Military Clothing Store Serves Valued World War II Vet

An Exchange associate serves Leonard Thomas, center and his 97-year-old grand uncle.

Deniz Barcala, manager at the Exchange’s Kleber Military Clothing Sales store and Wounded Heroes Service Center, meets many Soldiers and Airmen.

On this particular day, she and her staff greeted World War II Veteran Anthony Grant, 97, who had flown to Germany to pin the sergeant’s rank on his grand-nephew Leonard Thomas. Grant also needed medals for his World War II uniform, and Barcala’s staff was more than willing to serve a Veteran.

Sgt. Thomas, a regular visitor to the store, brought Grant in to introduce him to the Exchange associates.

“Sgt. Thomas knows our passion for our Soldiers,” Barcala said. “This is why what we do is important. It doesn’t matter what age or when they served— they take care of our country and we take care of them.

“Our customers notice and appreciate the Exchange mission.”