{"id":1891,"date":"2015-02-26T09:09:59","date_gmt":"2015-02-26T15:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1891"},"modified":"2015-02-26T09:09:59","modified_gmt":"2015-02-26T15:09:59","slug":"soldier-retirees-win-big-with-exchanges-your-holiday-bill-is-on-us-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1891","title":{"rendered":"Soldier, Retirees Win Big With Exchange\u2019s \u2018Your Holiday Bill Is On Us\u2019 Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2013 <\/b>The Army & Air Force Exchange Service made dreams come true for three grand-prize winners of the M<\/span>ILITARY S<\/span>TAR\u00ae <\/sup>\u201cYour Holiday Bill Is On Us\u201d sweepstakes\u2014and for one young Soldier from Fort Bliss, winning has changed her life.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a grand-prize winner, <\/span>Sgt. Kakala Loketi<\/span><\/a> had her <\/span>M<\/span>ILITARY S<\/span>TAR\u00ae <\/sup>account paid in full. During a presentation at Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss, Loketi took scissors to an oversize M<\/span>ILITARY S<\/span>TAR\u00ae<\/sup> statement, symbolizing her $8,200 bill being wiped clean.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"20150205_080223\"<\/a>\u201cThis is a huge relief for me and my family,\u201d said <\/span>Loketi<\/span><\/a>, who is married and has a 4-year-old son. \u201cA weight has been lifted off me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Loketi, who will soon head to Korea for a yearlong deployment, said she primarily used her card for family emergencies. She also would help young Soldiers in her unit who were low on money by buying them basic necessities, including gas.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe M<\/span>ILITARY S<\/span>TAR\u00ae<\/sup> Card allowed me to take care of my Soldiers,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Two Army retirees also received grand prizes in the worldwide contest. <\/span>Retired Col. Steve Schwaiger<\/span><\/a>, who was stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis and now works on base as a civilian contractor, received a $2,500 credit. <\/span>Retired Army Lt. Col. Jon Riches<\/span><\/a>, who lives in Abilene, Texas, also received a $2,500 account credit during a presentation at Dyess Air Force Base.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For Schwaiger, his prize came at the perfect time. He and his wife just bought their first home. His wife and teenage daughters are weighing in on how to spend his winnings.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m taking everyone\u2019s orders\u2014it\u2019s kind of like a Christmas dream list,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riches, an 80-year-old Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm veteran, hasn\u2019t decided how he will spend his prize. He says visiting Dyess and shopping at the Exchange strengthen his military connection.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always felt at home in the military,\u201d Riches said. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to go back and feel spirit of the military community at Dyess and with the Exchange.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The MILITARY STAR\u00ae<\/sup> card is a line of credit for use at the Exchange\u2014no matter where military members serve. During November and December, shoppers were automatically entered in the sweepstakes each time they used their MILITARY STAR\u00ae<\/sup> card to pay for purchases at any Army or Air Force Exchange location or on shopmyexchange.com. The Exchange received nearly 4 million entries in the worldwide contest.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Besides the grand prizes, 10 second-place winners received $1,000 statement credits, and 25 third-prize winners earned $500 credits. A complete list of winners can be found at <\/span>www.myecp.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThe Exchange is honored to \u2018pay it forward\u2019 to Sgt. Loketi, Col. Schwaiger and Lt. Col. Riches, who have devoted their lives to service and sacrifice,\u201d said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. \u201cThis contest allowed us to make dreams come true and change lives.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/span> or follow us on Twitter at https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

###<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Media Notes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

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

\r\n\t