The Army & Air Force Exchange Service announced today that they would continue to honor and redeem "Certifichecks," gift certificates that have been purchased for service members, despite the recent announcement that Certifichecks has ceased operations.

"Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors or Marines can be assured that if they have one of these gift certificates they will still be able to use them to purchase whatever they need at our stores," said AAFES' Chief of Corporate Communication Lt. Col. Dean Thurmond.

When AAFES' troop support initiative,"Gifts From the Homefront," was initiated nearly six years ago, Certifichecks allowed more flexibility than a traditional gift card due to the fact that they could be redeemed at other exchange systems, regardless of branch of service. Today, an AAFES gift card is also accepted at any Navy or Marine exchange, thus making it a more convenient option.

"In addition to its convenience, AAFES gift cards also improve the morale of troops and ensure that they are able to get exactly what they want while reducing shipping expenses for military supporters," said Thurmond.

AAFES gift cards, up to $500, can be sent by any American who logs on to www.aafes.com or calls (877) 770- 4438. From there, BX/PX gift cards 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 Foundation Inc., Navy-Marine Corps Relief, USO or Soldiers Family Assistance Center.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Families and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.