History

The Exchange at 125: Meet the Founder of Today’s Exchange

By Robert Philpot / June 30, 2020 /

Rudimentary post exchanges of the late 1800s evolved into today’s Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

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124th Anniversary Month: See How Our Restaurants Looked Years Ago

By Robert Philpot / July 30, 2019 /

Long before name-brand restaurants joined the Exchange family, we operated our own cafeterias, soda fountains and snack bars. We even invented our own “AAFES burger.”

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124 Years Strong!

By Robert Philpot / July 25, 2019 /

“This steadfast and loyal team keeps the 124-year-old shopping benefit alive and well.”

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124-Plus Years of Exchange History is Right at Your Fingertips

By Robert Philpot / July 24, 2019 /

See pictures dating back to the Civil War and read text of the Exchange and its predecessors in the Exchange History Flickr Album. Nearly 13,000 views so far!

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124th Anniversary Week: This Famous Private Told the Exchange Relevancy Story

By Robert Philpot / July 24, 2019 /

The Exchange appeared in comics throughout its 124 years.

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124th Anniversary Week: The Exchange System’s First Five Years Were Tough

By Robert Philpot / July 23, 2019 /

The first five years were definitely not easy. Just ask the prohibitionists.

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124th Anniversary Week: The Exchange Began Here in the Middle of Nowhere

By Robert Philpot / July 22, 2019 /

Learn how the Exchange got its start and where. We still operate a store there.

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124th Anniversary Month: Bet You Didn’t Know the Exchange in the 1950s Operated . . .

By Robert Philpot / July 11, 2019 /

Click to find out some of the things we did in the ’50s.

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124th Anniversary Month: Our MFEs Have Served Troops Since World War II

By Robert Philpot / July 9, 2019 /

From stack wagons to sophisticated trailers, MFEs have allowed us to live up to the motto, “We Go Where You Go.”

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124th Anniversary Month: Postcards, Matchbooks Tell Our History

By Robert Philpot / July 8, 2019 /

Did you know our PXs once appeared on postcards and matchbook covers?

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