{"id":1667,"date":"2014-06-24T14:27:56","date_gmt":"2014-06-24T19:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1667"},"modified":"2014-06-24T14:27:56","modified_gmt":"2014-06-24T19:27:56","slug":"exchange-dickies-to-award-25000-to-american-hero-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1667","title":{"rendered":"Exchange, Dickies to award $25,000 to American Hero of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2013 <\/b>America\u2019s heroes come in all forms, from the troops fighting on the frontlines to families holding down the home front. To honor these men and women, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is teaming up with Dickies to salute the American Hero of the Year<\/a> with $25,000.<\/p>\n

All active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel and their family members are eligible to win a grand prize of $25,000 or one of four runner-up prizes of $1,000. \"Dickies\"<\/a>Nominations can consist of a video less than 5 minutes, a photo and essay of up to 500 words or a standalone essay. Nominations should tell what being an American hero means to the nominee and why they are a true American hero.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cAmerican heroes walk among us every day, and I\u2019m sure this contest will yield heartwarming stories of this sacrifice and service,\u201d said Exchange Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels. \u201cThe $25,000 grand prize is a tribute to all service members and their families and the qualities they embody.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Entries will be accepted through July 17. Entrants can visit www.shopmyexchange.com\/homewardbound<\/a> and click on the Dickies American Hero of the Year logo to access an application.<\/p>\n

\u00a0A panel of judges will determine the finalists, who will be named Aug. 4. Public voting at www.militaryhero.com<\/a> from Aug. 4 through Sept. 6 will determine the winner.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. \u00a0The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. 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<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Media Notes:<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or mitchelljul@aafes.com.<\/p>\n\t

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