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Winn Army Community Hospital commander relieved of command
Patrick Ahearne
Staff Report
editor@bryancountynews.com
Updated: May 31, 2016, 8:02 PM
Published: May 31, 2016, 8:04 PM

Col. Patrick Ahearne was relieved of his command of Winn Army Community Hospital on Fort Stewart last month following the results of an investigation, according to a May 2 news release from Regional Health Command-Atlantic (Provisional), which is headquartered on Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

The release says that Ahearne used “poor judgment” in exercising his command authority. He was temporarily suspended April 19. 

The investigation did not find any criminal behavior. The relief of the command is a command action as a result of the investigation, according to the release.

The interim commander, Col. Joseph K. “JK” Weaver, will continue to serve in that role until a new commander is selected. He also is the commander of Tuttle Army Health Clinic on Hunter Army Airfield, but a Tuttle news release issued Tuesday announced that he will be replaced during a change-of-command ceremony at noon Wednesday by Lt. Col. Michael Tarpey inside the Hunter Club.

“This matter did not have an adverse impact on patient care,” the Regional Health Command-Atlantic news release says of Ahearne's being relieved of command, “and the excellent health care and services that our patients have come to expect will continue. The Army is committed to providing the best medical care to our soldiers, retirees and their families.”

The Bryan County News learned of the May 2 news release after a reporter inquired on Ahearne’s status after receiving the Tuttle change-of-command announcement Tuesday. 

Correspondent Lewis Levine contributed to this report.

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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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