Soldiers of the 50th Regional Support Group (RSG), USO representatives, and Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) employees celebrated a recently-constructed AAFES building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Forward Operating Site Powidz, Poland, on Aug. 6, 2021.
Adriana Piechalak, AAFES manager, and Army Col. William Temple, commander of the Florida Guard’s 50th RSG from Homestead, Florida, cut the ceremonial ribbon that allowed patrons to enter and enjoy some cake in the new location.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony recognized the “soft opening” of the new site, which will soon replace the old. The official, grand opening for the new facility is scheduled for late August.
“The exchange not only represents a place to get snacks and sodas, but sometimes even a place to decompress and relax for a little while with battle buddies when a day in the military has been really hectic,” Temple said in his speech that recognized the close, long-standing relationship between AAFES and the U.S. military. “Today’s ribbon-cutting here at Powidz represents a new chapter in the Exchange’s history, and the latest improvement in quality of life for Soldiers stationed so far from home.”
The new AAFES location represents an upgrade by offering increased floor space and a greater selection of items for purchase by deployed Soldiers.
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