In brief:
- Exchanges worldwide saluted Veterans worldwide with challenge coins for Veterans Day.
- Veterans were eligible to receive coins at all military exchanges.
- Veterans expressed gratitude and appreciation for the recognition.
For the seventh straight year, Exchanges worldwide saluted heroes with a challenge coin giveaway on Veterans Day. The coins feature an eagle on one side and emblems for all six military branches on the other.
In a united sign of appreciation for their sacrifice, Veterans were eligible to receive coins at all military exchanges.
“Some Veterans did not get the homecoming they deserved,” said Chief Master Sgt. Angela Holden, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “The Veterans Day coinings help correct that oversight. The Exchange is privileged to honor Veterans every day and to designate November as Salute to Service Month. But the coinings are extra special.”
At the Camp Foster Exchange on Okinawa, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, as well as other Veterans, attended a recognition ceremony in advance of Veterans Day.
“The value in the Exchange doing this is letting these Veterans know that they’re still appreciated, that the world thanks them for their service,” said Cortez Pree, commander of VFW Post 9723 in Okinawa.
“I just want to say to the Exchange, thank you for doing an event like this,” he said. “To let these Veterans know they’re still loved and appreciated. We look forward to continuing to serve the community whether we are in uniform or out of uniform.”
Retired Air Force Master Sgt. John Bowers was among the Veterans honored at Camp Foster.
“This is something I look forward to every year,” said Bowers, a member of VFW Post 9723. “The coins they come up with are spectacular as always. This year’s is special with the 250th anniversary of the country and has a little more meaning.”
At the Fort Hood Exchange, the coins were presented by Command Sgt. Maj. Kristopher Tate, who was impressed with the turnout.
“Giving out coins to our Veterans means a lot,” Tate said. “I get to say thank you for service along with our AAFES partners. I means a ton. There were a lot of people standing by for this coin. To just see the people want a coin and stand by for it has been great.”
Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Queen Broussard, one of the Fort Hood recipients, called the coin “a blessing.”
“My father was stationed here, I was stationed here,” she said. “We have a lineage of Army and Air Force here at Fort Hood. And it’s really nice to get something back.”
At the Ramstein Air Base Exchange in Germany, the world’s largest, Store Manager Brian Smith said 500 coins were presented within 30 minutes. Brigadier Gen. Denny R. Davies, 86th Airlift Wing and Installation Commander, and local high school JROTC cadets participated in the giveaway ceremony.
Bill Brenham, a retired Air Force Veteran who received his coin at Ramstein, said the Veterans Day celebration is a great example of the Exchange’s commitment to serving those who have served.
“I am extremely proud of what the Exchange does for Veterans,” Brenham said. “Every time we attend an Exchange event, we feel welcomed, respected and appreciated.”
The Exchange also honored associates who are Veterans, including at Dallas headquarters, where Director/CEO Brad Bingham led a ceremony honoring HQ-based Veteran associates. At the Germersheim Distribution Center, 23 Veterans who work for the Exchange were recognized by Europe/Southwest Asia/Africa Commander Col. Benjamin Stegmann, Europe/SWA/Africa Chief of Plans Maj. David Fennoy and Europe Region Distribution Center Manager Charlie Rios. In addition to the commemorative coin, the Veterans received POGs, a gift box with a commemorative pin and a bottle opener.
Throughout, Veterans expressed their gratitude for the recognition.
“No one does it better than the Exchange,” said Mike Johnson, a retired Army Veteran who received his coin at Ramstein. “The appreciation and respect shown to Veterans today was truly special. Events like this remind us that our service is remembered and valued.”
SFC Cody Ewing and Social Media Analyst III Emily Zarsk contributed to this report..
Show us your celebration!
Send us your photos of your store’s challenge coin giveaway for a special Flickr album. Please send high-res jpegs as attachments (not in the body of the email) to exchangepost@aafes.com and socialmedia@aafes.com.
You can view the photos that are already in this year’s album here.
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