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Ceremony welcomes 200 returning 3rd ID soldiers
Melendez family
Sgt. Jeffrey Melendez, his wife Daniluz and his children, Jenielie and Jeniel embrace on Fort Stewarts Cottrell Field shortly after 200 soldiers returned from Afghanistan. - photo by Randy C.Murray

About 200 soldiers with the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team were welcomed home from Afghanistan on Tuesday in a ceremony on Fort Stewart’s Cottrell Field.
Soldiers, friends and family members began filling the bleachers an hour before their arrival. When they were not waving tiny American flags handed out by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Liberty Chapter 789, children ran excitedly up and down the field, sat on their mothers’ shoulders or waited eagerly in strollers.
“It’ll be great to have him home again,” said Gina Bailey, who played in the grassy field with her 8-month-old daughter Boston. “I’m tired of being a single mom with three kids.”
She said her husband, Spc. Glen Bailey, is a fuel-supply specialist. He is the only member of his family in the military, she said.
Bailey’s friend, Michelle Shi, said both she and her husband, Sgt. Bryan Shi, come from military families. She said her husband’s grandfather had served with Gen. George Patton during World War II. Despite the familiarity of military life and the hardships associated with it, Shi said it still is hard to be separated so long from her husband.
“These nine-month tours don’t allow them the (rest and relaxation) break they used to get at six months,” Shi said, who noted she was happy for her husband, who recently reached a milestone in his military career. “I’m proud of him because he left here a specialist, and he’s coming home a sergeant.”
Not everyone attending the ceremony was there to greet a friend or family member. Cynthia Gray said she was there to take pictures for a friend. Gray’s 2-year-old daughter Caydence seemed ready to greet somebody. She bounced in the seat of her stroller, caught up in the excitement.
When the buses began arriving with their soldiers, the crowds’ cheers elevated to a roar. The soldiers got off the buses and into formation before marching across the field toward their loved ones on the other side.
Rena Mack kneeled beside her 2-year-old son Wyatt, whispering as she pointed to a face in the formation. It was her husband and Wyatt’s father, Spc. Travins Mack.
Soldiers and family members were asked to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation then 200 heroes were welcomed home.
“Welcome back to the United States of America,” said Col. John Hort, 3rd ID deputy commanding general-rear, “You took the fight to the enemy, and you won. Now I want to reunite you with your families.”

See more in the Dec. 5 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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