Mike Salsbury/The Olympian
Staff Sgt. George Pegues spends the afternoon with his wife, Nakia, and children (from left) Giovanni, Jerrell, LeMonte and George. He came home earlier than usual from work at Fort Lewis.

Soldier's family finds new home

Housing shortage becomes opportunity for new arrivals

Orginally published August 15, 2001

A few short minutes after leaving a short day at work with Fort Lewis' 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Staff Sgt. George Pegues can be found at home enjoying the afternoon in the apartment he rents with his family just a few blocks from River Ridge High School.

The four boys, ranging in age from 3 to 10, surround a large-screen television that's now sounding video-game tunes that correspond to the rapid push of a button.

Mom and dad watch the boys from the living room sofa while they point out the irony that brought them to the city they are now happy to call home.

"We got lucky, we think," Pegues says.

The Pegues family initially hoped to be assigned to Fort Lewis housing upon their arrival from Hawaii, but they were told they'd have to wait more than a year. They turned to the surrounding communities.

Of the 8,400 soldiers and their families who live off base, 22 percent live in Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater. More than twice as many choose Lakewood, Tacoma or Steilacoom.

"We looked in Lakewood and Tacoma, but we liked it here a lot better," Pegues says.

Nakai Pegues says she likes that many of the other residents in the complex where they live abide by an unofficial 10 p.m. "quiet time" curfew.

"We don't turn on dishwashers, stereos and make any loud noises," she says. "Many are military families, and they have to wake up early."

The Pegues are now considering buying a home in Lacey. They cite nearby community parks and access to shopping as pluses.

"Whenever people at Fort Lewis ask where they should live, I always tell them south is better," Nakai Pegues says. "We like the community."

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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