lows.

Why rent when you can own?

The Federal Reserve System, led by Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, has driven down and kept interest rates down by buying massive amounts of U.S. Treasury Notes, which causes lower interest rates.

Low interest rates will end with rising prices, however. The Federal Reserve’s policy of keeping rates low will end as prices rise with the improving economy.

As the economy improves, Federal Reserve policy will shift to measured increases in interest rates to keep the inflation rate low, while still allowing steady economic growth.

In the Northwest area, the combination of interest rates of about 4 percent and home prices down 30 percent from their high has resulted in the lowest monthly payments as a proportion of the median household income in a generation.

Homes priced at $250,000 or lower, with home loans near 4 percent, will have monthly payments similar to rising home/apartment rental rates.

Another good sign for buying now; the economy is growing.

Stock market indexes have been gaining. This is the best indicator that the economy has been improving steadily from its low point of the Great Recession.

There have also been gains in employment gains. The economy has been consistently been adding substantial numbers of jobs over the last year.

Meanwhile, consumer demand continues to increase. The overall demand for goods and services has been increasing for at least two years and has sharply increased in durable goods, such as automobiles that shows consumer confidence in “longer-term purchase commitments.”

Given these economic trends, the housing market is expected to soon see rising prices, so now is the best time to buy.

Historic low interest rates!

CHATEAU RIDGE POULSBO, WASHINGTON

• Perfect for military families, close to Bangor & Keyport • Several lots with sweeping mountain views of the Olympic Mountains • Walk to area schools and Central Market • 8 Unique floorplans to choose from designed by the builder • Incredible opportunity now with prices from $209,000

QuadrantHomes.com I 360.394.8250 *$500 Moves You In program financing is available through Quadrant Home Loans. Buyer must meet Quadrant Homes' and Quadrant Homes Loans' qualifications for participation in the program. Other attractive financing programs are available, with minimal down payments. See Community Sales Manager for $500 Moves You In program options, details and requirements, and other financing choices. Prices and availability subject to change without notice. © 2001-2012 The Quadrant Corporation. All Rights Reserved. “Quadrant Homes” and “Built Your Way.” are registered service marks of The Quadrant Corporation.

Karen Bazar, Realtor John L. Scott, Poulsbo (360) 981-0098 karenbazar@johnlscott.com VA & FHA financing available, call for details!

PoulsboChateauRidge.com

Page 12

military appreciation

THANK THANKYOU YOU forfor SERVING SERVING OUR OUR COUNTRY COUNTRY

Harrison Harrison Medical Medical Center Center salutes salutes the the men men andand women women in uniform in uniform andand their their families families on Military on Military Appreciation Appreciation DayDay 2011—and 2011—and every every day.day.

Choose Choose well. well.

Referral Referral & Information & Information 866-844-WELL 866-844-WELL

march 23, 2012