At the Tower Barracks Military Clothing store, eight longtime associates have been taking care of the Soldiers for a combined 225 years, bringing expert service to U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, while creating a sense of family among teammates.
The Military Clothing store was first established in 1983 in the Camp Aachen training area. Then in July 2008, when the U.S. Army was expanding their facilities and units, the store was moved onto the main post.
“Any U.S. Armed Forces service member or international troop who has served or trained in Grafenwoehr, has visited our Military Clothing store,” said Store Manager Elke Luber. “It becomes a part of their Europe experience and a memory for life.”
Luber has served the Grafenwoehr community for 35 years and said he could never imagine doing anything else.
“I was looking for a job and applied in 1985 as an operations clerk,” Luber said. “From the very first day I loved working for the MCS. We have the finest customers in the world, and I have never wanted to leave the MCS family.”
Luber added, “The MCS team at Tower Barracks is the ‘Special Forces’ of the MCS world and my teammates, like me, fell in love with the unique mission of our store.”
Exchange Associate Anna Vlasek has also served the military for more than 35 years and has witnessed the many changes the military has gone through, including seven military uniform variations.
“It is a special feeling having gone through so many exercises, reforgers and deployments,” Vlasek said. “Having met so many Soldiers from different eras of the Army’s presence in Europe has been an honor and a pleasure to serve them.”
While Exchange Associate Hanne Fichtl may have only logged 17 years so far with the team, she too could never imagine working anywhere else.
“Keeping our Soldiers stationed here close to the tip of the spear in uniforms and gear necessary to complete their missions is an honor,” Fichtl said. “And being one element of this, gives us a heartwarming feeling.”
“Ask any of the Military Clothing store associates about their job and the answer you will get is, ‘for us, it’s more than a job‒ we are here to serve together at the Exchange,’” Luber said. “The Grafenwoehr team is proud to serve with the family serving family team.”
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