Wal-Mart Pays Tribute to America's Servicemen and Servicewomen; 'Wall of Honor' Provides Community-Wide Symbol of Support and Honor

BENTONVILLE, Ark, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As our country honors the men and women who serve and defend our freedom this week on Veterans' Day, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is extending its support deep into communities across the U.S. With a long history of honoring veterans and assisting servicemen and servicewomen, the company will show its support, with a chance for the country to participate.

Members of the community who want to honor a loved one who is serving or has served can go to any Wal-Mart or SAM'S CLUB to inquire about and see the "Wall of Honor," recognizable by the store wall of military men and women's photos. This fast-growing program, now in its eighth year, is becoming an annual tradition and symbol for thousands, who bring to the store the photos of those who protect our freedom.

The Wall of Honor is "built" by each community from October through November 11, which is the final day for customers to place a photo of their hero on the wall and receive a free print of their loved one, courtesy of Wal- Mart and Kodak. Both Wal-Mart and Kodak have announced their partnership this year with America Supports You, a nationwide Department of Defense campaign that highlights military support and encourages others to share their gratitude for the troops.

Also this year, Wal-Mart will help create 3,700 Message Books, including thoughts of support, hope and thanks from across America, to be sent to the troops this holiday season. The books are available to sign this week in every Wal-Mart, SAM'S CLUB and Neighborhood Market throughout the U.S. As in years past Wal-Mart, with the assistance of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Foundation, will send these books to our U.S. troops overseas.

"Veterans' Day provides a unique opportunity for our communities to join together and demonstrate our support for the brave individuals who serve our country," said Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president of corporate affairs for Wal- Mart Stores, Inc. "Wal-Mart is proud to honor and support these men and women and helping their families do the same."

In addition to this year's special activities and tributes, Wal-Mart's history of supporting our troops and veterans also includes:

* Donating water, snacks and needed items for troops overseas, those returning home and those being deployed. In partnership last year with the VFW Foundation, Wal-Mart provided 900,000 "M.A.C.K. packs" (communication kits) to help soldiers in Iraq write or phone loved ones; * Providing a $1 million gift to VFW to assist with the demand for services as the nation continues its global war on terrorism. The most recent designations from this fund have been applied to support the VFW's unmet needs program for families and the Fisher House in Texas; * Awarding a $250,000 grant over a three-year period to the Paralyzed Veterans Association for support provided to its membership; * Providing ongoing civic grants from stores and clubs to veterans' organizations and military family readiness groups; * Donating $6 million to help build the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and raising an additional $8.5 million through customer donations, which helped secure the funding to complete the memorial.

Additionally, in September 2004, Wal-Mart was honored by the Employer Support for Guard & Reserve (ESGR) with the 2004 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which recognizes significant contributions and sacrifices made by America's employers of Guardsmen and Reservists.

For more information about Wal-Mart's continuing support of our military and other community giving programs, log on to http://www.walmartfacts.com/ or http://www.walmartfoundation.org/ .

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com/ .