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Sergeant killed in insurgent attack
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Staff Report
Updated: May 26, 2010, 1:58 PM
Published: May 26, 2010, 2:06 PM
Third Infantry Division soldier Staff Sgt. Amilcar H. Gonzalez has been posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Gonzalez, 26, a native of Miami, Fla., was shot and killed May 21 in Ash Shura, Iraq, when insurgents attacked his unit. A “tanker,” he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID at Fort Stewart.
Gonzalez joined the Army on Sept. 17, 2001, and arrived at Fort Stewart in April 2002, according to Fort Stewart spokesperson Kevin Larson.
“He had four deployments,” Larson said. He did not have information as to why Gonzalez will receive the medals.
1-64 Armor Commander Lt. Col. Ross Coffman wrote this sad message from Iraq Monday on the battalion’s Facebook page:
“I write you tonight with heavy heart due to the passing of Staff Sgt. Amilcar Gonzalez. He was a leader, warrior, soldier and friend to the entire Desert Rogue Family. He will be missed by all of us. Soon we will conduct the memorial service in Iraq and will all mourn together. Please keep Staff Sgt. Gonzalez’s family and the Desert Rogues in your thoughts and prayers. We continue to remain steadfast in our support of each other and our mission.”
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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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