DALLAS – On the heels of the release of Thor: The Dark World, the Asgardian Thunder God is starring in a new, military-exclusive, free comic book from Marvel Custom Solutions and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

The 32-page comic features Thor defending New York City from the fearsome Frost Giant, Ymir, in a new adventure by the creative team of writer William Harms and artist Tom Grummett. The free comic also includes an all-new cover by legendary Thor artist Walt Simonson.

Titled “Deep Freeze”, the action-packed story features Thor as he fights to keep the citizens of Manhattan safe from the frozen menace while Jarvis, butler to the Avengers, heroically attempts to lead a mother and her young daughter through the icy battlefield of Stark Tower to safety. Can Thor turn the heat on in the Big Apple or will winter come early this year?

“It’s always exciting when the Exchange and Marvel come together to offer these free comic books for Soldiers, Airmen and their families,” said the Exchange’s Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels. “This is the sixteenth edition of this military-exclusive comic book and our hope is that Service members and their families will enjoy this one as much as they have enjoyed the others over the past eight years.”

“All of us at Marvel owe a debt of gratitude to our real heroes, the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Marvel Editor Bill Rosemann. “And while audiences around the world will thrill to the Thunder God’s exploits in Thor: The Dark World, only service members and their families will be able to read this all-new, all-awesome comic book. It’s the least we can do for the men and women who bravely fight for the freedoms we all hold so dear.”   

Thor: Deep Freeze is free for all service members and their families.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact SSG Mark Matthews at [email protected]or 214-312-4273.

DALLAS – There is no greater honor than to serve those who serve and Army & Air Force Exchange Service associates and servicemembers assigned to the Exchange’s headquarters gathered to do just that during a ceremony to recognize a World War II/Korean War veteran, Dec 18.

Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Bud Moore served in both World War II and the Korean War and is known throughout the Exchange as the “Mayor of the Gym.” At 86 years old, Moore makes health and fitness a priority and his enthusiasm and hard work is contagious.

“I’m just trying to keep the old engine running,” Moore said.

Throughout Moore’s 20 years of service in the Army and multiple tours overseas, he saw vast changes in the structure of the military. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1950s that Moore served in an integrated unit.

During the ceremony, the Exchange’s Deputy Director, Maj. Gen. Joseph Ward, presented Moore with a football signed by many members of the Dallas Cowboys organization.

“Bud is an inspiration, and a highlight of my day,” Ward said. “His stories of service, commitment and patriotism are ones that hold great value. He’s a motivator and an encouragement to all who know him.”

Moore has used the Exchange gym nearly every day for the past seven years and considers the Exchange family to be an extension of his own.

“This is super, I’m shocked,” said Moore. “I am very appreciative of today’s event.”

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact SSG Mark Matthews at [email protected] or 214-312-4273.

DALLAS – Military families at approximately 113 military installations in the continental United States can turn the lights down, grab a bag of popcorn and prepare for movie night as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Red Box have rolled out a new way to rent the hottest movies and video games.

Some 167 Red Box vending machines, deployed by the Exchange, are now providing military shoppers with affordable and convenient opportunities to rent DVDs, Blu-Ray discs and video games.

Red Box rentals are charged at a daily rate. New releases start at $1.20 for DVDs, $1.50 for Blu-Ray discs, $2 for video games and new releases are added every Tuesday.

Online rentals are available as well. Shoppers select their favorite movies and games at redbox.com and pick them up from the kiosk during the next visit to the Exchange.

Returning movies is made even simpler by allowing customers to return movies and video games to any Red Box kiosk location on or off the installation.

“Movies are a great way to spend time with family or unwind,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson. “This service makes that quality time even better.”

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Judd Anstey, 214-312-3861 or [email protected].

DALLAS – Service members and their families continually make sacrifices. Multiple deployments, long training exercises and constant states of readiness can add to the stress of not just being a servicemember, but a spouse or family member as well.

In 2014, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is joining military communities around the world to celebrate the homecoming of America’s brave warfighters by hosting a yearlong “Homeward Bound” campaign to honor those who serve.

“We understand the hardships and sacrifices military families go through,” said the Exchange’s Chief of Staff Col. Thomas Ockenfels. “2014 will be a year to celebrate the return of so many. The ‘Homeward Bound’ campaign is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to service members, and their families, for everything they have done and continue to do.”

The “Homeward Bound” campaign will be a year of discounts, contests and great prizes. To kick off the year, shoppers can enter the Ashley Furniture giveaway from, Jan. 10 –Feb. 6. Three winners will receive a room of furniture valued at $1,500 each. To enter, shoppers can ‘Like’ the Exchange on Facebook and follow the contest rules.

In addition to the contest, Ashley furniture will take 15% off any in-store and online item during the contest period. 

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Staff Sgt. Mark Matthews, 214-312-4273 or [email protected].

DALLAS –Servicemembers can now enjoy instant access to current hit TV shows like Modern Family, Sleepy Hollow, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and more with an exclusive discounted subscription to Hulu Plus through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

“Through this new offering, troops and their families in CONUS and at select OCONUS locations (Afghanistan, Italy and Kuwait to start) can view the latest and best of U.S. programming, wherever they are called to serve,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson.

To get the Exchange’s exclusive Hulu Plus offer and a 10% savings for the first year of service, authorized shoppers can subscribe through www.shopmyexchange.com/hulu. In the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and Guam, this program is available to on- and off-base subscribers.

Hulu Plus is an online video subscription service that offers current hit TV shows, classic series, award-winning movies and more. Hulu Plus subscribers can access premium programming anytime on internet-connected TVs, smartphones, game consoles, set top boxes and additional devices, in HD (when available). 

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs.  To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Staff Sgt. Mark Matthews, 214-312-4273 or [email protected].

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service continues to support the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Healthy Base Initiative through the Exchange’s Operation Be Fit effort.

Operation Be Fit is a program that offers healthier choices to authorized shoppers in the Exchange’s Main Stores, Expresses, vending machines, food courts and school meal program. It also covers athletic apparel and workout equipment in an effort to promote a healthier mind and body.

The Fort Bragg Exchange partnered with the installation for a week long Healthy Base Initiative kick-off event where Chef Jerome Brown, Celebrity Chef to the stars, head chef for the President’s Inaugural Ball and author of the cookbook “Eat Like a Celebrity” conducted a cooking demo at the North Post Main Store.

“Events like these are a great way to emphasize the importance of being healthy and staying fit not only to troops, but their families as well,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Pearson. “Operation Be Fit is great because it focuses on all aspects of health such as eating right, exercise and overall physical and mental health.”

Throughout 2014, the Exchange will continue its charge in helping shoppers make healthier choices by offering themed events throughout the year at select locations. These themes will focus on developing healthy workout routines, preparing food, encouraging shoppers to enjoy the outdoors and overall healthy living.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Staff Sgt. Mark Matthews, 214-312-4273 or [email protected].

DALLAS – The Exchange is making it easy for shoppers to say “I do” to diamond jewelry that will be cherished for a lifetime. The Bridal 2014 catalog shines with the best selection of diamond engagement rings, bridal sets, wedding bands and other jewelry to make a wedding day complete.

In the 16-page catalog, shoppers will find breathtaking diamonds in a variety of carat weights, shapes and colors, including black and aqua. Jewelry collections include My Diamond Story, Expressions of Love, Sirena, Mikimoto and more.

“The Exchange vows to be there for our shoppers during all of the important milestones in their lives, including engagement and marriage,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson.

The Bridal 2014 catalog is available at all main stores and online at shopmyexchange.com.

Exchange purchases are always tax free. Online orders of $49 or more and orders placed with a Military Star^® card qualify for free standard shipping.

Prices in this all-services catalog are valid through March 2, 2014, for any authorized exchange customer. Active duty military members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as military retirees, reservists, National Guardsmen, Department of Defense civilians stationed overseas, Exchange employees and their Family members are all authorized Exchange privileges.

Orders can be placed by mail, fax or phone. Toll-free orders can be placed from the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam at 800-527-2345. The Exchange Catalog center is open around the clock, seven days a week. Complimentary international access calling is also available from several countries. Those numbers are:

Germany                 0800-82-16500

Japan/Okinawa        00531-11-4132

Korea                      00308-13-0664

Italy                         8008-71227

Belgium                   0800-7-2432

The Netherlands      0800-022-1889

United Kingdom     0800-96-8101

Spain                       900-971-391

Turkey*                   00800-18-488-6312

* Calls cannot be placed from phones on base. Use off-base commercial lines.

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Military exchanges have the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and of generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about the military exchanges’ history and missions or to view recent press releases please visit shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].