Armed Forces Exchange store

**Jerry** · 16th September 05, 05:51 AM

I heard this story from someone I trust. If it is too controversial, Hank or a mod please delete it.

Anyhow, there was a plan to put some of the Katrina refugees in an army training facility here in Virginia. The person who told me this said that AFES packed up a lot of merchandice and trucked it to the base to "SELL IT" to the refugees. When Walmart sent a lot of supplies at no charge, AFES packed up their merchandice and took it back to the store. I can't personally say that I saw this, but I do believe the person who told me . I think that this is just wrong and others should know about it.

**davedove** · 16th September 05, 06:29 AM

Although it's a sad situation, AAFES has LOTS of rules to follow, and probably no one with the authority told them to provide the goods at no cost.

Also, don't forget that many of the evacuees have been given debit cards to purchase what they need. AAFES may have been trying to help out by making it easier to buy the goods.

**cavscout** · 16th September 05, 07:09 AM

Just doing a rough "google" search turned up nothing about this story. With the highly political world we live in I think someone would have broken this story wide open to make certain parties look bad.

We've all gotten emails that begin with "I got this from a friend of a friend who I totally trust...". These usually turn out to be inflamatory B.S. Be fore we make too much of a leap to judgement we need to verify an actual source.

Given what we know, assuming the basic story did happen and the exchange sent supplies to a military base, it is entirely logical to think that the supplies were intended for the personnel who would be deployed there to care for and supervise the evacuees. these would possibly be military personnel who are not entitled to the free supplies and would there for need the exchange to purchase there personal items.

Even if the itemes were intended for the evacuees to purchase, also consider that everything the exchange sells is tax free.

**Jerry** · 16th September 05, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by davedove

Although it's a sad situation, AAFES has LOTS of rules to follow, and probably no one with the authority told them to provide the goods at no cost.

Also, don't forget that many of the evacuees have been given debit cards to purchase what they need. AAFES may have been trying to help out by making it easier to buy the goods.

I can't give out my source for this story because it might cost them their job. It also might involve only the local AFES. They seem to have gotten a bit overboard in the last few months, including telling store employees that if they call in sick, they won't have a job when they come back. I know of someone who had gall bladder problems who was made to come into work. When they threw up shortly after getting there, they were told to go home and not paid for sick leave because they worked that day. (about 5 minutes). The person in question had gall bladder surgery a few days later. They were paid sick leave after the surgery, however. Keep in mind that this is "earned sick leave". I can't believe that all AFES are like this one. I'm starting to rant a bit, so I won't say anymore on the subject.

**Satirist** · 16th September 05, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by JerMc

I can't give out my source for this story because it might cost them their job. It also might involve only the local AFES....I can't believe that all AFES are like this one.

I've just sent you a PM.

**Archangel** · 16th September 05, 06:51 PM

When I get a email from a "friend of a friend", unless I know its origin, I treat it as a chain-letter. Snopes.com is the best source for validating these kinds of stories. It's usually up to date. This one doesn't show up so your guess is just as good.
The Mississippi story currently in the penalty box also passed except that the dates for the emergency designations before the storm seemed weird to me. That basically checked out and my supposition was wrong. However, the statements regarding NO not having that designation does not check out, and the letter's political statement seems to be wrong.

Understand that in no way am I attempting to discredit the letter, its humanitarian concepts, or the poster. Nor do I want to make this a political flurry. I'm simply trying to show how snopes.com is helpful in checking these kinds of things out.

**F16WarBird** · 18th September 05, 06:27 AM

Sounds like BS to me. I've never had a problem with AAFES or heard of such a thing in all the years I've been in uniform.

My unit just sent Walmart gift cards to the personnel at Keesler AFB (40% lost everything) to help them purchase essentials.

**Archangel** · 18th September 05, 12:10 PM

I got an email forwarded to me the other day about an Air Force issue regarding, I think, rapid deployment supply issues and Katrina. I've been trying to validate it but not a whole lot of success. I was wondering if I could drop it into this thread where we have some USAF connections and have some feedback? It's nothing to do with kilts, not too inflammatory, I think/hope.

Of course, I understand that if this is permitted by the mods and there is an issue, it can be whistled out just as fast, and that would be okay.

**Jerry** · 19th September 05, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by F16WarBird

Sounds like BS to me. I've never had a problem with AAFES or heard of such a thing in all the years I've been in uniform.

My unit just sent Walmart gift cards to the personnel at Keesler AFB (40% lost everything) to help them purchase essentials.

After hearing from other people who have dealings with AFES, it begins to appear that this stuff is associated with only the management at this one particular AFES. I am glad that the whole exchange system isn't run this way.