By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
RH ranger completes competition
ranger-3
Capt. Sean F. Justi, formerly of Richmond Hill, recently competed in the 27th annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning. - photo by Photo provided.
Part of being a Ranger in the United States Army is accepting the challenge to be the best.
When the opportunity of being the best of the best came in the form of an Army competition, the challenge was too good to pass up for the son of a Richmond Hill couple.
Capt. Sean F. Justi, son of Anthony J. and Maureen Thomey-Justi of Lexington Drive, Richmond Hill, recently competed in the 27th annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition for the chance to be one of the best.
 “I like to shape my workout program toward a goal, and while serving in the Army, what better goal to strive toward than Best Ranger Competition,” said Justi, a 2002 graduate of Richmond Hill High School.
 The Best Ranger Competition covers more than 60 miles in 60 hours with various events in a marathon style “Ranger Olympics” that includes running, marching, swimming, obstacle courses, marksmanship, orienteering and basic Ranger skills events, like parachute jumps, rappelling and first aid.
 For Justi, the preparation for Best Ranger was almost as rough as the competition itself.
 “Generally my training remained the same,” said Justi, who was representing a 199th Infantry Brigade team. “At eight weeks out, I integrated a linear progression of distance road marching each week.”
 Hour after hour, mile after mile and event after event, Justi gave everything he had to be one of the final teams standing at the very end of the competition. Regardless of the results, he can take pride in knowing he competed in one of the most difficult competitions the Army has to offer.
 “I wanted to learn more about my body’s reaction to different styles of training so that I can improve the way I train,” said Justi.
 With the 2010 Bet Ranger Competition now behind him, Justi is already planning on returning for another go at being the Best Ranger.
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