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WACH volunteers make difference at nursing home
1026 make a diff day
Winn Army Community Hospital volunteers and Coastal Manor residents dance during Make A Difference Day at the long-term-care facility in Long County. - photo by Photo provided.
Mikee Riddle
Correspondent
Updated: Oct 27, 2011, 2:40 PM
Published: Oct 26, 2011, 2:43 PM

More than 100 Winn Army Community Hospital volunteers, soldiers, civilians and military family members donated their time Saturday to make a difference in the lives of several residents at Coastal Manor nursing home in Long County.
The group spent several hours at the facility, which adopted a “Groovy ’70s” theme for the special day. Event attendees sported bellbottoms, bandannas and other 1970s fashions.
Hinesville resident Melvine Frasier Thornton, a volunteer at the event, said she was ready to boogie with the residents.
“I love people, and I wanted to come out today to support the residents here and also to support Winn hospital,” Thornton said.
Coastal Manor resident Marie Crosby, 64, said seeing so many excited and supportive people at the long-term-care facility made her feel like she was 19 again.
“I like to watch them dance. I like to watch them shake their tail feathers,” Crosby said.
Coastal Manor Nursing Home Director Elise Stafford was pleased with the event turnout. Activities and special days are good for the residents, she said.
“Depression is such a big issue in nursing home facilities. Activities like these get the residents out of their normal routine and stimulate them. We have a good activity program here, but when we have volunteers come in, it makes it even better,” Stafford said.
Ninety-seven-year-old Benjamin Casanova, who is known around Coastal Manor as a “ladies man” appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
“Today is wonderful. Everyone here is beautiful — just beautiful,” Casanova said.
Valerie Bonilla, wife of Lt. Col. Jose’ Bonilla, said she brought her son to the event to help him understand the importance of volunteering.
“This is a great thing. I brought my son with me today to show him the importance of giving back to the community,” Bonilla said.
Make a Difference Day, a 20-year-old tradition, is always the fourth Saturday in October. About 3 million volunteers participate annually, helping an estimated 20 million people.
“We are very thankful to Winn Volunteer Coordinator Brigitte Shanken and all of the others who came out today,” Stafford said.

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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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