On Sunday, early afternoon, Kaiserlautern Military Community Exchange General Manager Michele Weisshaar received a call from Ramstein Air Base command, requesting Exchange support for U.S. Embassy personnel being evacuated from Sudan—they were expected to arrive at the base, possibly after hours.
By 4:30, Weisshaar and her team had put together a plan to support the evacuees and their families, who had to leave Sudan because fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces had increased to the point where it became dangerous for Americans there. About 90 evacuees, as well as the Marines who executed the evacuation operation, arrived at the Exchange a few hours after they landed in Germany.
“This included U.S. Embassy workers, a few children and their pets,” Weisshaar said. “They arrived after hours, and we kept the KMC complex open to support. The evacuees were able to get something to eat at the food court, shop for necessities in the store and pick up a free pizza from Hunt Brother’s Pizza on the way back to lodging.” Hunt Brothers donated 35 pizzas to support evacuees.
The evacuees, who had to leave Sudan with only the clothes on their backs, were grateful to be able to shop at the Exchange. One family—a mother, her sister, her 18-month-old and two toddlers—was thrilled to be able to get clothes and formula for the children. Other families were able to purchase toiletries, clothes, luggage, and pet kennels and food. The food court team also provided bowls and water for the evacuated pets.
Main Store Manager Jessica Provan, Regional Retail Program Specialist Annalisa Bonato, Services Business Manager Krystal McLaurin, food court Manager Karen Martins and Express Manager Paul Rincon led the KMC team’s support efforts.
“It was a very emotional evening hearing the stories and seeing how grateful everyone was for the warm welcome from the Ramstein community,” Weisshaar said. “I am so very proud of each and every one of our teammates in this Exchange. Without hesitation the associates came together to support, simply stating, ‘This is what we do on Ramstein.’”
Europe/SWA Senior Vice President Marla Smith Randolph praised the team’s quick response.
“Words can’t express the pride I have in the team,” Randolph said. “They always jump to the challenge, and they never disappoint. They exude Exchange relevancy on so many levels.”
On Monday morning, the evacuees had breakfast in the food court before departing for Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C.
According to the Department of Defense, there are still U.S. citizens in Sudan, and the DoD is working with the State Department to help those who want to leave. The Exchange operations in Southwest Asia have been informed of their potential need to support, so they are preparing with inventory, rodeo training and staffing as needed.
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