Show Your Patriotism With Phone & Gift Cards for the Troops

DALLAS, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Any American can help Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines stay connected this Fourth of July by sending All-Services Exchange long-distance calling and gift cards to those who will mark the holiday far from home.

With deployed servicemembers in Iraq for Operation New Dawn, Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom, and numerous other contingency locations, the distance from home to duty has grown. But as military service locations change, Exchange calling cards help troops stay in touch, while Exchange gift cards let troops get what they want and need, such as snacks and electronics.

"There's nothing like talking to loved ones to help bridge the deployment distance," said the Exchange's Senior Enlisted Advisor, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. "Calling cards not only connect deployed folks in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we also have ship-to-shore cards for Navy and Coast Guard members out at sea."

Both calling and gift cards are available through the Exchange 24-hours a day. Individual cards range from $10 to $500. Individuals and organizations can buy up to 100 cards per purchase.

Gift cards can be used by any military member, stateside or overseas, at any of the Exchange facilities worldwide or online. Receiving cards boosts morale especially for those deployed.

"Exchange gift cards are a great way to ensure troops are able to get what they want," said Helm, noting that there are 80 store facilities and more than 160 food vendors from Afghanistan to the United Arab Emirates in contingency locations.

For nearly 116 years the Exchange has gone where the troops go, and these cards go as well. Americans who don't personally know a deployed soldier but want to help, can purchase cards at the Exchange online site, www.shopmyexchange.com. Midway down the page is the heading "Shop Online" and tabs to the right; click on "Support Your Troops," and under "Don't Know a Person to Send a Gift To?," the site shows six military charities, ranging from the American Red Cross to the USO.

No matter where shoppers celebrate the 4th of July and summer fun, it's easy to help our defenders of Freedom: the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines, with global calling cards and gift cards.

Any American can send gift or calling cards by logging on to https://shop.aafes.com/gcs/default.aspx, or by phoning the Exchange at 800-527-2345.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

Media Notes:  For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Lisa Neidinger, 214-312-4168 or [email protected].

SOURCE Army and Air Force Exchange Service