Barksdale Exchange Shopper Wins Vacation Prize Package

Courtesy Photo | Jimmie Williams, of Shreveport, La., is presented with a vacation prize package worth more than $5,000 at the Barksdale AFB, La., Exchange, July 30, 2016. Williams, a 30-year Army veteran, was selected at random from more than 12,800 Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers worldwide to win a stay at one of more than 2,000 resort locations worldwide plus a Samsonite Silhouette Sphere 2 two-piece luggage set, Sony a6000 mirrorless camera and $2,500 Exchange gift card. Pictured from left are: Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Lemond, 2nd Mission Support Group superintendent; Ellen Henderson, general manager of the Barksdale Exchange; Williams; and Air Force Col. DeDe Halfhill, 2nd Mission Support Group commander. (AAFES photo by Ken Cumings)  

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA, UNITED STATES

08.11.2016

Story by Conner Hammett 

Army & Air Force Exchange Service HQ

A 30-year Army veteran was presented with a vacation prize package worth more than $5,000 on July 30 at the Barksdale Exchange.

Jimmie Williams, of Shreveport, La., was selected at random from more than 12,800 Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers worldwide who entered to win a stay at one of more than 2,000 resort locations worldwide plus a Samsonite Silhouette Sphere 2 two-piece luggage set, Sony a6000 mirrorless camera and $2,500 Exchange gift card.

“When they first told me I won, I thought, ‘This must be a hoax to get my personal information,’ so I just deleted the email,” Williams said. “Eventually I called the manager to verify if it was real, and she said ‘yes.’ I still can’t believe I won. It’s just now setting in, to be honest.”

Williams, who served one tour of duty in Iraq from 2003 to 2004, retired in 2012 at the rank of Sergeant Major. Today, he works for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs in Bossier City, Louisiana.

“When I got out of the Army, I wanted to do something that’s important, worthwhile and has meaning to it, and assisting veterans definitely fits that requirement,” he said.

Ellen Henderson, Exchange manager, said Williams is more than deserving of an all-expenses paid getaway courtesy of the Exchange.

“Mr. Williams has answered the call of duty not only as a Soldier but as a public servant dedicated to those who have, like him, fought to protect American freedoms,” Henderson said. “The Exchange hopes this prize serves as a small token of our appreciation for Mr. Williams’ decades of patriotic service.”

• Date Taken: 08.11.2016
• Date Posted: 08.15.2016 10:24
• Story ID: 207108
• Location: BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA, US