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Groundbreaking signifies changes at Winn
Groundbreaking ceremony at Winn
Kevin Kuntz, left, Capt. Lawrence St. Amand, Navy Capt. McCrae Philip, Col. Christopher Hughes, Col. Ronald Place, Maj. Paula Smith, Lt. Col. David London and Col. Stephen Wooldridge break ground Monday at Winn Army Community Hospital on the new 65,000-square-foot wing, which will house musculoskeletal functions, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthopedics and podiatry. - photo by Randy C.Murray

The first expansion of Fort Stewart’s Winn Army Community Hospital since the 360,000-square-foot facility opened 29 years ago officially got under way Monday morning with a groundbreaking ceremony.

“When this hospital opened its doors in 1983, it was said to be the most ultra-modern military hospital in the world,” said Col. Ronald J. Place, commander of Medical and Dental Activities Command for Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield and Winn ACH. “Back then it had 65 hospital beds. But things have changed since then. We try very hard not to keep people in the hospital anymore. Winn’s going to see more changes over the next four or five years.”

Place explained this first phase of expansion adds 65,000 square feet to the hospital, plus another 1,000 square feet will be altered and renovated. He said the first floor of the new wing will house musculoskeletal functions, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthopedics and podiatry. The second floor will include a Behavior Health Clinic and Social Work Services, he said.

He invited military and community leaders attending the groundbreaking to return for the ribbon cutting ceremony on the new addition in September 2013 and told everyone to try to imagine what the next ultra-modern health care facility looks like.

Col. Christopher Hughes, 3rd Infantry Division deputy commanding general for support, followed Place, first passing on congratulations from Maj. Gen. Robert Abrams, Stewart-Hunter and 3rd ID commander, who was unable to attend due to preparations for his August deployment to Afghanistan.

Describing himself as a military brat who later joined the Army, Hughes said he has always been under the medical care of military doctors.

“Trust is the critical cornerstone to who we are in the Army,” he said. “This groundbreaking ceremony helps to reinforce our trust in military medical care, which helps us be ready for or recover from war.”

Read more in the Jan. 28 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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