Associates Praised for Getting Warrior PX Open Two Days After Rocket Attack
Sheri Rinker and Ronnie Palencia remove damaged merchandise from the shelves.
Associates from Afghanistan to Kuwait who came together to get Bagram AB’s Warrior PX open just two days after the store was hit by a rocket have won praise from leaders in the Exchange’s Europe/Southwest Asia Region.
“What these associates did is the essence of what we like to call ‘combat retail,’” said COL Scott McFarland, the region’s commander. “I applaud their extraordinary efforts that came during trying times.”
Coming together as team
The rocket hit the building at 2 a.m. Aug. 21, but the associates worked for hours cleaning up the store and getting it open Aug. 23 to the delight of Airmen.
“They did a remarkable job in trying circumstances to ensure our Warfighters were served,” said Jason Rosenberg, the region’s senior vice president. “They worked incredibly long hours to get the store open. They came together as a team and were true examples of the Exchange core value ‘Family Serving Family.’”
Continuing Exchange mission
With the help of Airmen at Bagram, Deborah Brawn, Liz Childers, Kaley Golledge, Ahmed Kowsar, Kelli-Jo Marass, Russ Minehart, Ronnie Palencia, Sheri Rinker and Brandi Wallace worked more than seven hours cleaned up shrapnel, broken glass, damaged products and debris. They wiped undamaged products clean and removed damaged cash registers.
Brandi Wallace removes damaged clothing from the racks.
“ . . . the best recognition came from smiling faces and appreciative comments from our customers.”
-John Burk,
region vice president, contingency
“In conjunction with a military detachment, associates from the stores, FA, LG, LP, IT and Services came in throughout contingency to work together to get the store operational as soon as possible,” said John Burk, region vice president for contingency. “This allowed the Exchange to continue its mission of serving Warfighters working within and outside the wire.
“Associates were recognized for their work within their directorates. However, the best recognition came from smiling faces and appreciative comments from our customers.”
Driving force
Wallace said the driving force behind their work was that the troops were counting on the store to bring them the same conveniences of home.
“We are here to help ensure they have what they need,” said Wallace, who has been deployed to Afghanistan since December 2017 from the Dan Daniel DC in Virginia. “Getting the store cleaned and restocked shows them that the Exchange not only cares about the service we provide, but them as well.”
Watch this video of the Warrior PX.
