COVID-19 Heroes: JBSA-Lackland Parade Honors Exchange, First Responders
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base Exchange associates wave to the crowd during a May 20 community parade for mission-essential personnel at JBSA-Lackland.
The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base Exchange joined first responders May 20 for a parade honoring mission-essential personnel serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two Exchange pickup trucks, decorated by the Exchange’s visual merchandising team, paraded through base housing areas alongside JBSA-Lackland and Bexar County ambulances, police cars, fire trucks and emergency services vehicles.
Seven Exchange associates waved to the crowd from the backs of the trucks, which were driven by Main Store Manager Rick Evans and Express Store Manager Christopher Faison. The associates were selected by JBSA-Lackland Exchange management for their efforts to make more than 300 face masks for their teammates at the pandemic’s outset in March.
“We were honored to join the parade and be part of this very important recognition,” Evans said. “It was heartwarming to see all the Warfighters and family members waving back and thanking everyone.”
The JBSA-Lackland Exchange has provided safe, sanitized and secure shopping throughout the pandemic, even as civilian retailers closed their doors for weeks during the statewide COVID-19 shutdown. Efforts to protect shoppers include floor markings to encourage physical distancing, acrylic shields that separate cashiers and customers and an increased emphasis on take-out orders at Exchange restaurants. Evans said the JBSA-Lackland fire department invited the Exchange to join the parade in recognition of these continued efforts.
“The fire chief said the department considers us part of their family,” he said. “It was very thoughtful of them to include us.”
Supervisory Customer Experience Associate Linda Long, who participated in the parade, said she and her team were grateful for the outpouring of community support they received at the parade.
“Someone had a sign that said, ‘Thank you so much, we appreciate you,’” she said. “That really meant a lot. Everybody at the parade was clapping, and so were their kids. You should’ve seen their faces; they were so happy to see us.
“When I see people in our community are happy, I know our team has done its job.”
