New PX At Camp Bondsteel Delights Shoppers From Many Nations

European Stars and Stripes | June 27, 2002 | Gregory Piatt

[Stand Watch Listen]

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — It was almost like the day after Thanksgiving.

Peacekeepers from the United States and several other nations flooded into the corrugated metal building on Wednesday to see the new, larger post exchange at Camp Bondsteel.

"Welcome shoppers to the new PX" was the mantra of the Army Air Force Exchange Service officials at the grand opening ceremony. Even AAFES commander Maj. Gen. Charles J. Wax was on hand to cut the ribbon and open the store.

And then, soldiers shopped ’til they dropped.

Pfc. Patricia Ramirez had her arm wrapped tightly around a Playstation 2 box and her other hand held a basket filled with goods. Her eyes were wide as she scanned the 14,500-square-foot post exchange.

"I’m surprised that they have so much stuff," said Ramirez of the 299th Forward Support Battalion. "There is a whole selection of clothes instead of one little rack. I feel right at home. It has everything any other PX has."

When peacekeepers came down here in 1999, they could only shop in AAFES truck trailers stocked with goods. Then, two years ago, AAFES opened up an 8,000-square-foot fest tent and used it as the PX. But the wind and rain took its toll.

"The fest tent was only supposed to last six months," said Patrick Kirkland, the AAFES general manager for Kosovo and Macedonia. "This [new PX] has been a long time coming."

Army Staff Sgt. Mike "Charlie" Ward served in the 1st Infantry Division’s first Kosovo rotation in 1999 and remembers the trailers. This rotation, his shoe purchase granted him the honor as the PX’s first customer. Ward tended to agree with Kirkland.

"It took them longer than I thought it would," Ward said about putting in a fixed building for the PX. "Two years," he pondered. "But it is a good service."

However, the metal building isn’t exactly a new structure. It used to be a warehouse in Taszar, Hungary, said Army Col. William H. Taylor III, commander of AAFES Europe. AAFES worked with the Area Support Group to get the building to Camp Bondsteel since they were downsizing at Taszar.

"We recycled it," Taylor said.

But whether it was a new building didn’t matter to Sgt. Angela Burt of Task Force Med Falcon, who was shopping on the second floor of the two-story PX. What mattered for Burt was more floor space and more items for sale.

"Everybody is excited about the new PX," she said.

In the new PX, there are between 25,000 to 30,000 different types of goods, Kirkland said. He added that AAFES expects to increase its sales by 20 percent to 25 percent.

"It’s really good that they support us down here," said Pfc. Candice Thompson of the 299th Forward Support Batalion. "The soldiers appreciate it a lot."

While the peacekeepers appreciate it, AAFES commander Wax said the Kosovars could appreciate the opening as they are trying to build a free-market society.

Here is a small piece of capitalism, Wax said, just before cutting the ribbon to open the store.

[Stand Watch Listen]

but, but,...but Clinton stated we would be 'out' by Christmas 1995???

[Randjuke]

but, but,...but Clinton stated we would be 'out' by Christmas 1995???

You mean Bill said something that wasn't true? But seriously, I am glad to see the troops get a decent PX, it can make a big difference in morale.

[leadpenny]

I think you mean Bosnia but I get your point. My son did a three-year tour in Germany in the 1st ID and did both Bosnia and Kosovo. The 1ID was supposed to be the "Covering Force" for the 1st AD right before the 96 election.

[Stand Watch Listen]

Thanks...Yes, you're right...Bosnia.

Kosovo, after all, was not even a twinkle in Monica's bombs YET.

[etcetera]

" "Everybody is excited about the new PX,"

Especially thieves and black marketeers...