DALLAS – Everyday Americans can give troops deployed overseas a taste of home this Fourth of July with an Army & Air Force Exchange Service gift card.

Gift cards that can be redeemed through the Department of Defense’s largest exchange service can be sent to Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines deployed to Afghanistan and other contingency locations worldwide. Service members can use the cards to pick up a variety of morale-boosting items including electronics, magazines, movies, food and cold drinks.

“It’s very important for troops to have those small, but needed, reminders in their lives of loved ones back home,” said the Exchange’s Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels. “Exchange gift cards provide tangible support to those who answer the call to protect America’s freedom.”

While only authorized military shoppers can redeem Exchange gift cards, any American can send one by simply logging on to http://www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/supporttroops/.

From there, Exchange gift cards, ranging in values from $10 to $500, can be addressed to a specific Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine or sent to “any service member” through the Fisher House Foundation, Air Force Aid Society, Warrior and Family Support Center or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

The Exchange operates facilities for service members, retirees and their families in more than 30 countries, 50 states and five U.S. territories. Current operations include 131 main stores, 174 Military Clothing facilities, 72 movie theaters, 850 specialty stores and 1,590 quick serve restaurants such as Taco Bell, Popeye’s and Starbucks.

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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 Conner Hammett, 214-312-4566 or [email protected].

DALLAS – America’s heroes come in all forms, from the troops fighting on the frontlines to families holding down the home front. To honor these men and women, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is teaming up with Dickies to salute the American Hero of the Year with $25,000.

All active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel and their family members are eligible to win a grand prize of $25,000 or one of four runner-up prizes of $1,000. Nominations can consist of a video less than 5 minutes, a photo and essay of up to 500 words or a standalone essay. Nominations should tell what being an American hero means to the nominee and why they are a true American hero.

 “American heroes walk among us every day, and I’m sure this contest will yield heartwarming stories of this sacrifice and service,” said Exchange Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels. “The $25,000 grand prize is a tribute to all service members and their families and the qualities they embody.”

 Entries will be accepted through July 17. Entrants can visit www.shopmyexchange.com/homewardbound and click on the Dickies American Hero of the Year logo to access an application.

 A panel of judges will determine the finalists, who will be named Aug. 4. Public voting at www.militaryhero.com from Aug. 4 through Sept. 6 will determine the winner.

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 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint nonappropriated 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 Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].

DALLAS, TX – Once again, the United States must rely on patriotic Super Hero Captain America and his allies to save the country from impending doom in the latest military-exclusive comic book from Marvel, available for free only at Army & Air Force Exchange Service locations worldwide.

Written by William Harms with art by Tom Grummett, “Divide and Conquer” is the 17^th military-exclusive edition from Marvel since 2005.

In the action-packed adventure, Captain America stealthily infiltrates a massive A.I.M. facility on a volcanic island near Antarctica. There he learns the evil super-genius M.O.D.O.K. plans to unleash a force of indestructible robots created from the secret metallic alloy of Captain America’s own shield. To stop this catastrophic attack, Captain America teams up with the high-flying Falcon, the quick-striking Black Widow, and two elite squads of US Army Rangers to put a stop to the threat. But can this hard-hitting dream team stop the malicious villain before it’s too late?

“If you couldn’t get enough of Cap, Falcon and Black Widow in Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this all-new adventure is crafted just for you,” said Marvel Custom Solutions Creative Director Bill Rosemann. “Everyone at Marvel is honored to have the opportunity to create new stories just for the brave men and women in the Armed Forces, so we packed every page with all the action, drama, humor, and surprises you’ve come to expect from Marvel. And just to show you how much we want to entertain and impress you and your families, we hired legendary artist Mark Bagley to draw the cover! And don’t forget, it’s an exclusive military-only edition…talk about an instant collector’s item!”

“The Exchange always looks forward to partnering with Marvel to bring exclusive comics to military shoppers,” said Col. Tom Ockenfels, Exchange Chief of Staff. “As always, the free comics are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to pick one up sooner rather than later.”

One million issues of Marvel’s “Divide and Conquer” were distributed to Exchange locations worldwide. Shoppers can contact their local Exchange for more information by visiting www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeStores.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint nonappropriated 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.  © MARVEL

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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].

DALLAS – Summer is about to get sweeter as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service teams up with Welch’s/Sour Jacks to offer two military shoppers a chance to drive home a brand-new Smart car.

Through July 31, shoppers can enter the Promotion in Motion Smart Car Giveaway at Exchange locations worldwide for the chance to win one of two Smart cars, each valued at $15,000.

“It’s smart to enter this sweepstakes for a chance at a brand-new car,” said Exchange Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels. “Military shoppers can stop by their nearest Exchange to fill out an entry form. It’s that easy.”

Authorized shoppers 18 years and older can enter the Promotion in Motion Smart Car Giveaway. No purchase is necessary, and the drawing will take place on or about Aug. 29.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint nonappropriated 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 Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].