JULY 23, 2024 – U.S. troops in Romania and Lithuania will enjoy complimentary screenings of one of the year’s most hotly anticipated films, thanks to the collaboration between the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and The Walt Disney Company.
More than 3,000 service members at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania and Pabradė Training Area in Lithuania will be treated to showings of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.
The showings will begin on July 25—a day before the movie’s U.S. release—and will continue through July 27.
“Being deployed brings many challenges and stressors with it,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “Having the chance to unwind with a fantastic movie is an important morale boost for our heroes, and it connects them with family and friends who are seeing the movie in theaters back home. A huge thank-you to The Walt Disney Company for teaming up with the Exchange yet again to make this happen for our troops.”
The Exchange’s collaboration with The Walt Disney Company goes back more than a decade, with Disney being the first studio to bring first-run movies to Exchange theaters in the continental U.S. in 2013. Free screenings of blockbuster movies for deployed troops have also become a tradition for the two organizations.
Matt Kalavsky, Disney Senior Vice President and General Sales Manager, Domestic Theatrical Distribution, will personally deliver the film to the locations in Romania and Lithuania and present each service member who attends the screenings with a specially designed coin from Disney.
“It is an immense honor to have the opportunity to contribute something special for these courageous men and women,” said Kalavsky. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the troops for their noble and selfless service.”
The troops are part of Operation Atlantic Resolve and Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce in Romania and Lithuania, where the Exchange also supports them with retail stores, barber services, Wi-Fi/telecom services and food vendors to provide a taste of home.
In “Deadpool & Wolverine,” directed by Shawn Levy, Deadpool’s peaceful existence comes crashing down when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse.
The movie will also play at select Exchange Reel Time Theaters in CONUS and OCONUS beginning July 26.
Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 52nd-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.7 billion in earnings that support the military community, including through contributions to critical military Quality-of-Life programs. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on X at https://x.com/ExchangePAO.
Story by Marisa Conner
Army & Air Force Exchange Service HQ