124 Years Strong!
From left, West Point Cadet CPT Christian Falk; Senior Vice President James Skibo, who recently celebrated 50 years with the Exchange; Maj. Gen. David Coburn, Commander, U.S. Army Financial Management Command; Director/CEO Tom Shull; and West Point Cadet Thomas Bordeaux cut the ceremonial cake.
Associates and customers around the world are celebrating the Exchange’s 124th anniversary of serving those we love—Soldiers, Airmen, their families, retirees and Veterans.
As the Department of Defense’s largest retailer, the Exchange has a deep commitment to taking care of Warfighters, no matter where their mission takes them.
“The work you do each day matters,” Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull told associates during an anniversary ceremony at headquarters. “This steadfast and loyal team keeps the 124-year-old shopping benefit alive and well.”
The Exchange at Camp Foster, Japan, kicked off a day of celebrations with good deals and promotions for customers.
Shull celebrated the Exchange’s successes in 2018, including:
- Supporting more than 155,000 Warfighters during military exercises and operations at the tip of the spear.
- Serving Veterans through their online shopping benefit.
- Taking care of Tyndall Air Force Base after a devastating hurricane.
Performance in 2019 is strong, too, Shull said, noting that earnings are nearly $19.3 million above plan.
Strategic initiatives, including welcoming home all disabled Veterans with brick-and-mortar privileges on Jan. 1, expanding wellness services and committing to working with the Army and Air Force on a campus-style dining program, will keep the Exchange benefit strong for future generations of Warfighters, families, retirees and Veterans.
“Here’s to another fantastic year of serving those who serve,” Shull said. “It’s an honor to serve with each of you.”
View the celebrations on Facebook Live.
View a 124th anniversary video from Afghanistan’s Bagram AB.
Send your best pictures from your 124th anniversary festivities to exchangepost@aafes.com. We can’t wait to post them on Flickr!
History FunFact
July 26, 1948
The day the Army Exchange Service became the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. In September 1947, the U.S. Air Force was created.
Check out nearly 800 historical pictures in the Exchange History Flickr Album. Got historical Exchange pictures? Send them here.
Serving those we LOVE, thank you ( Ni he de bi ru ) and GOD BLESS YOU from OKINAWA, JAPAN…(^_^)
Ms. Allen:
Thank you for writing to your Exchange Post!
Let’s keep the conversation going. Got comments about our 124th anniversary you would like to share? Type them in the comment box and hit enter.
C’mon…we want to read them!
Steve Smith
Editor, The Exchange Post
Sir, we had a blast here at Foster 4 Seasons giving away t-shirt’s, chocolate’s, drinks and so much more…(^_^)…On the 26th we had from Children to Adults Hula Hooping for 20% to 25% Off Coupons and also had a blast with our Wonderful Associates when we Served Customer’s that participated in the KARAOKE Contest on the 28th of JULY ( Family Member Duet was #1 )
We Go, Where You Go
GOD BLESS YOU