Soldiers and female volunteers, wearing "hostess" ribbons, gather around the piano on March 10, 1951 for a song fest at the United Churches Service Center, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The young lady atop the piano sings loud and clear as she wears a borrowed serviceman's hat. The center offered recreational services for soldiers stationed in the Tacoma area.

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Pianos; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma); Korean War, 1950-1953--Social aspects--Tacoma; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel;

Intersection at Ft. Lewis for Farmers Insurance. At the center of the picture is the Post Transportation Offices, to its left is the Baggage Room. The street sign reads Pendleton Ave.

Military camps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Intersection at Ft. Lewis for Farmers Insurance. In the center of the picture is the Red Cross field office. To the left of the field office is the Post Exchange. A sign in front of the field office points to the left, the direction of the Reserve Headquarters.

Military camps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

The Red Cross Field office on an intersection at Fort Lewis, for Farmers Insurance. A sign in the front points left, the direction of Reserve Headquarters. TPL-10399

Military camps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

The main gate at Fort Lewis for Farmers Insurance. The sign for the Transportation Center is to the left of the main street. The post school appears to be to the right. This 91,000 acre military encampment was "born" Jan. 6, 1917 when citizens of Pierce County voted a $2 million bond issue to purchase the land to be given to the army. It was the entry point for most army recruits stationed in the west, they came to Fort Lewis for training prior to their final assignments. TPL-8310

Military camps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Members of the Radio Club of Tacoma, Inc. The Tacoma Club was one of the oldest radio clubs in the US, having been organized and in continuous operation for more than 35 years.The Club was relied on heavily by the Communications Division of Civil Defense and expected to facilitate communication in the case of an emergency. The Club members were fully trained and licensed amateur radio operators. The Club owned its own equipment consisting of two complete transmitting and receiving stations, one used for Civil Defense emergencies and one for Red Cross emergencies. In addition, they owned four auxiliary lighting units for nighttime emergencies and 15 members had mobile communication units in their cars. The emergency frequency band used by the Club was monitored 18 hours a day by Mrs. Irma Aufang. The constant monitoring was made possible by a "squelch" receiver, developed by Max Bice and Dick Engh- engineers at KTNT. The receiver remained silent unless activated by the "squelch" receiver signal initiated by an emergency. Members are- back row, left to right: Ernest Ripola, Roy Devigh, Sid Sowers, Engh, Dale Cook, Alex Braidwood, President of the Club, Richard McDonald & Art Paul. Row behind transmitters: Ray Estep, Bruce Ross, Dr. F.C.J. Spike, Charles Emigh & Walt King. Seated: Mrs. Aufang. In front of transmitters: Charles Aufang, Tacoma Emergency Co-ordinator, Bice, Cliff Osborne, Jr., Gene Dodge & Ralph Upright. (TNT 4/29/1951, pg. A-19)

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Radio Club of Tacoma, Inc. (Tacoma); Aufang, Irma; Bice, Max; Engh, Dick; Braidwood, Alex; Aufang, Charles;

Military marching in formation during the May, 1951, Armed Forces Day parade. Spectators line the downtown streets to watch examples of America's military might pass by. In 1951, Armed Forces Day was only two years old, having been created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five military branches.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day;

The Armed Forces Day parade in downtown Tacoma occurred on May 19, 1951. Sailors with rifles march in formation followed by a group of Army or Air Force men.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sailors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day;

As shadows edge out into Pacific Avenue, they blend with the marching military units and vehicles during the 1951 Armed Forces Day parade. Everyone has paused, perhaps for the start of the parade. Honor guard is at front, followed by large groups of soldiers and other servicemen.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Armed Forces Day parade marching down Pacific Avenue in May of 1951. Prominent buildings on the left include the Rust Building and (Old) City Hall. Puget Sound National Bank Building is on the right. The Seaforth Highlanders from Vancouver, B.C., (lower center) provide pipe and drum entertainment for the crowds. Besides the various marching military units, jeeps and other vehicles were present.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching bands--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rust Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949, a single day set aside for festivities thanking our men in uniform for their duty to our country. During this 1951 Armed Forces Day parade, three units are seen as they prepare to turn from 9th Street onto Pacific Avenue. The Seaforth Highlanders from Vancouver, B.C., Canada's championship pipe and drum band, turn the corner while two military units follow. Vern's Sandwich Shop is seen on the corner.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Marching bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pipes (Musical instruments); Bagpipes;

Nightime portrait across from bus terminal of group of seven servicemen standing beside Richards Studio photographers' station wagon. Taken for Hollis Sharpe, 770th A.A.A., Fort Lewis, on May 30, 1951.

Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A portrait of a young soldier in his US Army uniform taken at the Post Studios.

Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel; Military uniforms--United States; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Crates of airplane parts look ready to be transported in a photograph taken at Fort Lewis's Gray Field on November 9, 1951. View of worker standing amidst crates of varying shapes and sizes in airport hangar. Photograph commissioned by Lyon Van & Storage.

Fort Lewis Gray Field (Wash.); Hangars--Fort Lewis; Lyon Van & Storage (Tacoma); Crates--Fort Lewis; Shipping--Fort Lewis;

The interior of one of the kitchens at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Sinks are set below the windows along the far wall. The floor is covered with tile for ease of cleaning. Metal counters and stacked baking pans are seen to the right of center.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The interior of one of the kitchens at the Veterans Administration Hospital located in a quonset-style building. Refrigerators stand against the left wall with boxes of straws sitting on top. A worktable and stove stand in the middle of the room. A row of spice boxes are seen along the right edge of the work table. Dish washing equipment lines the right wall. Storage areas have been provided in the back for utensils and canned goods.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

An interior view at the Veterans Administration Hospital at American Lake showing two gurneys against the windows, a folding screen at the left and a few other pieces of hospital equipment. TPL-10388

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Medical equipment & supplies;

An interior view at the Veterans Administration Hospital at American Lake showing an entrance and lobby area. A few lockers stand along the left, a coat rack stands by the door and a few supplies and a rolling cart are seen along the right hand wall.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The interior of a quonset-style building at the Veterans Administration Hospital that serves as a snack bar and gift store. Fountain service is available at the counter on the left and an ice cream soda costs 20 cents. A rack filled with luggage is seen along the right wall.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Snack bars--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood;

An interior view at the Veterans Administration Hospital at American Lake showing an office with two desks, a typewriter, telephone and a rolling cart with patient records. A window at the far end of the narrow office has been covered with a protective wire mesh.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Offices--Lakewood; Office furniture; Typewriters; Telephones;

Three men in military uniforms.

Military uniforms--United States--1950-1960;

The interior of the remodeled Canteen at Veteran's Administration Hospital. A gift shop has been added in the quanset-hut style building with film, clocks, and suitcases on the right and magazines and mens' clothing on the left.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood;

Remodeled Canteen Building at Veteran's Administration Hospital. Interior of Quanset Hut type building showing dining area with vinyl and chrome chairs and laminated plastic and chrome pedestal tables.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood; Snack bars--Lakewood;

A snack bar was included in the Canteen at Veteran's Administration Hospital. A soda fountain and hospital store are seen off a central hallway through the quanset-hut style building. The reflective, curved ceiling material was joined by numerous connections. TPL-8215

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood; Snack bars--Lakewood; Soda fountains--Lakewood;

The interior of the barbershop in the remodeled Canteen at Veteran's Administration Hospital. The Canteen was in a quanset-hut style building on the hospital grounds. The barbershop has been furnished with an older-style barber's chair, round mirrors over the cabinets, and side-chairs in the waiting area. Hair tonic and other toiletries line the counter behind the barber's chair and a cash register sits on the other cabinet.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Barbershops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Cash registers;

New barracks for the new regimental areas at Fort Lewis are under construction. Reinforcing steel from Bethlehem Steel is being used in the concrete walls. The over-all project included a school, utilities, fire station, two large motor pools and other shops. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. (TNT, 11/9/1952, p.C-15) TPL-10392

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

Two workmen are installing steel rebar in the plywood forms for the reinforced concrete walls for the new barracks at Fort Lewis. The reinforcing steel came from Bethlehem Steel. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

At least three new barracks are under construction for the new regimental areas at Fort Lewis. This view shows three barracks buildings, a crane and the several smaller buildings and automobiles scattered around the work site. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. TPL-10393

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

This view of the construction of the new barracks at Fort Lewis shows the reinforcing steel from Bethlehem Steel used in the foundation floor. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

Pvts. Thomas Bennett, Duane Yenior and Clayton Palmer are shown relaxing at the North Fort Lewis Army Personnel Center in early February, 1953. Colleen Kelly, program director for Service Club #3, holds a selection from the Center's well-stocked library of records. Service Club #3 was just one of several service clubs on base; they offered planned entertainment each evening including dances and movies. The Army Personnel Center started operations this month at North Fort Lewis after its transfer from Fort Lawton. Commanded by Col. Edward Schmitt, it handles thousands of inductees and personnel to be assigned to the Far East. (TNT 2-17-53, p. 7) TPL-10394

Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kelly, Colleen; US Army Service Clubs (Tacoma); Phonographs; Sound recordings; Fireplaces;