NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

AAFES Offers Aspiring Young Writers Opportunity for Great Prizes

School may be out for the summer, but the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) has one more assignment for military dependents. The "Back-To-School Essay Contest" will give students in grades first through twelfth the opportunity to submit an essay of 200 words or less on "What AAFES means to me and my family."

"Most military dependents have been shopping at AAFES for their entire lives," said Chief Marketing Officer Richard Sheff. "As a result, we are anticipating some very good essays from these young students on what the benefit means both to them as well as to their families."

The essay contest, which runs from June 27-August 31, will consist of four categories (1st-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th and 10th-12th grades) with three winners from each category. First place winners in each category will receive a computer, second place winners will be awarded $500 savings bonds and $200 savings bonds will be issued to third place winners.

Complete rules, including release forms and specific instructions on submitting essays, are available at www.aafes.com under the Patriot Family Connection link.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs.

To find out more about AAFES' history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp