{"id":1914,"date":"2015-03-18T10:08:19","date_gmt":"2015-03-18T15:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1914"},"modified":"2015-03-18T10:08:19","modified_gmt":"2015-03-18T15:08:19","slug":"soldier-airmen-win-17000-in-prizes-with-exchange-proud-to-serve-essay-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1914","title":{"rendered":"Soldier, Airmen Win $17,000 in Prizes with Exchange \u2018Proud to Serve\u2019 Essay Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2013<\/b> Maj. Chris Hormel, Tech Sgt. Nicholas Lakey and Airman Nicholas Wedlow all have a way with words. Their passion for writing helped them win the top prizes in the Army & Air Force Exchange Service\u2019s \u201cProud to Serve\u201d essay contest.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hormel<\/span><\/a>, who serves with the 18th<\/sup> Military Police Brigade at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, took home the grand prize\u2014a $10,000 Exchange gift card. He received his prize during a presentation March 11 at <\/span>the Grafenwoehr Exchange.\u00a0\"BoY<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In his essay, Hormel talks about his grandfather\u2019s service during World War II.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn his headstone it reads simply: Husband, father, PV2 World War II,\u201d Hormel wrote. \u201cOf all the contributions of his life, he chose to be remembered for the short time he spent fighting for our nation in the Pacific.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hormel, who has served nearly 16 years in the Army, says he\u2019s always humbled to visit cemeteries and see veterans\u2019 ranks listed on the gravestones.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey want to be remembered for their service\u2014and that\u2019s the story I was trying to tell with my essay,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lakey<\/span><\/a>, who serves at Aviano Air Base, Italy, took second place and a $5,000 Exchange gift card.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In his essay, Lakey recalled seeing yellow ribbons tied around trees in his neighborhood in 1991 during the Gulf War. He was only 6 years old. His father explained that the ribbons were to honor the troops serving in the war.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI asked if everyone got to come home and my heart sank when I found out that many people gave their lives to achieve victory,\u201d Lackey wrote.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That moment from Lakey\u2019s childhood came full circle, when, as an Airman at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, he volunteered with Iraqi children, playing games and giving them gifts.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe sight of their smiles and joy reminded us all of why we there,\u201d he wrote. \u201cSomewhere back <\/span><\/span><\/span>home there was a yellow ribbon waiting for me, but on that day I was exactly where I needed to be.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The third prize\u2014a $2,000 Exchange gift card\u2014was presented to Creech Air Force Base Airman <\/span>Nicholas Wedlow<\/span><\/a> during a ceremony at the Nellis Air Force Base Exchange.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Wedlow entered the contest after encouragement from his wife. He said he\u2019s always enjoyed writing, and English was his best class in school.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI serve because of the great men and women before me who have set such a great example by giving their lives for this country and what they believe in,\u201d Wedlow wrote. \u201cI would be doing myself an injustice if I didn\u2019t follow my intuition and pick up where our late veterans left off.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, Exchange Senior Enlisted Advisor, praised all three winners.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Exchange is honored to recognize these three service members for their dedication and sacrifice,\u201d Applegate said. \u201cThey poured their hearts into these essays, and their pride for America and their service.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cProud to Serve\u201d essay contest was part of the Exchange\u2019s Because of You campaign, a yearlong effort to recognize and reward service members\u2019 sacrifice and dedication our country.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The three winning essays can be found at <\/span>shopmyexchange.com\/BecauseOfYou<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/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

\u00a0<\/span>###<\/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

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