FORT RILEY – With a wide grin and without an ounce of hesitation, first-grader Billy Sapp Jr. clutched an Uncle Sam hat prop and stepped up to photo booth at the Fort Riley Exchange to send Valentine’s Day wishes across the world to someone very special serving in Korea.

“I love you, Daddy” said Billy, blowing a kiss to his father, Staff Sgt. Billy Sapp Sr., who left Fort Riley for Korea in October—the last time he saw his wife and son. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Billy and his mom, Sue, were the first in line at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s Sending Love to Your Love social media event. The two-day event was tailored to reach thousands of service members from Fort Riley who are serving in Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq. The first event, on Feb. 13, was timed to reach troops in Korea on Valentine’s Day morning. The second event, on Feb. 14 focused on troops downrange.

“The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is thrilled to be at Fort Riley to send love half a world away to all deployed troops,” said Exchange Chief Operating Office Dave Nelson. “This is the first time the Exchange has planned a social media event to reach out to troops far from home. The Exchange has so much respect and appreciation for our customers, especially those serving so far from home. With 8,000 deployed service members, Fort Riley was a natural choice to debut this type of event. ”

The Fort Riley community took photos, complete with whimsical patriotic and Valentine’s Day props, to send love via an album shared on the Exchange Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange. A Facebook Live video feed was streamed as well, so troops could see the outpouring of love in real time or play back the recording when it was convenient for them.

For Liz Rosario, the event let her reach out to her husband, Sgt. Humberto Erazo, who’s been in Korea since October.

“We love him and we miss him,” said Rosario, who brought children Jayden, 12, and Kiannah, 7 to send love too. “There’s a lot of surprises waiting for him when he comes back.”

Cyndi Gilbert sent love across the miles to Iraq to her husband, Maj. Joe Gilbert.

“He’s been there since October,” Gilbert said. “I want to tell him ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ of course, and ‘Congrats on being selected for Command.’”

Lisa Nanton put on a brave face before sending her shout-out to her husband, Sgt. 1^st Class Maurice Nanton, who’s deployed to Afghanistan. The event was Nanton’s first experience with Facebook Live, and she wanted to make sure she had her message to him perfected.

“I’ve never done anything like this—I’m a little nervous—but I thought I’d give it a shot,” Nanton said. “I want to tell my husband that I love him and miss him.”

Families weren’t the only ones sending well-wishes. Service members from Fort Riley sent shout-outs to their friends too.

“This event ties families to Soldiers who are deployed and gives them the ability to communicate with them and show them how much they love each other during holidays like Valentine’s Day,” said Sgt. Maj. Michael Udell.

For the Exchange, the social media event was another way to serve those who serve as the organization plans similar events at other installations.

“From Kansas to Kandahar, we are honored to take care of troops and their families. Serving is tough, hard and dangerous duty,” Nelson said. “We consider it a privilege to go where they go and deliver a taste of home, wherever they are called to serve.”

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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 Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].

Follow the Exchange:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange

Instagram: @shopmyexchange

This entry was posted on Friday, February 17th, 2017 at 07:49 and is filed under Press Release. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.