Joint Base Lewis-McChord Shopper Wins $5,000 in Exchange Sweepstakes
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD – A military spouse was awarded a $5,000 prize by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service on July 6 at the McChord Exchange.
Michael Einer, Exchange general manager, presented a $5,000 check to Suhrhim Lee, of Spanaway, Wash., in the main store.
Lee was selected at random from more than 12,000 Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers worldwide who entered to win the Ford Gum Sweepstakes, which offered shoppers a chance to win a $5,000 trip to Chicago.
“When they first left me a voicemail to tell me I’d won, I thought it was a scam because I didn’t remember that I entered into a sweepstakes,” Lee said. “I didn’t call back, and when he called the next day I finally remembered I’d entered. I was in disbelief.”
Since Lee’s husband, Army Special Forces member Sgt. 1st Class Seungshik Lee, will be in Fort Benning, Ga. for training until at least November, Lee opted to take the prize’s cash value instead, though it will be earmarked in the family budget for a future vacation.
“Being in the Special Forces, my husband is deployed or off for training quite a bit during the year,” she said. “It’s always one thing after another. So any time we get to spend together is good.”
Einer said the Exchange is proud to give the prize to a military spouse who sacrifices so much in the name of protecting American freedoms.
“Enduring long periods of time away from her spouse, Ms. Lee is living proof that the military spouse is the backbone of the American military family,” Einer said. “This prize serves as a small token of our appreciation for Ms. Lee’s dedication to not only her family, but her country.”
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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 Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].