{"id":2226,"date":"2015-12-08T14:41:13","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T20:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2226"},"modified":"2015-12-08T14:41:13","modified_gmt":"2015-12-08T20:41:13","slug":"army-air-force-exchange-service-spreads-holiday-cheer-to-basic-military-training-recruits-at-lackland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2226","title":{"rendered":"Army & Air Force Exchange Service Spreads Holiday Cheer to Basic Military Training Recruits at Lackland"},"content":{"rendered":"

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND \u2013 <\/span><\/b>Airman Michael Bacos<\/span><\/a> leaned over the jewelry counter at the Exchange at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, looking for the perfect sparkling gift to send to his wife back home in Dothan, Ala.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The 21-year-old Airman, in fourth week of Basic Military Training, is spending his first holiday away from his wife, Courtney.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s rough,\u201d Bacos said. \u201cI\u2019ve only been able to talk to her twice since I\u2019ve been here.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"DSC_3077\"<\/a>Bacos and about <\/span>2,800 other Basic Military Training recruits<\/span><\/a> were treated to a morning of holiday cheer at the Lackland Exchange, which opened extra early Dec. 5 to give the Airmen, many of whom are spending their first holidays away from parents, sweethearts and friends, a chance to <\/span>buy the perfect present<\/span><\/a> to send back home.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Lackland Exchange team worked for months to plan the event, which gave the recruits a brief respite from the rigors of basic training, said Alison Clement, Exchange sales & merchandise manager.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis gives them a chance to cut loose and bond with their peers,\u201d Clement said. \u201cWhen you\u2019re 19 and away from family for the first time at Christmastime\u2014it\u2019s hard.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"DSC_3061\"<\/a>Army & Air Force Exchange Service senior leaders, including Deputy Director Mike Immler, Chief Operating Officer\/President Mike Howard, Western Region Senior Vice President Dave Nelson and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, the Exchange senior enlisted advisor, greeted the recruits throughout the Exchange.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to the Exchange\u2014we\u2019re glad you\u2019re here,\u201d <\/span>Immler told recruits outside the Exchange<\/span><\/a> as they left buses and headed inside for revelry.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides <\/span>shopping<\/span><\/a>, Airmen were treated to photos with Santa, party-themed music from a DJ and a dance contest.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love the atmosphere\u2014this is awesome,\u201d said <\/span>Airman Katie Plickert<\/span><\/a>, who\u2019s in her fourth week of training.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While listening to music and watching her fellow recruits dance it out, Plickert, 18, from Cleveland, Ohio, browsed for Air Force souvenirs for her mom.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard being away this time of year, but my family is supportive,\u201d she said. \u201cThey\u2019re proud of me, so that makes it easier.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Once Plickert and the other recruits had completed their purchases, buses took the Airmen to the Basic Military Training Reception Center, where volunteers from the Exchange and Lackland organizations <\/span>gift-wrapped<\/span><\/a> the items for free. <\/span>UPS<\/span><\/a>, an Exchange concession, was on hand to ensure the gifts made it to their final destination.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Col. William Fischer, commander, 737th<\/sup> Training Group, says recruits appreciate the event each year.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor many, this might be first time they\u2019re away from home with real jobs and their own money to buy gifts for family and friends,\u201d Fischer said. \u201cThe young trainees really like it\u2014and it\u2019s great that we have this partnership with AAFES.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>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.\u00a0 To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at <\/span>http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or follow us on Twitter at <\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>###<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Media Notes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or mitchelljul@aafes.com<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t

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