Disabled veterans now allowed on post at Fort Bliss to use commissary, exchange

FORT BLISS, Texas -- The Department of Defense has expanded military commissaries, exchanges, and recreational facilitates to service-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary caregivers.

The DoD along with Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security are working together to implement the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 which went into effect on Jan. 1.

"I think its something necessary and I think it was long over due," said John Ceballos, veteran and chairmen of the 82nd Airborne Division chapter in El Paso. "(The DoD) had been talking about it for a long time. The last change they made, they allowed veterans to access the (exchange) online and now they can actually go into the facility and the commissary," Ceballos said.

Other facilities like bowl alleys, golf courses, movie theaters, and more.

"It’s just welcoming them home to an atmosphere that they're familiar with," said Paula Bradford, store manager of the Fort Bliss Main Exchange. "The exchange has changed a lot over the years and we would like for them to see those changes," Bradford added.

Veterans who apply need a Veteran Health Identification Card from the VA to come to the Army post and shop or use other services.

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