MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ANNOUNCED FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF THE ARMY VISIT TO JBLM

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- I Corps Public Affairs will host two media opportunities this week in conjunction with Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy's visit to the area.

VIETNAM VETERAN'S SILVER STAR: On Aug. 31, media are invited for a Silver Star Medal presentation to a local Tacoma resident for his heroic actions in Vietnam. The Silver Star is the military's third-highest decoration for valor.

Sgt. Edward L. Dvorak was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action while serving in the Republic of Vietnam on Nov. 30, 1968. Murphy will present the award to Dvorak at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Veterans of Foreign Wars, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. Representative Derek Kilmer, who assisted Dvorak in applying for the award, will also take part in the ceremony. Dvorak, Murphy and Kilmer will be available for interview on-site following the ceremony.

TRANSITION PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS and JBLM VISIT: On Sept. 1, Murphy will visit Joint Base Lewis-McChord to spend time with Soldiers and learn more about the installation and its programs. He will see the Servicemember for Life Transition Assistance Program to learn about successful partnerships with local companies that are helping military members find meaningful employment after leaving military service.

Murphy will then visit the Interstate Distributors, a local trucking company in Tacoma that is involved with the SFL-TAP. Sen. Patty Murray, who wrote the VOW to Hire Heroes Act to help veterans find post-military employment, will also attend the visit and both will be available for interviews on-site.

TO COVER:

Media interested in covering the Silver Star presentation should arrive at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Veterans of Foreign Wars post at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP by email Sgt. Maj. Mark Swart at mark.w.swart2.mil@mail.mil or call (253)-477-0162.

Media wishing to cover the Under Secretary's visit to Interstate Distributors should arrive at their headquarters located at 11707 21st Avenue CT S., Tacoma, WA 98444, at 10:30 a.m. For our planning and coordination, we ask that you RSVP to Sgt. Maj. Mark Swart at mark.w.swart2.mil@mail.mil or call (253)-477-0162.