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Missing but not forgotten
Community gathers to remember 35 service members
POW-MIA 018
The Hinesville/Fort Stewart community gathered Friday evening to remember soldiers who became prisoners of war or missing in action during war. (Denise Etheridge)
Denise Etheridge
Bryan County News
Updated: Sep 21, 2011, 3:00 PM
Published: Sep 20, 2011, 10:27 PM

Civilians, active-duty soldiers and military retirees gathered Friday at the Vietnam Veterans of America Memorial on Fort Stewart to remember 35 Georgia service members who have yet to come home from war.
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 789 of Liberty County hosts the solemn ceremony each year on POW/MIA Recognition Day. The chapter’s effort is supported by the 3rd Infantry Division, according to Chad Chaffee, chapter president and master of ceremonies.
Chaffee, a retired Army sergeant major, said service members are classified as POW/MIAs when they have gone missing in action or may have died as prisoners of war.
Along with prayer and poetry from chapter members and guests, a table set for one with a vacant chair was prominently placed to symbolize the absence of the missing in action.
3rd ID Commander Maj. Gen. Robert “Abe” Abrams told the crowd that thousands of lost service members still have families waiting for their return.

Read more in the Sept. 21 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
Bryan County News
Published: Apr 10, 2018, 1:53 PM

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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