DALLAS – For the second year in a row, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service will honor Vietnam Veterans for their service and sacrifice on March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Dallas/Fort Worth-area Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are invited to receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin at their local Exchange during a ceremony at Exchange headquarters March 29. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. Col. Collin Fortier, the Exchange’s military community outreach liaison, is scheduled to preside. He and active-duty Soldiers and Airmen will pin the Veterans. Exchange headquarters is at 3911 S. Walton Walker Blvd in Dallas. The ceremony will take place on the West side of the building, on Joseph Hardin Dr. A special Exchange semi-trailer, with a design honoring Vietnam Veterans, will serve as the backdrop for the ceremony.
The lapel pin, which has become a lasting memento of the Nation’s thanks, is provided in partnership with The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.
“The Exchange is deeply honored to be a part of recognizing the brave men and women who raised their hand and took the oath, yet never received the proper thanks they so richly deserved,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, a Vietnam-era Army Veteran. “The Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin is a small token of the Nation’s appreciation, letting these heroes know they are not forgotten.”
The Exchange has been a Commemorative Partner with the Vietnam War Commemoration since 2013, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam Veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice.
Maj. Gen. (Retired) James Jackson, Commemoration director, thanked the Exchange for its efforts.
“The Exchange is a committed partner in commemorating the service of these individuals,” Jackson said. “Its service to Vietnam Veterans is greatly appreciated.”
For more information on the times of the March 29 ceremonies at local Exchanges, Vietnam Veterans and their families can visit shopmyexchange.com/community. Those without installation access should contact their local Exchange or the installation’s Visitor Center for information on gaining access to a ceremony.
Veterans who are unable to come to an Exchange for a lapel pin March 29 can visit http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/events/ to find an upcoming event or Commemorative Partner in their area at http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/partners/partner_map/. Veterans who still need assistance locating an opportunity to receive a lapel pin on behalf of a grateful nation can contact the Commemoration office at 877-387-9951 or [email protected].
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 Commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the secretary of defense and launched by the President in 2012. It will continue through Veterans Day 2025.
Facebook-friendly version: In recognition of their service and sacrifice, Dallas/Fort Worth-area Vietnam Veterans can receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service headquarters, 3911 S. Walton Walker Blvd in Dallas, on March 29. The pinning ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. and is part of the Exchange’s partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-VI.
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.ShopMyExchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Marisa Wolfe at 214-312-5111 or [email protected].
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