{"id":2217,"date":"2015-11-23T10:21:12","date_gmt":"2015-11-23T16:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2217"},"modified":"2015-11-23T10:21:12","modified_gmt":"2015-11-23T16:21:12","slug":"army-and-air-force-exchange-service-gives-two-veterans-smart-cars-in-giveaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2217","title":{"rendered":"Army and Air Force Exchange Service Gives Two Veterans Smart Cars in Giveaway"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2013<\/b> The Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Welch\u2019s and Sour Jacks recently handed two brand-new Smart Cars over to the winners of this summer\u2019s Promotion in Motion Smart Car Giveaway.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Michelle Steiner<\/span><\/a>, a Vietnam veteran and Army retiree, received the keys to her prize at a ceremony held at the Luke Air Force Base Main Exchange on Nov. 10.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the only major thing I\u2019ve ever won in my life,\u201d Steiner said. \u201cI\u2019ve won $25 gift cards before, but nothing of this magnitude.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Steiner enlisted in 1961. She served in combat duty in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive in 1968. She retired in 1983 as a Chief Warrant Officer and has lived in Chandler, Arizona since July 2001.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Andrew Von Werder<\/span><\/a>, also a Vietnam veteran and Navy retiree, received his keys on Nov. 12 at Tinker Air Force Base, an event that was covered by two Oklahoma City, Oklahoma TV stations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEvery contest the Exchange has, we enter,\u201d Von Werder said. \u201cThis is the first time we\u2019ve won something so nice. It\u2019s a great deal for us, and so is the commissary.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Von Werder enlisted in 1958, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam and visiting every continent except Antarctica during his 21-year career. He now lives in his hometown of El Reno, Oklahoma with his wife, Redina.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Steiner and Von Werder won the giveaway by random drawing in August. Each vehicle is valued at $15,000.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to be giving these Smart Cars away to two veterans who risked life and limb to protect their country,\u201d said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. \u201cWith these prizes, the Exchange extends a heartfelt \u2018thank you\u2019 to these two patriots for their years of dedicated service to the United States.\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.\u00a0 To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at <\/span>http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/span><\/a> or follow us on Twitter at <\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or <\/span>hammettc@aafes.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t

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