{"id":2793,"date":"2017-01-18T12:34:59","date_gmt":"2017-01-18T18:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2793"},"modified":"2017-01-18T12:34:59","modified_gmt":"2017-01-18T18:34:59","slug":"mcconnell-exchange-presents-smart-car-to-vietnam-veteran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2793","title":{"rendered":"McConnell Exchange Presents Smart Car to Vietnam Veteran"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"135\"<\/strong>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE \u2013 <\/strong>With two deployments to Vietnam and a 21-year Air Force career under his belt, Udall, Kansas resident Lawrence Lazar has seen it all.<\/p>\n

So when the McConnell Air Force Base Exchange called Lazar to tell him he won a brand-new Smart Car in the Exchange\u2019s Promotion in Motion sweepstakes<\/a>, keeping his cool was no problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been shopping at the Exchange since 1964, and I usually put in an entry for every sweepstakes that I might be interested in,\u201d Lazar said. \u201cI was in a little bit of disbelief when they first called to tell me I\u2019d won; then I went right on in and filled out the paperwork.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lazar was awarded the Smart Car, decorated with Welch\u2019s fruit snack graphics, during a ceremony held at the McConnell Exchange Main Store on Jan. 18. Lazar was one of more than 8,400 shoppers to enter the sweepstakes.<\/p>\n

Lazar enlisted in the Air Force in 1964. He spent most of his career working in bomb maintenance, munitions, instrumentation and telemetry systems. From 1969 to 1970, he worked at Kirtland Air Force Base on some of the earliest precursors to the airborne laser.<\/p>\n

In 1970, Lazar deployed to Vietnam, working on the assembly and transportation of bombs and munitions. He retired out of Barksdale Air Force Base, where he worked on telemetry systems for air-launched cruise missiles and short-range attack missiles, in July 1985 at the rank of master sergeant.<\/p>\n

After his retirement from the Air Force, Lazar got a job with Boeing, where he wrote weapons maintenance manuals for B-52 bombers for 25 years. He finally settled in Udall, where he continues to work on welding and vehicle rebuilding projects in his 2,400-square-foot workshop.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe McConnell Exchange couldn\u2019t be more proud to celebrate Mr. Lazar\u2019s service by presenting him with this unique prize,\u201d said Robin Ayling, general manager of the McConnell Exchange. \u201cThis is why the Army & Air Force Exchange Service does what it does\u2014to thank those who give and sacrifice so much to make sure our freedoms are protected every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

For information on more Exchange sweepstakes, visit shopmyexchange.com\/sweepstakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/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 http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/a> or follow us on Twitter at https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Follow the Exchange:
\nFacebook:\u00a0 www.facebook.com\/shopmyexchange
\n<\/a>Twitter:\u00a0 https:\/\/twitter.com\/shopmyexchange
\n<\/a>Instagram: @shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n\t

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