DALLAS – As the Army & Air Force Exchange Service celebrates the first anniversary of welcoming home all honorably discharged Veterans with a lifelong online military exchange shopping benefit, World War II- and Korean Conflict-era Veterans are among those hailing the ability to shop with the Department of Defense’s oldest and largest military exchange service through ShopMyExchange.com.
These Veterans, now in their 80s and 90s, are the oldest among the more than 62,000 former service members who have shopped tax-free at ShopMyExchange.com, reestablishing a connection to their military community and making life better for those who serve today. Nearly 12 percent of Veterans who have been verified to shop online with the Exchange are between 71 and 90 years old.
“This benefit truly thanks all who served our Nation, regardless of age,” 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. “The oldest Veteran to use the benefit is 98 years old and lives in Minnesota, proving online shopping is for everyone. It is such an honor to serve our World War II- and Korea-era heroes again.”
Gerald Hoffman, Now (Courtesy of Mr. Hoffman)
Gerald Hoffman, Then (Courtesy of Mr. Hoffman)
Gerald Hoffman, 94, was drafted during World War II at age 18. He served as a control tower operator in the Army Air Corps until April 1946. Now, he turns to ShopMyExchange.com for anything he can think of.
“I try to use it as much as I can,” Hoffman said. “I’ve had no problems with it.”
Hoffman 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.
Willard Ammons, who served in the Air Force from 1947 to 1956, deploying to Japan and North Africa, recently bought a mattress set at ShopMyExchange.com.
“They even set it up for me,” said the 89-year-old from Geneva, Ala., near Fort Rucker. “Great inventory, good delivery time—plus good prices and no sales tax. I’m very pleased with the service.”
Edwin Perkins, Then (Courtesy of Mr. Perkins and his son, Lance)
Edwin Perkins, Now (Courtesy of Mr. Perkins and his son, Lance)
Edwin Perkins, 94, who served in the Coast Guard from 1942 to 1944, receives help from his son when shopping at ShopMyExchange.com.
“It’s a great service,” said Perkins, who lives in Berkeley, Calif. “The Exchange has things I need that I can’t find anywhere else.”
Perkins’s son, Lance, says the Veterans online shopping benefit has been a game-changer for his father.
“Rather than go to a big-box store, Dad wants to check the Exchange first,” the younger Perkins said. “It has become his first option for everything.”
Besides essentials such as mobility assistance devices and heating pads, Perkins also discovered the variety of food and snacks available at ShopMyExchange.com.
“Dad is especially fond of ordering cheese,” Lance Perkins said. “He even got some a few weeks ago in preparation for the holidays.”
The assortment of items and quality of service are just some of the perks.
“The no-tax feature makes shopping the Exchange a no-brainer,” Perkins said.
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 Perkins are also reconnecting with their military community, remaining Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen for life.
“He knows he’s supporting the new guys coming up,” the younger Perkins said.
Veterans can determine their eligibility to shop at ShopMyExchange.com/veterans.
Facebook-Friendly Version: One year ago, military exchanges welcomed home all honorably discharged Veterans with an online lifelong shopping benefit. What do three World War II- and Korea-era Veterans have to say about it? Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-Mz
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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