DALLAS – March 29 marked a special occasion at PXs and BXs as Vietnam War Veterans were honored during the Vietnam War Commemoration’s final Vietnam War Veterans Day pinning ceremonies.
The Exchange hosted worldwide ceremonies for Veterans of all service branches who served from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, at various locations from Camp Foster in Okinawa to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. All Veterans received a commemorative lapel pin inscribed with “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.”
“When I came back from Vietnam and landed at Travis Air Force Base in California, it was about 3 in the morning,” said Clinton Ray
Col. Everett “Bud” Lacroix, Exchange Europe/Southwest Asia/Africa Region commander and Sgt. Maj. Ashley Ikegwuonu, Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Europe/Africa/Southwest Asia region greeting Vietnam War-era Veterans at the Ramstein Main Exchange in Germany.
Willesen, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant who served in Vietnam. “There wasn’t anybody in the terminal. I can’t speak to the way other people were treated when they came back, but another time I had to go back home, and I didn’t have time to change out of my uniform. I had to go through the airport terminal, and I was stunned a little bit at some of the things people said.” Willesen participated in the pinning ceremony at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth Exchange.
The Exchange has been a Commemorative Partner of the Vietnam War Commemoration since 2013, honoring the service of Vietnam Veterans and their families. The Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War was authorized by Congress, established under the secretary of defense and launched in 2012 to thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families through Veterans Day 2025.
“Events like this are truly appreciated by the Vietnam Veterans like me and we love what the Exchange is doing,” said retired Army Corporal Michael Richter, who returned home from Vietnam in October 1967 and is currently in the Ramstein, Germany. “I think it’s a great thing that the Exchange wants to recognize Veterans for their service, and I think it’s a good thing that the Exchange is able and willing to do that.”
Social-media-friendly version: The Exchange honors Vietnam War era Veterans. Learn more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-2UF
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians 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 52nd-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in value to the military community, including through contributions to critical military Quality-of-Life programs. 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 X at https://x.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
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