Desert Storm veteran from Hephzibah wins credit card sweepstakes at Fort Eisenhower

A Hephzibah resident and retired staff sergeant recently won a credit card sweepstakes, amounting to more than $8,000, while shopping at the Fort Eisenhower Exchange.

James Mabry swiped his card at the post late last year and was randomly selected as one of five grand-prize winners in the annual MILITARY STAR Your Holiday Bill Is on Us sweepstakes, according to a news release from the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

Mabry was presented with a mock check representing his $8,122.50 balance, now paid in full, during a celebration held this week at the Fort Eisenhower PX.

Garrison Commander Col. Reginald Evans and Exchange General Manager LaToya Harris presented Mabry with his prize.

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"This means a lot to me," said Mabry, a Desert Storm veteran who served 20 years in the U.S. Army. "It came at the right time. With this paid off, I can catch up on some other bills."

"It’s a privilege to celebrate a hero like Sgt. Mabry," Harris said. "With this prize, the Exchange and MILITARY STAR honor his 20 years of selfless service to our country."

During November and December, shoppers worldwide automatically earned an entry in the Your Holiday Bill Is on Us Sweepstakes every time they used their MILITARY STAR card, according to the release. Five grand prize winners had their card balances paid off, or received a statement credit if their balance was below $2,500, in the sweepstakes. Ten second place winners received $1,000 statement credits and 25 third place winners received $500 statement credits.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Desert Storm veteran wins sweepstakes at Fort Eisenhower