Courtesy Photo | J.D. Beltz, a medically retired Army sergeant and Desert Storm combat veteran, was...... read more read more
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When 10-year Army veteran J.D. Beltz entered for the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, he never thought in a million years he’d be the one to win.
“When they first called me to tell me I won, I didn’t believe it,” Beltz said. “I thought it was a prank call or it wasn’t true, because I never win anything. Once they sent me the email, that kind of validated it. My wife and I couldn’t believe it.”
Beltz, a medically retired Army sergeant and Desert Storm combat veteran living in Leesville, La., was selected from more than 16,000 Exchange shoppers who entered the Darrell Lea/Lucky Country sweepstakes. He was formally presented with his prize during a ceremony on July 29 at the Fort Polk Exchange.
“My wife and I are ready to go,” Beltz said, adding that they’re hoping to take the trip sometime in September. “We’ve already bought our Hawaiian shirts and shorts.”
Fort Polk Exchange General Manager Beth Pritchard said the Exchange couldn’t be happier to present the prize to someone who has sacrificed so much in the name of protecting American freedoms.
“The Exchange is deeply grateful for the bravery and patriotism exhibited by veterans like Mr. Beltz, who put themselves in harm’s way to make sure the future is safer for all Americans,” Pritchard said. “We hope this prize serves as a humble ‘thank you’ to Mr. and Mrs. Beltz for their sacrifice and the selfless love of country they embody.”
Beltz said he wants to send a message to the 22 service members who every day take their own lives – it gets better.
“It can be overcome,” he said. “Good things can happen, and there are better days ahead.”
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2016 08:09 |
| Story ID: | 206652 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Army Veteran Wins $5,000 Trip to Hawaii at Fort Polk Exchange, by Conner Hammett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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