Photo By Bob Harrison | BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN (July 25, 2016) - Jerome Mellilo, Army and Air Force...... read more read more
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BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN (July 25, 2016) – The Army and Air Force Exchange System team at the Bagram Post Exchange gathered today to celebrate the 121st birthday of AAFES.
AAFES-Afghanistan has stores or operations at several locations throughout the country; including Kabul, Kandahar, and several other forward operating bases and outposts.
Jerome Mellilo, AAFES general manager, and his Bagram staff held the celebration inside Bagram’s main store complete with a birthday cake and a raffle of vendor-donated items for all the patrons and guests attending the event.
U.S. Army Col. G. Shawn Wells, Jr., Bagram Support Group commander, began the celebration talking about the value of AAFES going whenever they can everywhere U.S. service members are stationed or deployed.
“Absolutely, everybody, thanks for coming and celebrating the 121st birthday of our great AAFES group,” said Wells. “They do a lot around the world as you know, not only are with us in bases, camps and stations in the States. One of the things I’ve always appreciated is that no matter where you go, it’s [AAFES] is like a little touch of home.”
Wells noted the service and commitment of AAFES employees everywhere, ensuring that troops are able the goods and services that are important to them, “Most of the folks here [AAFES team] volunteer to do this. AAFES thank you very much for all you do keeping service to all our service members, civilians, and contractors here.”
Wells also reminded everyone to remember how important AAFES is to each of us, individually, “All I ask today, if you get a chance, go up to an AAFES employee and say thank you for what they do for us.”
Mellilo thanked everyone for coming and gave a special thanks to the AAFES vendors who provided the many raffle items, “I would like to thank the command for their support and I also want to thank everybody who shops at AAFES. “
Mellilo then looked to Wells and said, “Let’s cut some cake, Sir.”
Assisted by the Bagram AAFES staff and with the loan of a mighty sword, Wells sliced the ceremonious first cut with a loud thump, exclaiming that’s how we cut cake in the Army. The cake was served to visiting patrons as the raffle began.
AAFES celebrated its July 25, 1895 birthday, the day when General Order No. 46 set the standard for the concept and mission of today’s Exchange Service.
The lineage traces back further, all the way to the American Revolution when the troops then needed goods at reasonable prices. Sutlers followed military camps providing food, drink, and even entertainment. Eventually the positions became known as post traders followed by the establishment of canteens. In 1889, General Order No. 75 permitted canteens at all posts and then in 1982 another General Order changed the name to the Post Exchange just three years before the birth of concept and mission that we know today as AAFES.
Here in Afghanistan and around the world for one hundred and twenty one years, The Army and Air Force Exchange System continues to live up to its motto…
“We go, Where You Go.”
On behalf of all the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Civilians and Contractors, Happy Birthday AAFES, and Thank You.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2016 02:42 |
| Story ID: | 205168 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 566 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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