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Stewart, Hunter win Army Excellence again
Col Kevin Milton
Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Milton speaks at an earlier news conference. Thursday, he said the award was awarded because of the dedication of soldiers and civilian workers on Fort Stewart and Hunter. - photo by File photo
Staff Report
Updated: Mar 8, 2012, 5:20 PM
Published: Mar 8, 2012, 7:10 PM

For the fifth time, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield is bringing home gold in this year's Army Community of Excellence awards. The installation also was recognized for a separate best practice award.

Stewart-Hunter won first place in the ACOE awards in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009. The latest recognition by the Army showcases the installation's dedication to soldiers and families, Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Milton said.

"Taking gold in the ACOE competition for a fifth time is proof Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield is the best installation in the U.S. Army to train, deploy, live and raise a military family," Milton said. "I'm excited about this accomplishment. It is a testament to the hard work and resiliency of the soldiers, families, and Army civilians that live and work here."

Stewart-Hunter began its journey toward excellence 14 years ago with the implementation of an installation strategic planning process that’s sole focus is to provide a safe, secure and responsive community that enhances the installation’s ability to meet national security objectives.

Simply put, all the planning and strategy translates to making Stewart-Hunter a great place, Milton said.

"We truly are the Southern living station of choice,'" he said. "With the support of our neighbors, together we make the word home a warm and welcoming reality for our soldiers and families."

The best practice award recognizes the directorates of logistics and public works for implementing a centralized hazardous-material management process for petroleum, oil and lubricant liquids that tracks their use and disposal from cradle to grave.

Following its 2009 win, the installation had to sit out two years in keeping with the Army's procedures on ACOE.

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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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