ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Today, as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service marks 113 years of service and support to America's military, the command's mission remains basically the same: provide quality goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.
Established July 25, 1895, when the War Department issued General Order number 46 directing post commanders to establish an exchange at every post where practicable, AAFES continues to deliver a comprehensive and customer-focused benefit to troops and their families at installations throughout America, Europe, the Pacific and Middle East.
"AAFES' commitment to America's troops has never been stronger," said AAFES' Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Eaton. "Whether at their home station, deployed overseas, providing support in the wake of a natural disaster, or even in the hospital, AAFES is there."
Keeping in the spirit of exceptional service and support, Andrews Main Exchange and the Exchange Online Store are joining all AAFES exchanges by inviting authorized customers to "celebrate the savings" beginning today. Shoppers who stop by Andrews Main Exchange on AAFES' 113th birthday can score a $100 AAFES gift card with purchase of a Sharp 37" LCD HDTV or pick up a Zvue "Spirit" MP3 player, pre-loaded with 15 patriotic themed songs, for the special buy price of $31.13. AAFES Andrews Main Exchange will also feature a variety of local special incentives such as $10 gift cards and goody bags to the first 113 customers today. Additionally, Andrews BX shoppers will also see selected items priced at $1.13, $11.30, and $113.00, hourly manager specials, and cake for customers both today and tomorrow.
"113 years of service to the military community is a major milestone. We are proud to support the military mission wherever it may take us. The Andrews/Bolling team currently has 5 team members deployed in support of OEF & OIF. This is just another example of AAFES support of the military wherever they are. We thank our valued customers for their continued support of their Exchange," said Ms. Joyce B. Best, Store Manager, Andrews AFB BX.
Shoppers can contact their nearest BX/PX for specific details as contest and promotions will vary from location to location (contact information is available under the "store locator" link at the AAFES website). More money saving deals will also be available at the AAFES website through July 31, including black diamond solitaire earrings discounted more than 45 percent and $150 off an Apple 17" MacBook.
Since its establishment in 1895, AAFES has been involved in 14 major contingencies (to include the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Balkans and Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom) and several dozen humanitarian and disaster relief contingencies.
AAFES is a joint command of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, and is directed by a Board of Directors who is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and of generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs.