Grafenwoehr Exchange Associates Serve Military for More Than Two Centuries
At the Tower Barracks Military Clothing store, eight longtime associates have been taking care of the Soldiers for a combined 225 years, bringing expert service to U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, while creating a sense of family among teammates.
The Military Clothing store was first established in 1983 in the Camp Aachen training area. Then in July 2008, when the U.S. Army was expanding their facilities and units, the store was moved onto the main post.
“Any U.S. Armed Forces service member or international troop who has served or trained in Grafenwoehr, has visited our Military Clothing store,” said Store Manager Elke Luber. “It becomes a part of their Europe experience and a memory for life.”
Luber has served the Grafenwoehr community for 35 years and said he could never imagine doing anything else.
“I was looking for a job and applied in 1985 as an operations clerk,” Luber said. “From the very first day I loved working for the MCS. We have the finest customers in the world, and I have never wanted to leave the MCS family.”
Luber added, “The MCS team at Tower Barracks is the ‘Special Forces’ of the MCS world and my teammates, like me, fell in love with the unique mission of our store.”
Exchange Associate Anna Vlasek has also served the military for more than 35 years and has witnessed the many changes the military has gone through, including seven military uniform variations.
“It is a special feeling having gone through so many exercises, reforgers and deployments,” Vlasek said. “Having met so many Soldiers from different eras of the Army’s presence in Europe has been an honor and a pleasure to serve them.”
While Exchange Associate Hanne Fichtl may have only logged 17 years so far with the team, she too could never imagine working anywhere else.
“Keeping our Soldiers stationed here close to the tip of the spear in uniforms and gear necessary to complete their missions is an honor,” Fichtl said. “And being one element of this, gives us a heartwarming feeling.”
“Ask any of the Military Clothing store associates about their job and the answer you will get is, ‘for us, it’s more than a job‒ we are here to serve together at the Exchange,’” Luber said. “The Grafenwoehr team is proud to serve with the family serving family team.”
Associates working at the Tower Barracks Military Clothing store have been serving the Grafenwoehr USAG Bavaria community in Germany faithfully for a combined total of 225 years and are honored to be a part of the family serving family team.
Thank You for doing all that you do.
My son started with the Fort Hood Subway Two years ago. Since he has joined the Armed Forces and now currently Stationed in Grafenwoehr Germany.
As A Proud Mother who has been Serving Our Soldiers with the Exchange for 13 years – My Son PVT Young Really Understand and Appreciate the Exchange Dedication.
Thank You!!!
Sonya Monette
Services Operations Assistant
Services And Vending Office
Colorado Springs Consolidated Exchange Services
Army & Air Force Exchange Services
(719)576-2672
(719)235-7645 Cell
(719)516-6098 Fax
monettes@aafes.com
Visit Our Store On Line! shopmyexchange.com
Hi, Sonya,
Love your family serving family connection! Thanks for sharing it with us. Know how proud you must be of your son!
congratulations to all. graf holds a special place in my heart. i was the first American exchange manger there back in the mid 70’s under the wonderful GM Ray Faucher in Nurenberg . it was a smaller more humble place then but the people were great and i’d like to think we did a lot of good things that have been been built on over the years . carry on ..and continued good luck!
Hi, Frank,
Thanks for your service with the Exchange and for continuing to follow along with. Appreciate your sharing your memories!
These folks are the ones that normally don’t receive credit. Thanks for recognizing them. If we, AAFES, can’t take care of the basic needs of our military than our credibility is gone! Having worked with them in the past I know they are the cream of the crop!
Hi, Matt,
Thanks for reading! We love sharing stories of service and support.
always cool to see my photos posted of special stories…
Nice work!