AMVETS National Service Office Malcolm Smith speaks with
a member of the South Carolina National Guard during
Reintegration Training Day on April 5.

Service officers and volunteers lend a hand on Reintegration Training Day

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2008—On April 5, AMVETS Department of South Carolina welcomed home the 1st Battalion, 263rd Armor of the South Carolina National Guard’s 128th Infantry Brigade from a year of service in Afghanistan as part of the unit’s Reintegration Training Day.

Department Commander James Lewis, Executive Director David Brantner, National Executive Committeewoman Mary Barrow, and Department Auxiliary 3rd Vice Commander Patti Lewis were on hand to welcome home each of member of the Guard and to hand out welcome home packages to the soldiers and their family members.

The packages, which contained a few sundries along with information about AMVETS and the Ladies Auxiliary, each contained a personal thank you note to the soldiers and their family members.

Regional Service Director Garry King and National Service Officers Russell Woodall and David Turner were also on hand to discuss veterans’ benefits with the soldiers.

Nearly 150 members of the Guard and their family members took advantage of the knowledge and expertise of the AMVETS on site.

In 2007, AMVETS officially signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Guard Bureau, allowing AMVETS to reach out directly to Guard units across the country. Members of the South Carolina National Guard were appreciative of the support that AMVETS provided for the event, and AMVETS Department of South Carolina is looking forward to supporting the South Carolina National Guard as they carry out their mission.