Thousands Attend NEX Customer Appreciation Weekend on Guam

By Oyaol Ngirairikl and Mass Communications 2nd Class (SW) Corwin Colbert, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas Public Affairs Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Military service members and their families attended Navy Exchange (NEX) Customer Appreciation Weekend on U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) April 29 to May 2. From meeting Medal of Honor recipients to watching martial arts, fencing, magic, bike and skateboarding and musical performances, NEX patrons enjoyed the four-day long event.

NEX hosted the event to thank its customers and honor military personnel and families for their service.

Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Loretta Glenn, of Navy Exchange Service Command, said the weekend celebration was a collaborative effort between NEX, the Navy, Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and their vendors.

"Our mission first and foremost is we provide quality products, and we support quality of life programs for the Navy," said Glenn. "This is a way for us to say to the Sailors and their families and the authorized patrons that shop NEX and MWR - thank you for supporting us."

Glenn said she was proud of what NEX Guam did to make the event possible for patrons, but also of what they do throughout the year.

"They just go out of their way to support the family members here in Guam. This event is proof of that. It's so successful and people are enjoying themselves, and that's our ultimate goal to give back to the families and have them just to relax and enjoy all the events, vendors, performers and the bands," said Glenn.

The events started April 29 with a concert by Musician 3rd Class Tommy Stanley, who opened for San Diego alternative rock band Switchfoot. Stanley, a vocalist with Navy Band Northeast, based in Newport, R.I., was a finalist in the 2008 season of "Nashville Star," a televised country singing competition. Stanley has also performed for Military Appreciation Day and said he enjoyed sharing his music with Guam's military members.

"It is great to see fellow service members having a great time listening to my music," said Stanley. "I was really excited at how many military people like my music. A lot of thanks goes to the NEX for running the show."

NEX had a fun run for adults at the Orote Commissary and footwear clinics inside the store April 30. There was a fun run for kids and an agenda of performances, including a Keebler Elves performance, a martial arts demonstration by Sideswipe and stunts by Bucky Lasek and other big-name biking and skateboarding athletes, May 1.

Mason Ludwig, a Guam High School student, got an opportunity to meet with one of his favorite skateboarders, Tony Alva, a Vans Skate Team rider.

"It was pretty cool getting to see all the skaters," said Ludwig. "It was awesome seeing Tony Alva in person. I also got to meet him during the autograph session, so that was good."

Tyler Brent, who is also a Guam High School student, said he enjoyed watching the skateboarding demonstrations and other events.

"It's been a really good time," said Brent. "I watched the performances, and they're all pretty cool."

The appreciation weekend ended May 2 with a fishing derby, a Humvee pull, video game competitions and a cooking demonstration by Peter Duenas, a chef and host of the local cooking show "The Outdoor Chef."

Lt. James David, of U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, and his family were among the thousands who filled the NEX May 1, watching various performances and getting autographs from Donald Ballard and Kenneth Stumpf, two Medal of Honor recipients.

"It's not everyday you get to meet and speak with the heroes, so I really appreciated the opportunity," said David. "It's even more special for us because our kids get to meet them as well. They got to see what real heroes are. They got to shake their hands and even talk to them. It's really exciting."

Since its inception in 1946, NEX's mission has been to provide its customers quality goods and services at a savings and to contribute to quality of life programs. NEX is one of the Navy Exchange Service Command's six primary business programs, which also include the Ships Stores Program, Uniform Program Management Office, Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, Navy Lodge Program and Telecommunications Program Office.