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Winn volunteers stand tall from 'stooping' to help
0413 Winn volunteers
Volunteer Sherry Anderson, right, advances to receive a certificate of appreciation from Derek Sills, Winn commander Col. Paul Cordts and Winn Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Wrighton, left. (Denise Etheridge)

Motivational speaker and first vice president of financial services for The Heritage Bank, Derek Sills told more than 300 Winn Army Community Hospital volunteers Monday they are “above average” because they choose to give their time to others, a rare trait in today’s fast-paced society.

“You can never stand taller than when you stoop to help someone,” Sills said. He added volunteers are generous people, who teach the next generation how to act unselfishly.

Red Cross volunteers, retirees and military spouses, active duty soldiers, DENTAC personnel, area veterans and high school students were recognized for their volunteer service at Winn’s 12th annual volunteer awards ceremony early this week.

Winn Army Community Hospital commander Col. Paul Cordts said when he came to Fort Stewart two years ago he met with Congressman Jack Kingston.

“All Rep. Kingston wanted to talk about was our volunteer program at Winn,” Cordts said. The commander offered some quotes in praise of volunteerism, telling hospital volunteers they “take the loneliness out of being alone.”

Winn volunteers logged more than 17,000 hours of service this year, director of volunteer services Brigitte Cabeza-Shanken said. Cabeza-Shanken said this amount of unpaid hours translates into about $300,000 in savings for the hospital.

For more, pick up a copy of the April 16 edition of the News.

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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.

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