Hurricane Helene, hitting the U.S. in late September, was a fast-moving tropical disturbance that was rated as the strongest on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida, and it also devastated parts of the Southeastern United States.
Several Exchange associates in the most impacted areas rose beyond the call of duty to take care of their stores and those stores’ patrons during a time when their home bases were being pummeled, and the Exchange cited them as heroes for their bravery during the onslaught.
• FORT EISENHOWER, Ga.
During a ceremony on Nov. 8, Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tom Shull honored Fort Eisenhower, Ga., Exchange General Manager (GM) LaToya Harris and eight other associates for going above and beyond in serving the community before, during and after Hurricane Helene.
QUICK RESPONSE
Several military installations were affected when Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern United States. One of the hardest-hit areas was Fort Eisenhower, which was without power or water for several days.
The Fort Eisenhower PX responded quickly. The storm hit on a weekend, and by Monday, Exchange food-truck vendors were at the post, serving appreciative customers.
Fort Eisenhower’s Garrison Commander, Col. Anthony Kazor, contacted the Exchange on Sept. 29 to expedite delivery of a Mobile Field Exchange (MFE) as nearly 5,000 Advanced Individual Training (AIT) students and more than 7,000 family members on post went without power or water.
Within four hours, an MFE was on the road from the Waco, Texas, Distribution Center. It was set up at Fort Eisenhower by Oct. 1.
South East Regional Vice President (VP) Tony Pares, who was at Fort Eisenhower with the associates during the ceremony, recalled that he was in continual communication with Harris before the storm, which at first was not expected to have a big effect on the installation.
“And then the hurricane just kept shifting and then shifting,” Pares said, praising Harris and her team’s resilience and dedication. “Every one … in this room lost power, lost water —not for days, but for weeks, LaToya included.
“And all I kept hearing was, ‘Boss, we’ve got to get on post, they need us. We’ve got to get there. Can we get an MFE? Can we get generators?’
“This group of people truly went above and beyond to do what’s right and to serve our family here at Fort Eisenhower.”
COIN PRESENTATION
Along with Shull, also on the call were Exchange Executive Vice President (EVP) and President Jason Rosenberg; EVP and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Marla Randolph; Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez and Eastern Region Senior Vice President (SVP) Bob White.
As Shull presented his Director/CEO Challenge Coins to the associates, he stated, “You are absolutely stunning in terms of what you did to support the community, putting your own personal safety aside.
“You truly did the right thing at the right point, before, during and after the storm, taking care of the community. For that, we will always be grateful to you.”
Those associates earning coins included Natasa Stroud, visual merchandiser, 11 years of Exchange service; Mirrissa Fisher, store manager, Gate 1 Express, seven years of Exchange service; Cindy Maynard, store manager, Gate 5 Express, 31 years of Exchange experience; and Carnetta Florence, food court manager, 34 years of Exchange experience.
Also, Dorothy Bruton, computer operator, 16 years of Exchange experience; DeShawn Whitaker, assistant main store manager, eight years of Exchange experience; Julie Fuentes McVey, services operations assistant, 20 years of Exchange experience; Carla Ray, vending operations assistant, 15 years of Exchange experience; and GM LaToya Harris, 20 years of Exchange experience.
“We all know how devastating Helene was,” said Rosenberg, who also presented his coin to the associates. “Eastern Region deals with storms, but they’re not usually way up in Augusta, Georgia. You guys have never experienced anything like this.
“But you stepped up just like those do who go through it every year. In my view, it’s the closest thing to deployment.”
Randolph pointed out that nobody asked the associates to come to work after the storm — they just showed up.
“You’re a great team,” she said. “You were there for your teammates, you were there for your community, you were there for friends. In our book, you are heroes.”
Fort Eisenhower Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel R. Durette and retired Lt. Col Brian Barrett, husband of Lt. Gen. Maria Barrett, commanding general of U.S, Army Cyber Command at the post, were also at Fort Eisenhower with the associates.
“You personally sacrificed your own time,” said Durette, who handed each of the associates their Exchange certificates as well as presenting them with his own coin.
“I heard how it was off post, with no traffic lights,” he recalled. “But you guys sacrificed in order to come help our precious resources, the Soldiers and families at Fort Eisenhower.”
• MacDILL AFB, PATRICK SFB, Fla.
Commands from Florida’s MacDill AFB and Patrick SFB honored Exchange associates at those installations for their work before, during and after Hurricane Helene.
The storm hit in late September and its effects were felt well into October. It affected installations in six states, but Florida and Georgia exchanges took the biggest hits.
Exchange facilities sustained minimal damage but several endured power failures that led to food losses, as well as delivery delays because of poor road conditions.
MacDill AFB and Patrick SFB took a double whammy — a week after Helene passed, Hurricane Milton blew across the Florida peninsula, affecting both installations.
HONOREES
Col. Robert Magee, commander, 6th Mission Support Group at MacDill AFB, and Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Haberkorn presented coins and certificates to these associates:
MacDill AFB Main Store
Anthony White, stockroom manager, 18 years of Exchange experience; Sharon Sellers, sales area manager, 22 years of Exchange experience; Argelio Evarist Aguirre Montero, custodial worker foreman, six years of Exchange experience; Angel Matias, custodial worker, 22 years of Exchange experience; Roger Mosquera, custodial worker, seven years of Exchange experience; and Joanne Scott, store manager, 35 years of Exchange experience.
- MacDill AFB Express
Cynthia Russell, shift manager, 28 years of Exchange experience; and Sarah Lopez, store manager, 26 years of Exchange experience. - MacDill AFB Food Court
Clay Tsehaye, food court manager, 26 years of Exchange experience; and Wanda Sneed, food concept manager, Charleys, 38 years of Exchange experience. - MacDill AFB Burger King
Kenitchi Pamintuan, manager, 14 years of Exchange experience; and Jordan Tilley, food service foreman, seven years of exchange experience. - Patrick SFB Express
Thomas Stephenson, store manager, eight years of Exchange experience; Anna Geraneo, shift manager, 18 years of Exchange experience; Walter Stewart, warehouse worker, 37 years of Exchange experience; Bobby Jackson, laborer, eight years of Exchange experience; and Robert Mancinelli, store associate, nine years of Exchange experience.
• MOODY AFB, FORT STEWART Ga.
Commands from Georgia’s Moody AFB and Fort Stewart honored Exchange associates at those installations for their work before, during and after Hurricane Helene.
The storm hit in late September and its effects were felt well into October. It affected installations in six states, but Georgia and Florida took the biggest hits.
Exchange facilities sustained minimal damage but several endured power failures that led to food losses, as well as delivery delays because of poor road conditions.
The Moody AFB Express was able to open using a generator, and for a time was the only store open on the installation.
HONOREES
- Lt. Col. Tanner V. Smith, commander of the 23rd Civil Engineering Squadron, and Chief Master Sgt. Yucari S. Brown, senior enlisted leader, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron, recognized these Moody AFB associates for their support:
- Katherine Armagost, customer experience associate, 30 years of Exchange experience; Betty Bramley, Moody AFB Express shift manager, 23 years of Exchange experience; Mauricio “Tony” Cruz, Moody AFB Express shift manager, 13 years of Exchange experience; and Dale Killip, general manager (GM), Robins AFB-Moody AFB Exchange, 13 years of Exchange experience.
- Also, Eleda Locklin, Moody AFB Express store manager, 17 years of Exchange experience; Camisha Smith, Moody AFB Main store manager, 20 years of Exchange experience; Alanza Temple, Moody AFB Express shift manager, 13 years of Exchange experience; and Yvette Villaverde, Moody AFB Military Clothing manager, 15 years of Exchange experience.
- At Fort Stewart, Maj. Gen. Christopher R. Norrie, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, and 3rd Infantry Division Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Reffeor recognized five associates.
The team received coins and certificates of appreciation from MG Norrie, presented by 3rd Infantry Division Chief of Staff Col. Stephen A. Fairless.
The associates who were recognized were:
April Davis, Express manager, 21 years of Exchange experience; Wanda James, Popeyes facility manager, 30 years of Exchange experience; Paz Johnson, food court manager, 32 years of Exchange experience; Yvonne Palmieri, main store manager, 24 years of Exchange experience; and Diana Perkins, Express manager, 15 years of Exchange experience.
Source: AAFES
Edited by Larry Lapka
