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Home in time for holidays
Soldiers return to loved ones Tuesday from Iraq
WelcomeHome-White Family Re-United
Private first class T.J. White, embraces his 5-month old son, Ben, as his wife, Megan, looks on. (Randy C. Murray)

The families of more than 50 soldiers assigned to the 24th Ordnance Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, got an early Christmas gift Tuesday with the return of their loved ones from Iraq.
Prior to their soldiers’ arrival at Fort Stewart’s Newman Fitness Center, friends and family members filled the bleachers, waving tiny American flags and large posters to welcome the troops home as the 3rd ID band provided patriotic music and a video montage of the soldiers rolled. In addition to CSSB Commander Lt. Col. Lance C. Curtis and Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia Howard, the soldiers were welcomed by the Liberty chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Association.
Children like Leilani Morales, 4, her sister, Kayla, 3, and brother TJ, 9, anxiously raced in circles, weaving between the adults who towered over them. Their mother, MaiLing Morales, tried to keep her children together as she held a poster for her husband, Sgt. Israel Morales.  Mia Vogan, 4, sat quietly in mother Robyn’s lap while Mia’s brothers, Sean, 6, and Jacob, 4, leaned back on their bleacher seats, occasionally waving flags while peering at the animated crowd gathering for the soldiers’ imminent return.
Families visited and made small talk as they waited. Sgt. Secorah Arbuckle, a 24th Ordnance soldier who only recently returned from Iraq herself, introduced her daughter, Alyssa, 3, to Megan White and her son, Ben, 5 months. White said her husband, Pfc. TJ White, was able to meet their son just before he was deployed four months ago.
Read more in the Dec. 10 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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