AAFES celebrates 110th birthday with sales, prizes
Carrie Paulson, Vance Army and Air Force Exchange Service shopper, pays for her purchases as Leah Dickinson, exchange employee, rings them up. Photo by Alan Ford
The Vance Main Exchange honors the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s 110th anniversary with a wide variety of sales, promotions and sweepstakes beginning July 22.
Prizes during the three-day celebration will range from candy bars to a 2005 Chevy Cobalt.
“Friday of the celebration will bring a new host of events and attractions,” said Allisha Ousley, exchange store manager. “Highlights at the Vance Main Exchange will include vendor demonstrations, birthday cake and refreshments, door prizes, AAFES history quiz drawing and in-store specials.”
On July 25, 1895, the War Department issued General Order number 46 directing post commanders to establish an exchange at every post where practicable. Since the first formal exchanges were established on that July day, an exchange system has served side-by-side with Soldiers and, since 1947, Airmen in tents and trucks in the field and in permanent facilities, on posts and bases around the world.
Today, AAFES provides support to its 11.5 million authorized customers without regard to where they are stationed. In fact, AAFES has more than 3,100 facilities in 49 states and more than 35 countries. Currently, AAFES brings a bit of home to troops with 55 stores in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and has about 450 associates deployed at any given time. All of these associates live and work right alongside the deployed troops they serve.
“AAFES has long been a vital part of the services’ Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs and a partner with the military in providing for the everyday needs of Soldiers, Airmen and their families,” said AAFES’ Commander Maj. Gen. Bill Essex. “AAFES’ mission is basically the same as it was in 1895: to provide quality goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support MWR programs.”
With roughly 67 percent of AAFES’ earnings historically going to MWR programs, these contributions to service members and their families make AAFES a major non-pay benefit. In just the past 10 years, AAFES has contributed $2.3 billion to the Armed Forces to spend on quality of life improvements for troops and their families, including: libraries, sports programs, swimming pools, youth activities, tickets and tour services, bowling centers, hobby shops, music programs, outdoor facilities and unit functions.
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