{"id":2510,"date":"2016-06-23T13:50:40","date_gmt":"2016-06-23T18:50:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2510"},"modified":"2016-12-20T07:49:26","modified_gmt":"2016-12-20T13:49:26","slug":"fort-belvoir-food-court-associate-celebrates-65-years-with-exchange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2510","title":{"rendered":"Fort Belvoir Food Court Associate Celebrates 61 Years with Exchange"},"content":{"rendered":"

FORT BELVOIR \u2013<\/b> A lot has changed since 84-year-old Jasper Gamble first started working for the Fort Belvoir Exchange in April 1955.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Back then, there was no food court with multiple branded food options; just a cafeteria with standard grill fare at 258 South Post. Gamble was 23 and had just moved from Farmville, Va., where he worked in a local restaurant.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While the post may have changed significantly since then, one thing has stayed true over the 65 years Gamble has served: Every day he gets up and walks into work, putting in 40 hours a week as a dining attendant.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just so used to working that I just keep doing it,\u201d Gamble said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Food court regulars have come to know Jasper by name, recognizing him as a familiar figure at the base, said Diane Jensen, Exchange food court manager. Jasper never misses a day, she said \u2013 rain, snow or sleet, he\u2019s in the food court, working to serve the troops and their families.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe could work circles around people 60 years younger than him,\u201d Jensen said. \u201cWhen the weather\u2019s bad and everybody else is calling in, he\u2019s here.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jasper said there\u2019s one thing that has kept him coming in day after day for the past 61 years: the unique customers of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI really like talking to the customers and serving the troops,\u201d he said. \u201cA lot of my cousins and uncles served in the military, so I\u2019m proud to serve the folks who work so hard to protect our country.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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> or follow us on Twitter at <\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or <\/span>hammettc@aafes.com<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t

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