{"id":2881,"date":"2017-04-12T09:32:36","date_gmt":"2017-04-12T14:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2881"},"modified":"2017-04-12T09:32:36","modified_gmt":"2017-04-12T14:32:36","slug":"at-yongsan-longtime-exchange-food-associate-knows-everybody-and-what-they-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2881","title":{"rendered":"At Yongsan, Longtime Exchange Food Associate \u2018Knows Everybody and What They Need\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

U.S. ARMY GARRISON YONGSAN \u2013 <\/strong>From a tiny room on the second floor of the Combined Forces Command headquarters building at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, Ms. Kim, Man-So<\/a> doles out hot dogs, drinks and friendly smiles, just as she\u2019s done for decades.<\/p>\n

Ms. Kim, the lone food service worker at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s snack shop, has taken care of U.S. and Korean Soldiers at the CFC headquarters since September 1979. She began her Exchange career in 1964, at age 19. For a time, she served as a waitress, delivering food on her bicycle to troops stationed near the Exchange\u2019s distribution center in Korea.<\/p>\n

\"\"Now at age 71 and in her 52nd<\/sup> year with the Exchange, Ms. Kim still works 40 hours a week and exemplifies the Department of Defense retailer\u2019s core value of family serving family. Ms. Kim speaks Korean and some English, but her spirit transcends any language barrier. Each day, Ms. Kim serves up smiles while remembering what her customers like to order.<\/p>\n

The best part of her job, Ms. Kim says, is getting to know the service members who stop in daily. She serves them faithfully, remembering what her customers like to order each day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our office, we call it the \u2018Ms. Kim Special\u2019 \u2013 two hot dogs and a drink,\u201d said Sgt. 1st<\/sup> Class William Brown, who serves in the Eighth Army and stops in a few times a week for a bite to a eat and an energy drink. \u201cShe has a memory like an elephant. She\u2019s awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n

One wall of the tiny shop is covered with pictures, certificates of appreciation and challenge coins Ms. Kim has received over the years. In the photos, she smiles alongside U.S. and Korean commanders who appreciated her service.<\/p>\n

Ms. Kim\u2019s friendliness and attention to detail win everyone over, says her supervisor, Yongsan Exchange Food Court Manager Mr. Son, Chung-Yun.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter their rank, she says, \u2018Good morning! How are you?\u2019 \u201d Mr. Son said. \u201cEvery single Soldier\u2014she greets them the same. She\u2019s the mascot of this building. She knows everybody and what they need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yongsan Exchange General Manager Steve Pena applauded Ms. Kim\u2019s long tenure of service and support.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s very friendly,\u201d Pena said. \u201cShe\u2019s always smiling\u2014just very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though she\u2019s worked for 52 years, Ms. Kim says she has no plans to slow down.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as this space is here and she has her health, she\u2019ll keep working,\u201d Pena said. \u201cShe knows she has a place here and a job to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/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 http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/a> or follow us on Twitter at https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/a>.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Media Notes:<\/strong><\/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.<\/p>\n

Follow the Exchange:<\/p>\n

Facebook:\u00a0 www.facebook.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n

Twitter:\u00a0 https:\/\/twitter.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n

Instagram: @shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n\t

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