History

#FlashbackFriday: December 1963—the Exchange’s Morocco Era Ends

By Robert Philpot / December 13, 2024 /

Sixty-one years ago this month, the Exchange closed its operations in Morocco, where it had operated stores since World War II.

Read More
Hickam Field building damage after Pearl Harbor attack.

#FlashbackFriday: The Pearl Harbor Attack and the Exchange

By Robert Philpot / December 6, 2024 /

This Saturday, Dec. 7, is the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Flashback Friday took a look in Exchange Post archives for connections to the Exchange—and found stories about a few survivors among past Exchange associates. Pictured above is damage inflicted on Hickam Field by Japanese bombers. The post exchange at Hickam…

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: The Exchange’s Connections to President Kennedy

By Robert Philpot / November 22, 2024 /

Today is the 61st anniversary of the president’s assassination, inspiring this look at Exchange activity with a link to him,

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: 1969—Apollo 12 and a New Exchange Launch (But Only One Has Moon Maidens)

By Robert Philpot / November 15, 2024 /

The space-themed grand opening coincided with a holiday theme. Both themes coincided with howling winds and freezing temperatures, neither of which could stop customers from checking out the new store, which replaced facilities that dated to World War II.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: 2014—The Exchange Supports Troops During the Ebola Crisis

By Robert Philpot / November 8, 2024 /

Exchange associates became “personal shoppers” for troops who had to be quarantined after they returned from West Africa to the United States.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: Some Halloween Treats From the Exchange Post Archives

By Robert Philpot / October 25, 2024 /

With Halloween coming up next Thursday, Flashback Friday takes a look back at some Halloween pictures in the Exchange Post archives,

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: The Stories of Three Exchange Associates Who Had Been WWII POWs

By Robert Philpot / September 20, 2024 /

For National POW/MIA Recognition Day, #FlashbackFriday looks back on the stories of Guy Charland, William Yingst and Robert G. Glass, three past associates whose World War II stories go beyond their being prisoners of war.

Read More

Flashback Friday: 1983—The Exchange Comes to Honduras

By Robert Philpot / September 13, 2024 /

On Sept. 13, 1983—41 years ago this weekend—a tactical field Exchange (TFE) opened in Comayagua, Honduras. Two more rapidly followed in the Central American country, one opening Sept. 17 in San Lorenzo and the other on Sept. 24 in Puerto Castilla. In July of that year, the U.S. Military Command in Panama contacted then-general manager…

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: The Exchange Responds After the 9/11 Attacks

By Robert Philpot / September 6, 2024 /

Wednesday will mark the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Exchange associates worldwide offered support in many ways after the attacks.

Read More

#FlashbackFriday: The Exchange Officer Who Sang With the Metropolitan Opera

By Robert Philpot / August 30, 2024 /

Lt. Col Arthur Kent, an Exchange officer assigned to the Fort Douglas Exchange in Utah in 1956, was a reserve officer who for a time had a parallel career as an opera singer. 

Read More