Exchange History Articles

#FlashbackFriday: The Exchange’s History in Guam

By Robert Philpot / June 2, 2023 /

Guam has been in the news lately because of Typhoon Mawar. The island’s connections to the Exchange date back more than 100 years.

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Flashback Friday: The Exchange in China, Burma and India During World War II

By Robert Philpot / May 26, 2023 /

During World War II, exchanges were active in China, Burma and India, where they faced transportation challenges and other dangers.

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#FlashbackFriday: The Exchange Connection to the Mayaguez Incident, ‘Vietnam’s Final Battle’

By Robert Philpot / May 12, 2023 /

On May 12, 1975—48 years ago today and less than two weeks after the fall of Saigon—Khmer Rouge forces seized the American container vessel SS Mayaguez and its crew off Cambodia’s coast. The Exchange was affected by the seizure.

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#FlashbackFriday: Some Snapshots of the Exchange in Europe During and After WWII

By Robert Philpot / April 28, 2023 /

Although the Exchange had operations in Europe during the early days of World War II, the organization that most closely resembles today’s Exchange in Europe was born on April 24, 1943—80 years ago this month—when the Army Exchange Service opened a London office (at least one source gives the date as May 1, but it’s…

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#FlashbackFriday: How a Store Manager Boosted Morale in Iraq

By Robert Philpot / April 14, 2023 /

On National Hot Dog Day last July, the Exchange Post told you the story of the “AAFES Hot Dog Guy,” aka Exchange Healthcare Program Manager Robin Williams. But did you know that the Exchange also has a Twinkie man? Here’s the story of how Timothy Adams, who was the store manager for Camp Speicher in…

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#FlashbackFriday: For National Cheesesteak Day, a Taste of Charleys and Its History at the Exchange

By Robert Philpot / March 24, 2023 /

Charleys’ history at the Exchange began when the sandwich chain partnered with the Exchange with a goal of opening restaurants at military installations worldwide. That goal has been accomplished.

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#FlashbackFriday: How Japan Stores, Bakery ‘Got It Done’ After 2011 Earthquake

By Robert Philpot / March 17, 2023 /

Despite power outages, closed roads and other challenges, Exchange locations on the Japanese island of Honshu kept stores open and made sure everyone was safe after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck the island in 2011.

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#FlashbackFriday: 1991—How the First Kuwait PX Was Opened Within 96 Hours

By Robert Philpot / March 3, 2023 /

Nearly 32 years ago, on March 6, 1991, Army Central Command for Desert Storm asked that a PX be established in Kuwait. Within 96 hours, the request became a reality.

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#FlashbackFriday: In 1944, the Exchange Arrived on a Tiny Island in the Pacific. It’s Still There.

By Robert Philpot / February 24, 2023 /

On Feb. 25, 1944, 79 years ago this weekend, the Exchange opened a PX on an island that’s a little less than 2,000 miles from Papua New Guinea and about 2,100 miles from Hawaii, and not much gets in the way when you’re headed in either direction.

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#ThrowbackThursday: February 1994—the Exchange Opened a Store at Walt Disney World

By Robert Philpot / February 16, 2023 /

Valentine’s Day is usually associated with red, but for the Exchange, Valentine’s Day 1994 at Walt Disney World Resort was more about Shades of Green.

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