Garrison Commander Col. Jarrod Moreland (left) and Fort Huachuca Exchange Manager Jeff Hyatt (lright) presented retired Sgt. 1st Class Anna Merryman with a check symbolizing her prize. (U.S. Army photo by Tanja Linton)
FORT HUACHUCA – The holidays were extra merry for retired Sgt. 1st Class Anna Merryman, a grand-prize winner in the MILITARY STAR® card’s seventh annual Your Holiday Bill Is on Us sweepstakes.
“I was so excited when I found out. I was beside myself,” said Merryman, a Sierra Vista resident who served 20 years in the Army. “I thought they were kidding.”
Merryman’s $8,193 bill was paid in full in a presentation at the Fort Huachuca Exchange. Garrison Commander Col. Jarrod Moreland, Garrison Command Sergeant Major James Prasse and Fort Huachuca PX General Manager Jeff Hyatt congratulated Merryman on her win.
“The Exchange is dedicated to serving our heroes and their families,” Hyatt said. “We’re honored to celebrate Sgt. Merryman and thank her for this service with this prize.”
Merryman and her husband—who retired weeks ago after 24 years in the Army—had used their MILITARY STAR card for nearly all of their holiday shopping, including presents for their two children, three grandchildren, parents, siblings, in-laws and nieces.
Black Friday with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is an annual tradition for Merryman, and she even plans her Thanksgiving celebration around the tradition since “you can get so many awesome deals at the PX” during the holidays. Merryman only ever recalls missing one Black Friday, while her husband was deployed.
“I just want to thank the Exchange for doing what they do. They’ve been so wonderful for the military and retirees,” Merryman said. “I really thank them for being there for us.”
Merryman was one of five grand-prize winners who had their entire MILITARY STAR balances paid off (or received a statement credit if their balance was below $2,500) in the sweepstakes. Ten second-place winners received $1,000 statement credits and 25 third-place winners received $500 statement credits. Since the sweepstakes began, MILITARY STAR has paid off nearly $250,000 in balances for service members and their families.
During November and December, shoppers worldwide automatically earned an entry in the Your Holiday Bill Is on Us Sweepstakes when they used their MILITARY STAR card at any military exchange, ShopMyExchange.com, myNavyExchange.com or at the commissary. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service collaborated with the Navy Exchange, Marine Corps Exchange, Coast Guard Exchange and the Defense Commissary Agency to sponsor the sweepstakes.
The MILITARY STAR card is an exclusive line of credit for service members and their families to use at exchanges and commissaries – no matter where they serve.
Facebook-friendly version: The holidays were extra merry for a retired Soldier at Fort Huachuca, who was a grand-prize winner in the MILITARY STAR® card’s seventh annual Your Holiday Bill Is on Us sweepstakes. Anna M. Merryman had her entire $8,000 bill paid in full in a presentation at the Fort Huachuca PX. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-1Em.
— 30 —
Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen 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 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.2 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. 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 Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
###
Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Marisa Conner at 214-312-5111 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange