{"id":1630,"date":"2014-05-12T09:49:12","date_gmt":"2014-05-12T14:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1630"},"modified":"2014-05-12T09:49:12","modified_gmt":"2014-05-12T14:49:12","slug":"exchange-to-honor-vietnam-veterans-with-virtual-wall-of-gratitude-and-remembrance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1630","title":{"rendered":"Exchange to honor Vietnam veterans with virtual Wall of Gratitude and Remembrance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"14144922582_98eaabf245_b\"<\/a><\/p>\n

DALLAS \u2013 <\/b>As Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day draw near, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service will honor Vietnam War veterans by giving shoppers a chance to share memories and stories of sacrifice with a virtual Wall of Gratitude and Remembrance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Wall of Gratitude and Remembrance will give Exchange shoppers a special opportunity to express sincere thanks to Vietnam veterans for their valor or to share their own stories of service,\u201d said Exchange Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels. \u201cThe virtual wall will have a worldwide reach, uniting veterans and their loved ones through messages of peace and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

From May 16 through May 30, Exchange shoppers are invited to share memories of their service in Vietnam or recognize the sacrifices of friends and families through the Exchange\u2019s Facebook page at www.facebook.com\/AAFES.BX.PX<\/a> or Twitter at twitter.com\/exchange_STYS<\/a>. The Exchange will kick off the conversation on May 16 and again on May 26. Current and former military members and their families and friends can add their stories and remembrances to create the virtual wall.<\/p>\n

The Wall of Gratitude and Remembrance is part of the Exchange\u2019s participation in the 50th<\/sup> Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner Program, designed for federal, state and local agencies to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families.<\/p>\n

Additional information and instructions can be found at the Exchange\u2019s Patriot Family Connection site at www.shopmyexchange.com\/Community\/patriotfamily\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/p>\n

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. \u00a0The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http:\/\/www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Media Notes:<\/b><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327\"\"<\/a><\/span> or mitchelljul@aafes.com.<\/p>\n\t

\n\t