Veteran Spotlight: Ed Sibbits, Sr.

By Clare Jensen

For Puyallup Tribal News
cjensen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: November 27, 2008

Kaiserslautern, Germany: 1972-1975

Yokosuka, Japan: 1978-1980

Ed Sibbits received a draft letter during the Vietnam War, and in order to avoid being sent into battle he enlisted in the Army before they had a chance to ship him off.

At 19 years old, Ed Sibbits went to basic training at Fort Ord in California and advanced individual training at Fort Lee in Virginia. He was then deployed to Kaiserslautern, Germany, where he spent two-and-a-half years in the 541st Cable Construction Company. His mission while in Germany was to maintain the arms room on base.

In 1975 he was discharged and he returned to Washington at 22 years old. After three years of civilian life, Ed Sibbits went back to serve his country.

“In 1978, I got the bug to join the Navy,” he said.

He was stationed for two years in Yokosuka, Japan, where he worked overseeing supplies and ordering.

In 1994, Ed Sibbits began his career working for the Tribe. He started as a security guard at Chinook Landing, and now is a special agent for Tribal Gaming.

He helps oversee gaming regulations for B.J.’s Bingo, and both Emerald Queen Casino locations.

His schedule allows him to work Sunday through Wednesday, which means he has the weekends to spend with his family, his wife Debora, and four children, Sarah, Aaron, Hannah and Ed Jr.

“I guess I’m a family man,” he said.

Ed Sibbits continues serving his community by working as a school board member for Chief Leschi Schools and helping coach Ed Jr.’s various youth sports teams.

Ed Sibbits also enjoys bowling. He is part of a bowling league at Narrows bowling alley, and has an average score of 172.

Ed Sibbits and his family live in Tacoma, and have three dogs. He plans to continue working as a special agent for the Tribe for as long as he is able.

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