Edwin Perkins, now (left) and then (right)
DALLAS – It’s been more than 70 years since Edwin Perkins served in the Coast Guard prior to World War II, but he is still connecting to his military community through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.
At 94, Perkins 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.
“It’s a great service,” said Perkins, who lives in Berkeley, CA. “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,” Lance Perkins said. “It has become his first option for everything.”
The younger Perkins helps his father place orders by pulling up ShopMyExchange.com on a big screen TV, which allows him to easily search for what he needs. In addition to essentials, such as mobility assistance devices and heating pads, Edwin Perkins has discovered the variety of food and snacks available online with the Exchange.
“Dad is especially fond of ordering cheese,” Lance Perkins said. “He even got some a few weeks ago in preparation for the holidays.”
Lance Perkins says his father knows that the Exchange is the place to go for quality products and service.
“He trusts that the Exchange is only going to stock items that Veterans deserve,” Lance Perkins said.
The elder Perkins makes a point to let his fellow Coast Guard Veterans know about the benefit so they can take advantage of significant savings on low cost, name brand products, too.
“The no-tax feature makes shopping the Exchange a no-brainer,” Lance Perkins said. “This has been a wonderful benefit for him and all the people who have served our great nation.”
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 Edwin Perkins are also reconnecting with their military family, remaining Soldiers and Airmen for life.
“He knows he’s supporting the new guys coming up,” the younger Perkins said.
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.
“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. 94-year-old Coast Guard Veteran Edwin Perkins says the Exchange is now his first option for everything he needs and more. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-N1
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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