DALLAS – As 2017 marches on, more and more Americans’ New Year’s resolutions are falling by the wayside.

But it’s not too late to kick-start a BE FIT lifestyle—the Exchange offers plenty of healthy meal and snack options to service members and their families looking to eat healthier in 2017.

“The Exchange is committed to encouraging a BE FIT lifestyle,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Along with exercise, proper nutrition is critical to health, readiness and resiliency.”

Several Exchange-operated restaurants serve low-calorie and better-for-you options:

• Subway’s Fresh-Fit® menu includes eight sandwiches with 350 calories or less including turkey breast, Oven Roasted Chicken, and roast beef.
• Charley’s Philly Steaks offers a variety of items with 150 calories or less including grilled chicken, steak and garden salads.
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen diners can choose from more than 20 items with less than 350 calories, including three-piece blackened tenders, Cajun rice and green beans.
• Boston Market has more than 100 meal combinations containing 550 calories or less.

For Soldiers, Airmen and family members on the go, Exchange Express locations offer several new snack options for a quick workout fuel-up, including the low-sugar, high-protein Krave Bar, available in flavors such as Chipotle Cherry Beef and Mango Jalapeno Pork.

Shoppers hungry and in a hurry can also grab Bumble Bee tuna pouches in flavors such as jalapeno, thai chili, lemon pepper, and sun dried tomato and basil. More than 100 Express island coolers also now feature wraps, salads, hummus, yogurt, fresh fruit, milk and hard-boiled eggs.

“The Exchange recognizes how challenging it can be to eat healthy while balancing a military career with family responsibilities,” Reyes said. “That’s why Express stores worldwide offer 348 BE FIT approved items. We couldn’t be more proud to provide service members and their families with the nutrition they need to stay ready to protect America’s freedom.”

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.  To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE – With two deployments to Vietnam and a 21-year Air Force career under his belt, Udall, Kansas resident Lawrence Lazar has seen it all.

So when the McConnell Air Force Base Exchange called Lazar to tell him he won a brand-new Smart Car in the Exchange’s Promotion in Motion sweepstakes, keeping his cool was no problem.

“I’ve been shopping at the Exchange since 1964, and I usually put in an entry for every sweepstakes that I might be interested in,” Lazar said. “I was in a little bit of disbelief when they first called to tell me I’d won; then I went right on in and filled out the paperwork.”

Lazar was awarded the Smart Car, decorated with Welch’s fruit snack graphics, during a ceremony held at the McConnell Exchange Main Store on Jan. 18. Lazar was one of more than 8,400 shoppers to enter the sweepstakes.

Lazar enlisted in the Air Force in 1964. He spent most of his career working in bomb maintenance, munitions, instrumentation and telemetry systems. From 1969 to 1970, he worked at Kirtland Air Force Base on some of the earliest precursors to the airborne laser.

In 1970, Lazar deployed to Vietnam, working on the assembly and transportation of bombs and munitions. He retired out of Barksdale Air Force Base, where he worked on telemetry systems for air-launched cruise missiles and short-range attack missiles, in July 1985 at the rank of master sergeant.

After his retirement from the Air Force, Lazar got a job with Boeing, where he wrote weapons maintenance manuals for B-52 bombers for 25 years. He finally settled in Udall, where he continues to work on welding and vehicle rebuilding projects in his 2,400-square-foot workshop.

“The McConnell Exchange couldn’t be more proud to celebrate Mr. Lazar’s service by presenting him with this unique prize,” said Robin Ayling, general manager of the McConnell Exchange. “This is why the Army & Air Force Exchange Service does what it does—to thank those who give and sacrifice so much to make sure our freedoms are protected every day.”

For information on more Exchange sweepstakes, visit shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.  To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm 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 Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

Follow the Exchange:
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange

DALLAS – After four years of coordination with the Departments of Defense, Army and Air Force as well as several other federal agencies, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) will welcome home potentially 13 million veterans on Nov. 11.

“AAFES is honored to offer this well-deserved benefit to those who raised their right hands, took the oath and served our Nation with honor,” said AAFES Director/CEO Tom Shull. “There are many generations of service members who have not been properly recognized for their sacrifices. The Veterans online shopping benefit acknowledges their service and welcomes them home.”

Extending online shopping privileges to all honorably discharged veterans will directly improve family and support programs for Soldiers, Airmen and their families. Consistent with each exchange’s dividend policy, increased earnings as a result of the Veterans online shopping benefit is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars in increased annual dividends to Quality-of-Life programs for the military community including contingency operations, Army Child Development Centers, Youth Services and fitness centers, Air Force Outdoor Recreation, combat uniforms, overseas school lunches and more.

The Veterans online shopping benefit also strengthens AAFES’ online business to better serve current shoppers. Including honorably discharged veterans will conservatively double exchanges’ online presence, improving the experience for all shoppers.

From technology upgrades to associate training to inventory planning, AAFES has been working on implementation of the Veterans online shopping benefit since it was first proposed in 2013. As a result, most of the required business capabilities are already in place, and AAFES will be ready for a smooth rollout on Veterans Day.

“AAFES, along with its sister exchanges, is ensuring America’s veterans are honored for their service and recognized as Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors for life,” said Shull. “We look forward to welcoming our veterans home this Veterans Day and every day thereafter.”

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm 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 Chris Ward, 214-312-3861 or [email protected].

Follow the Exchange:
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service recently welcomed Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, who took over duties as the organization’s Senior Enlisted Advisor.

As the Senior Enlisted Advisor, Reyes serves as the focal point for communication between Exchange leadership and Army and Air Force active duty, Guard, Reserve, family members and retirees, as he visits installations worldwide to present updates on Exchange activities and provide feedback on issues affecting customers.

“Being selected for this position at the Exchange allows me the opportunity to take care of Airmen, Soldiers and their families,” Reyes said. “‘We go where you go’ is not just a motto, it’s something we truly believe in and I want to ensure all our customers are aware of that.”

Reyes grew up in Newark, N.J, and joined the Air Force in May 1997. He has held a variety of Communications assignments and deployed in support of various operations. Reyes earned an associate degree in Information Systems Management from the Community College of the Air Force as well as a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management and Master of Science in Information Management Technology, both from Grantham University in Kansas.

In his most recent assignment before joining the Exchange, Reyes served as Squadron Superintendent, 690th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Reyes replaced Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, who retired in 2016 after 27 years of military service.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.  To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

DALLAS – Just in time for the “big game,” the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Mars are giving military shoppers the opportunity to win one of 10 shopping sprees.

The Big Game Party sweepstakes will award a $100 Exchange gift card to 10 lucky shoppers worldwide.

“A $100 Exchange gift card can got a long way to help football fans suit up for the ‘big game,’ ” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “Whether it’s tailgate fixings or the latest electronics, authorized shoppers will find it with no sales tax at their Exchange.”

Through Jan. 19, authorized shoppers 18 and older may enter at www.shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes. No purchase is necessary, and a winner will be announced on or about Jan. 26.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.  To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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