PX Opens at Camp Junction City

Defend America ^ | Nov. 18, 2003 | Jamie Bender

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The first soldiers in line at the new PX began lining up three hours before the scheduled opening. More than 650 Soldiers made purchases on opening day. Photo by Jamie Bender / Staff writer 1BCT
PX Opens at Camp Junction City
By Jamie Bender / 350th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP JUNCITON CITY, Ar Ramadi, Iraq — Soldiers lined up three hours early to make their purchases at the new Post Exchange grand opening Nov. 15. Col. Buck Connor, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, 1st BCT command sergeant major, were on had to cut the ribbon to officially open the PX. Before asking Bob Hunt, Army and Air Force Exchange Service team leader, to cut the ribbon, Connor spoke about the history of the PX system. “For the past 100 years, beginning with the first world war, the PX system has always been there in peace and in war but especially in combat zones,” Conner said. “Once we merged with the Air Force in 1950, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service has been there. They were there in Korea; they were there in Vietnam; they were there in Desert Storm, and they are here now.” Connor also talked about what AAFES brings to the soldiers. “The greatest thing that Mr. Bob Hunt and his volunteers bring to us is a piece of home,” said Connor. “When you go inside there, you will see the same things you see in PX’s in America. What a great joy that is to bring us some normalcy. We can’t thank you enough. On behalf of all the soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team and the big red one thank you and all of your staff for coming to be with us.” The renovation of the building the PX is in was done by the 248th Engineer Company, a National Guard unit. The engineers tore down walls inside of an existing structure and built display stands and wall fixtures. The merchandise sold at the PX comes from several sources and is distributed through a system at Baghdad International Airport. “We should be getting more merchandise every two weeks from BIAP,” said Hunt. “We get our magazines, books and movies from Atlanta. We also get stereo equipment from Germany.”	Getting merchandise here that the soldiers want can be a difficult task and can cause additional problems. “It took us almost two weeks to get this stuff from BIAP because they were having trouble with local nationals not wanting to drive the trucks,” said Hunt. “That can cause soldiers to want to buy everything now while we have it because they are afraid we won’t get more.” To prevent shortages, some items in the PX have been limited to one per purchase. “We suggested that coffee and tobacco products be limited to one per soldier,” Hunt said. “We are low on that kind of stuff, but we don’t want soldiers to buy it all at once because we are going to be here. It’s not like we are leaving next week or something. Just give us time and we will get what you need here.” “We will eventually have 10 third country nationals working here,” Hunt said. “They are individuals who are screened through a contractor and will be living in housing [on the camp].” The soldiers of Camp Junction City have looked forward to the PX’x opening and many felt that it added to their morale. “It gave everyone something to look forward to,” said Sgt. Dave Renjifo, 1st Engineer Battalion. “It makes me feel like the Army is working for me.” For some soldiers, the amount and variety of merchandise was more than they anticipated. “It was better than I expected,” said Sgt. Patrick Leon, 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion. “It had a lot of stock and a good variety. They had everything from electronics to snacks to sundry items.” The first day of business for the new PX served about 700 soldiers, almost half the population who reside at Camp Junction City. With an average transaction of $95, those soldiers spent over $66,000 at their new PX.

[boxerblues]

Sure beats the PX in the Mosul area which is a construction trailer with nothing in it but the basics!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

My sympathies! Maybe we can direct a few care packages to Mosul until they have their own 'deluxe' PX.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

"What a great joy that is to bring us some normalcy. We can’t thank you enough. On behalf of all the soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team and the big red one thank you and all of your staff for coming to be with us.”

~~~~~
Brave Soldiers, risking their lives and grateful for a bit of home in Iraq.

Blurry monitor, again.

[McGavin999]

I heard they had one at Al Asad too, but didn't know what they have to offer. My guys say they don't have to go to the PX because just when they start to run out of "stuff" they get another box. But I'm running out of ideas for things to send.

[Joee]

Anyone who fought in Nam can tell you about the effect of the Koreans on the US PX's stock. I see where they will again have an invite to "black market" the Army Exchange system. Vonderful!!!

[Sunshine Sister]

Okay ladies and gentlemen. I have adopted a soldier with whom I have not received any return messages. I expect he is busy. I want to send him a Christmas package with stuff he and his fellow soldiers can share. I am a non smoker. Is it cool to send cigarettes? If so, what flavor? Are there better things to send? Thanks for the suggestions. I will read them tomorrow as it is time for rest! Thank you God that I don't have to sleep in the sand! Thank you God for our men and women in the military!

[mystery-ak]

Balad just got a PX too...the soldiers cleaned the shelves off the first few days, but now the PX is getting re-supplied more often and the GI's aren't raiding it anymore...LOL...Mike said they are selling everthing there...personal items, coffee, cigs..etc.....all Mike wants is canned fruit and homemade cookies.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[boxerblues]

Is it cool to send cigarettes?

We send the guys Marlboros Lights and Newports and cans of Copenhagen Long Cut even if they dont smoke they can & will be bartered away for something they want.

Bottles of Febreze, dryer sheets and other room fresheners are in high demand...the tents are getting a little smelly

[windchime]

Bump!