DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service paid off the MILITARY STAR card accounts of a young Soldier and two Vietnam Veteran Airmen as part of its third annual Your Holiday Bill Is On Us sweepstakes.

The grand prize winners, Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Graser of Tucson, Ariz., retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Barrett of Lakeland, Fla., and retired Air Force Master Sgt. Ronald Adams of Fort Walton, Fla., were selected randomly out of nearly 5 million entries worldwide to have their MILITARY STAR card accounts paid in full up to $8,200.

All three winners, who used their MILITARY STAR cards at Exchange during the holiday shopping season, had balances less than the prize $2,500, so they received statement credits as well.

“It’s a privilege to honor these deserving MILITARY STAR cardholders by paying their account in full,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “Sgt. Graser, Chief Barrett and Sgt. Adams are proof real heroes win at the Exchange. We’re looking forward to bringing this sweepstakes back for the fourth time during the 2017 holiday season. Just like in previous years, every swipe will be a grand-prize entry.”

Graser, a recruiter assigned to U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Phoenix, received his prize during a presentation March 24 at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Exchange, where he took scissors to an oversize MILITARY STAR card statement to symbolize his account being wiped clean.

“Winning this prize has taken a load off,” said Graser, who also received a statement credit of roughly $700. “This really means a lot to me.”

For Barrett, who served for 30 years, including in Vietnam, the win was a welcome surprise. He travels 100 miles round trip to shop the MacDill Air Force Base Exchange a couple times a month—sometimes more. He had his small balance paid and received a statement credit of more than $2,400.

“This is amazing,” the 78-year-old said during his prize presentation at the MacDill Exchange.

Adams, 67, also served in the Air Force during Vietnam. He spent 24 years in the military, spending most of his career maintaining C-130s. He had his small balance paid in full and received a statement credit of more than $2,200 during a ceremony at the Hurlburt Field Exchange.

“I was skeptical when I got the call,” said Adams, who shops the Exchange weekly with his wife, Kathy. “I had to trust but verify. When you see these contests, you say, ‘That’s someone else. It’ll never be me.’ It really was a surprise.”

The MILITARY STAR card is an exclusive line of credit for the military and their families to use at the Exchange—no matter where military members serve. During November and December, shoppers were automatically entered in the Your Holiday Bill Is On Us sweepstakes each time they used their MILITARY STAR card to pay for purchases at any Army or Air Force Exchange location or on shopmyexchange.com.

The sweepstakes had 10 second-place winners, who each received $1,000 MILITARY STAR statement credits. Twenty-five third-place winners, including 95-year-old Helene Gonzalez, a widow of a Vietnam Army Veteran, received a $500 credit. Gonzalez received her prize alongside Graser at Davis-Monthan.

Each holiday season the Exchange gives away a minimum of $30,000 to MILITARY STAR cardholders who utilize their exchange benefit using a MILITARY STAR card during November and December. In addition to the annual sweepstakes, the MILITARY STAR card offers exclusive savings year round with 5 cents off per gallon when filling up at Exchange Expresses and 10 percent off food purchases at Exchange-operated fast food restaurants. Authorized shoppers can learn more about the MILITARY STAR card at www.MyECP.com.

Facebook Friendly-version: Their holiday bills were on us! The Army & Air Force Exchange Service paid off the MILITARY STAR card accounts of a young Soldier and two Vietnam Veteran Airmen as part of its third annual Your Holiday Bill Is On Us sweepstakes. Read more and view photos here.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.  To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or [email protected].

Follow the Exchange:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange

Instagram: @shopmyexchange

DALLAS – For 17 years, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s You Made the Grade program has been a cornerstone of military life.

Now, students who participated in the program as children are passing it on to another generation of military students—and the Exchange is ready to honor their achievements.

In recognition of military students who excel, the Exchange is rewarding high-achieving scholars in first through 12th grades who maintain a B average or better with a coupon book filled with free offers and discounts.

“The Exchange appreciates the strength and resiliency of all military children,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “To excel academically while dealing with frequent moves, deployments and parents’ long working hours is a significant achievement. That’s why the Exchange has rewarded military students for 17 years running with the You Made the Grade program.”

The You Made the Grade booklet includes coupons for free food such as a classic 6-inch sub at Subway; bacon double cheeseburger and small fry from Burger King; a small chicken Philly sandwich at Charleys; Burrito Supreme or Taco Supreme from Taco Bell; and a Chicken Po’Boy at Popeyes.

Students who made the grade will also score Snack Avenue coupons for a free fountain drink, including the Yeti frozen carbonated beverage; a complimentary hot dog, Tornado or Rollerbite; and a free 14-ounce Crystal Cool Cow milk or chocolate milk. Other offers include 10 percent off any pair of footwear and $5 off any one piece of Under Armour apparel. Offers are valid through July 31.

The booklet also includes an entry form for the You Made the Grade semiannual sweepstakes. Students can enter to win Exchange gift cards worth $2,000, $1,500 or $500. Entries can be submitted twice per year, with drawings typically held in June and December. The most recent sweepstakes winners were from Fort Gordon, Ga.; Fort Lee, Va.; and Fort Belvoir, Va.

Students, including those who are home schooled, can receive a You Made the Grade coupon booklet by presenting a valid military I.D. and proof of an overall B average at their local Exchange’s customer service area. Eligible participants can pick up one booklet for each qualifying report card.

Students and guardians can contact their local Exchange for more information about the Exchange’s You Made the Grade program. Contact information for your nearest store can be found at shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores/.

Students can send You Made the Grade sweepstakes entry forms, which are included in the coupon booklets, to:

You Made the Grade
PO Box 227398
Dallas, TX 75222-7398

Facebook Friendly Version:

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is rewarding high-achieving scholars with special food court, Express and apparel deals during the 17th annual You Made the Grade program! Students in first through 12th grades who maintain a B average or better can bring a valid military I.D. and proof of an overall B average to your local Exchange’s customer service area for a coupon book filled with free offers and discounts. The booklet also includes an entry form for the You Made the Grade semiannual sweepstakes. Students can enter to win Exchange gift cards worth $2,000, $1,500 or $500. Entries can be submitted twice per year, with drawings typically held in June and December.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is celebrating March Madness by giving its shoppers the chance to score $15,000 in gift cards.

Through April 6, authorized shoppers can enter the Unilever NCAA Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 30 $500 Exchange gift cards. Winners will be chosen by random drawing on or about April 13.

“The Exchange and Unilever are giving Soldiers, Airmen and their families the opportunity to really clean up this spring,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Go ahead, take the shot—it may be you who scores big and wins a $500 Exchange gift card.”

Authorized shoppers 18 and older may enter at www.shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

Facebook Friendly Version:

Clean up this spring with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s Unilever NCAA Sweepstakes! Through April 6, authorized shoppers can enter for a chance to win one of 30 $500 Exchange gift cards. Authorized shoppers 18 and older may enter at www.shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is giving shoppers a chance to witness all the falls, feuds and finishes of WrestleMania 33—for free.

Through March 30, Soldiers, Airmen and their families can enter the Mars WWE Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 WWE pay-per-view codes, each valued at approximately $60, to watch WrestleMania 33 on April 2. Ten other winners will receive a $50 merchandise certificate redeemable at shop.wwe.com.

“Imagine, all the action of the squared circle during the biggest WWE event of the year—right in your living room,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Enter today—this could be your chance to stage the WrestleMania party of a lifetime.”

Authorized shoppers 18 and older may enter the Mars WWE Sweepstakes at shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes. A drawing to select the winner will take place March 31. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

Facebook Friendly Version:

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is giving shoppers the chance to win one of 10 pay-per-view codes to watch WWE WrestleMania 33 for free. Authorized shoppers 18 and older may enter the Mars WWE Sweepstakes at shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes. Ten other winners will receive a $50 merchandise certificate redeemable at shop.wwe.com. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is giving shoppers the chance to get extreme this spring with a brand-new motocross machine.

From March 1 to 30, shoppers can enter the Rockstar Motorcycle Sweepstakes for an opportunity to win a Rockstar Husqvarna FC 350 motorcycle, valued at $9,299. One lucky winner will be drawn at random on or about April 7.

“The Exchange is all geared up to make one lucky motocross maniac’s dreams come true,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Enter today—who knows, it may be you who’s riding like a Rockstar this spring.”

Authorized shoppers 18 and older may enter the Rockstar Husqvarna Motorcycle Sweepstakes at www.shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

Facebook-Friendly Version

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is giving shoppers the chance to get extreme this spring with a Rockstar Husqvarna FC 350 motorcycle! Authorized shoppers 18 and older may enter the Rockstar Husqvarna Sweepstakes March 1 through 30 at www.shopmyexchange.com/sweepstakes. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].