Arnold Base Exchange celebrates 120 years

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  Arnold Air Force Base Exchange began operations in the 1960s. But Arnold Exchange employees and shoppers shared in a world-wide celebration with other Army and Air Force Exchange Service facilities in recognition of the organization's 120th anniversary July 25.

There are 2,440 Exchange facilities across the world - in 33 countries, 50 states and five U.S. territories. Arnold's Exchange is known as the Arnold Retail Store.

Theresa De Los Santos, Arnold Air Force Base Exchange shift supervisor, described the activities that took place during the celebration where AEDC Commander Col. Rodney Todaro was in attendance.

"For our 120th [celebration] at the Exchange we gave away a Go-Pro camera, a crawfish boiler and a Budweiser picture," she said. "We celebrated with a cake cutting ceremony where Col. Todaro cut the cake."

The mission of the Exchange is to make the lives of Soldiers and Airmen better through the goods and services they offer with a motto of, "We go where you go."
Arnold Exchange offers the same items found in off-base retail stores. De Los Santos said if Arnold doesn't have an item, they can have it delivered from Fort Campbell, Ky. They also price match products.

Another part of the mission is a focus on family serving family.

During a celebration July 23 at the Exchange Dallas headquarters, Exchange Director Tom Shull commented on the mission to personnel.

"We are here celebrating 120 years because of your steadfast dedication," Shull said. "Inspired by a love of country, you go where they go. 120 years after our founding, we remain family serving family."

De Los Santos also shares the same sentiment.

"At AEDC we have a personal relationship with each of our customers," she said. "The customers we service are retirees, veterans, active-duty and their families. We talk with them and get to know their needs. We serve the best customers in the world and that is how they are treated when they come to the Arnold Retail Store."

The Arnold Exchange employs five people consisting of military family members. Approximately 26 percent of the Exchange's nearly 35,500 associates are military family members; 10 percent are veterans; and two percent are active duty, Guard or Reserve personnel.

In the past 10 years, the Exchange has distributed more than $2.4 billion for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program to fund quality-of-life improvements.

-AEDC-