Reply #12: Back in the day, North Ft. Lewis had a MARS outfit...

[chknltl]

This was some sort of communications outfit, not sure what the acronym M.A.R.S. stood for though.
If your BIL is at all into frisbee golf, let me know and I will be more than happy to take him out on our Steilacoom course. :http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/parks/discgolf.htm That is my preferred form of recreation. There are thousands of disc-golf courses in America and at one point ours was rated at ninth best in the nation! (There is a course on Ft. Lewis, 18 holes I think but I am not sure how maintained it is these days)

Hiking, boating, kayaking, skiing and camping are all common recreations up here. Tacoma has some fine restaurants and a bit of a nightlife, Armed Service folks are encouraged and welcomed in all. Ft. Lewis has McChord Air Force base on its north-eastern boundary and Bremerton Naval Shipyards is not so far off either. Tacoma gets visitors from all three with many retirees calling this city home.

I suspect your BIL will come to love it up here.