By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Deployed soldiers run in support of wounded comrades
Placeholder Image
TIKRIT, Iraq- A Puerto Rican National Guard unit increased the awareness of the military's wounded warriors by getting 600 individuals out of bed early Sunday morning to participate in a run for the warriors.
Soldiers from the 166th Regional Support Group out of Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, organized the run to raise awareness about the struggles wounded warriors face and to send the message to those who are wounded, that they have not been forgotten.
The event took place on Contingency Operating Base Speicher and was broken into a 5 kilometer run/walk and 10 kilometer race categories.
In the accompanying video, those who were interviewed include event organizer Capt. Ivy Harris, an Orlando, Fla., native and the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment,166th RSG.
"We have to realize how important it is to take care of them, because who knows, one day it may be one of us and if we don't take care of them, who will?" Capt. Harris said.
Other interviewees are 5k participant Capt. Cassandra Ades, a Barstow, Calif., native and commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Operations Company, 3rd Infantry Division; and 10k men's category participant 2nd Lt. Caliphe Francis, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native and the platoon leader of Task Force Marne Joint Network Node; and 10k woman's category winner Sgt. Krystal Morgan, Pulaski, Wis., native with the 317th Military Police Battalion.

Sign up for our E-Newsletters
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.

Latest Obituaries