April 12, 2017

The Association of the U.S. Army is hosting a two-day event with Operation Deploy Your Dress to give new or gently used formal wear to military ID cardholders.

Formal wear for women and men, donated by individuals and businesses, will be available for free to those holding current military identification.

The event will be held Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30, at AUSA National Headquarters, 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va., just a few blocks from the Courthouse Metro station.

Enlisted members, E-6 and below, get the first shot April 29 with doors opening from 10 a.m. to noon to just those pay grades. From noon to 2 p.m., O-2s and below may select formal wear. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 29 and from noon to 3 p.m. on April 30, the event is open to all ranks.

Patricia Montes-Barron, AUSA’s family readiness director, said the association is “thrilled” to work with an organization that started at Fort Bliss, Texas. “We cannot think of a better way to support military spouses than by providing a fun event that lends itself to comradery and goodwill. It doesn’t get better than Army families taking care of Army families.”

“We are so thankful for AUSA’s assistance in hosting this event and for the many generous donors and donations from across the National Capital Region,” said Yvonne Coombes, an Operation Deploy Your Dress co-founder. “Donations are just rolling in, and it’s thanks to that support and generosity of so many that we are able to do what we do for our amazing military families.”

The Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of AUSA in Washington has participated in a similar gown-donation event with Operation Deploy Your Dress.