Gerald Hoffman, Then
DALLAS – It’s been more than 70 years since Gerald Hoffman served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, but he is still connecting to his military community through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.
At 94, Hoffman is among the oldest of the 62,000 Veterans who have shopped the Department of Defense’s oldest and largest military exchange service at ShopMyExchange.com in the first year since military exchanges welcomed home all who served honorably with a tax-free online shopping benefit.
“I try to use it as much as I can,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman, one of the first 18-year-olds to be drafted in January 1943, served as a control tower operator in the Army Air Corps until April 1946. He now lives in a large senior living facility in Tucson, Ariz., which he says gives him plenty of chances to tell his fellow Veterans about the benefit.
“Every chance I get, talking to a guy who might be a Veteran, I always make a point to bring it to their attention,” Hoffman said.
Gerald Hoffman, Now
Nearly 12 percent of Veterans who have been verified to shop with the Exchange are age 71-90, with the oldest Veteran being 98 years old. Veterans can determine their eligibility to shop at ShopMyExchange.com/veterans.
With 100 percent of Exchange earnings supporting the military community, including Quality-of-Life programs such as Army Child Development Centers and fitness centers and Air Force Outdoor Recreation activities, Veterans like Hoffman are also reconnecting with their military family, remaining Soldiers and Airmen for life.
“This benefit truly thanks all who served our Nation, regardless of age or era of service,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, a Vietnam-era Army Veteran who worked to secure the change in Department of Defense policy to give all honorably discharged Veterans shopping privileges at military exchanges online. “It is such an honor to serve them again.”
Facebook-Friendly Version: One year ago, military exchanges welcomed home all honorably discharged Veterans with an online lifelong shopping benefit. Gerald Hoffman, 94, one of the first 18-year-olds to be drafted in January 1943, takes every chance to spread the word to his fellow Veterans. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-MP
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Alexandra Pirkle, 214-312-2143 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange