DALLAS -- Of the top 20 items purchased in Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF)and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) last month, 15 were in the form of liquid refreshment, according to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).
"It's certainly no coincidence that with the temperatures ramping up there has been a significant increase in the number of cold drinks being sold at BXs and PXs downrange," said AAFES Contingency Planning Chief Lt. Col. Peter Butts. "With an average temperature of 112 degrees this time of year, keeping cool definitely becomes a priority."
Deployed troops [image-nocss] seeking relief from the heat made Monster and Red Bull the top-selling items at 85 BX/PXs scattered throughout OEF/OIF in June. Monster was the biggest seller with troops knocking back 284,482 cans followed by 78,753 cans of Red Bull.
"As the heat builds through July and August, the public can help keep troops cool and refreshed while they carry out their daily missions through the 'Gifts from the Homefront' program," said Butts. "Any American can keep deployed troops stocked with all of the necessities, without the hassle and cost of a traditional care package, with a BX/PX gift certificate that can be redeemed at any AAFES exchange, including 56 facilities in Iraq alone."
Started soon after programs that allowed the general public to send mail addressed to "Any Service Member" were cancelled due to security concerns and transportation constraints, AAFES' military gift certificate campaign allows anyone to make a direct and tangible contribution to military morale with a gift certificate that can be redeemed for nearly anything that a specific service member wants.
Gifts from the Homefront can be sent to deployed troops by logging on to www.aafes.org or calling (877) 770-4438. From there, BX/PX gift certificates are sent to individual service members (designated by the purchaser) or distributed to "any service member" through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross, Fisher House, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or USO. These charitable partners have distributed 24,815 certificates, totaling more than $480,000, earmarked for "any servicemember."
Top 10 sellers at BX/PXs "downrange" in June 2008 (item/quantity):
Monster Energy Drink, 284,482. Red Bull, 78,753. San Benedetto Green Tea, 75,316. Monster Low Carb, 71,987. San Benedetto Peach Tea, 59,139. Newport Kings, 56,466. San Benedetto Lemon Tea, 56,434. Marlboro Lights, 47,114. Arizona Sweet Tea, 37,700. Starbucks Frappuccino Mocha, 31,937.Dallas-based AAFES operates more than 3,000 facilities worldwide, in more than 30 countries, five U.S. territories and 49 states. It operates 143 retail stores and more than 2,200 fast-food restaurants, such as Taco Bell, Burger King, Popeyes and Cinnabon. AAFES also provides military communities with convenience, specialty stores and movie theaters on installations worldwide, including locations in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
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