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Brigade combat team gets new leader
CSM-Barnes-takes-sword-of-responsibility-of-4th-IBCT-one-last-time
Sgt. Maj. Jerold Pyle passes the sword of responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Barnes during a change of responsibility ceremony Thursday at Fort Stewarts Marne Garden. The sword eventually was presented to Command Sgt. Maj. Brendan P. McIntyre. - photo by Randy C. Martin

The sword of responsibility has been passed, and the Vanguards of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, have a new senior enlisted leader.
The transition was made to Command Sgt. Maj. Brendan P. McIntyre in a formal change of responsibility ceremony Thursday at Fort Stewart’s Marne Garden.
Sgt. Maj. Jerold Pyle, the light-infantry brigade’s operations sergeant major, passed a gold-handled sword in its scabbard to Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Barnes, who in turn passed it to Col. Kimo Gallahue, the 4th IBCT commander, symbolically relinquishing his responsibility for the brigade’s 3,900 enlisted soldiers.
Gallahue then passed the sword and responsibility as senior enlisted soldier for the brigade to McIntyre as the new brigade command sergeant major. McIntyre slightly pulled the sword from its scabbard, and then snapped it back in place to signify that he was accepting responsibility as the Vanguard Brigade’s new enlisted leader.
“(Barnes) has been the epitome of a senior (noncommissioned officer),” Gallahue said after the ceremony. “I could not have asked for a better man.”
Gallahue thanked Barnes’ wife Patty for her support for the brigade and her husband. He then welcomed McIntyre and said he was “the right man for the right time.”
In his farewell to his old unit, Barnes thanked his commander and the soldiers he led as well as Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson, 3rd ID command sergeant major, for “mentoring” him. Lastly, he thanked his wife for being willing to raise two boys as a single mom through multiple deployments with the Marne Division. Barnes said he was gone 40 percent of the time.
Read more in the May 9 edition of the News.

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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

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