Serving Those Who Serve

To date, more than 1,700 AAFES associates have deployed to dangerous places around the world. Those associates who deploy are true heroes, dedicated to proudly “serve those who serve.” This page is dedicated to those men and women that have left home and comfort to stand along side our brave service members in mud and sand, slept in tents, ate the same MREs and have faced some of the same perils. For the first time in AAFES’ 100 year history, civilians have crossed the front line to ensure Soldiers and Airman are provided a touch of home.

Defense of Freedom medal

The Defense of Freedom medal is the civilian equivalent of the military's Purple Heart. The first recipients that were honored were those Defense Department civilians injured or killed as a result of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

At the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, the medal may be awarded to non-Defense employees, such as contractors, based on their involvement in Department of Defense activities.

The medal itself consists of a golden circle framing a bald eagle holding a shield which exemplifies the principles of freedom and the defense of those freedoms upon which our nation is founded. The reverse of the medal is inscribed with "On Behalf of a Grateful Nation" with a space for the recipient's name to be inscribed. The laurel wreath represents honor and high achievement.

The ribbon is the red, white and blue. The red stripes commemorate valor and sacrifice. The wide blue stripe represents strength. The white stripes symbolize liberty as represented in our national flag. The number of red stripes represents the four terrorist attacks using hijacked airplanes and the single blue stripe represents the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

Deployee stories

These stories represent a sampling of the more than 1,700 deployees and their experiences downrange. If you are a deployee and would like to add your history of your deployment please contact us.