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Aviation unit donates to Feds Feed Families
Feds Feed Fams
Soldiers from Company F, 2/3 Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, pose with their donation this year of 4,318 pounds of food for Feds Feed Families, which ran June 1-Aug. 27. - photo by Photo by Capt. Chad Ashe

Soldiers from Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade made the single largest donation this year at Fort Stewart — 4,318 pounds of food — for Feds Feed Families, which ran June 1-Aug. 27.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website, since the campaign began in 2009, federal workers have collected and donated 24.1 million pounds of food and other non-perishable items to support families across America.
First Lt. Sean Wester, executive officer for Company D, 2/3 Avn. Regt., was the battalion officer in charge of the program to collect and track food donations. Wester said he was happy and impressed with the support the companies gave to help needy families.
“Fox Company did an amazing job,” he said when asked about the response from his organization. “They brought in more food than I ever expected.”
Capt. Isaac Yancey, commander of Company F, said the soldiers saw Feds Feeding Families as an opportunity to say “thank you” and give back to the community that has been so good to them. Yancey, who  grew up in a small town, said he knows how communities get involved to help neighbors in a time of need.
“I’ve never seen this kind of a turnout for a food drive, ever,” he said. “I'm extremely proud of these soldiers and the contributions they’ve made for a great cause that is so close to home.”
A representative from Fort Stewart Commissary said total donations received from units at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield for this year’s campaign was more than 10,000 pounds.

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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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