LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
When Lt. Col. Brij Sandill returned from deployment, the last thing he expected was to win a cruise.
"I received an e-mail saying all people need to complete the attached form to enter this drawing," said Colonel Sandill, the 37th Medical Group's chief health care integrator.
"I filled out the form that came with the e-mail. I came back from deployment, and my wife and I hadn't been out since before the deployment. I thought it would be a good opportunity for us if I could win it."
The cruise winning was part of the Welcome Home program, run through Air Education and Training Command Services.
"It started with the desire by services to address the issue of combat stress in our returning personnel," said AETC Marketing and Corporate Partnership Program Manager John Franklin. "We have a lot of recreational programs that are available, and we wanted people to know about them."
Mr. Franklin said AETC services was not only trying to show appreciation to members who have been deployed for 120 days but also to call attention to other services programs that can help families with bonding after Airmen return from deployment.
"The core of what we were trying to do is help those people who have returned and need rest and relaxation and family time to realize we've got some stuff available," he said. "We decided what we wanted to do was put some incentive into people getting our message about our recreational availabilities."
Director of Manpower, Personnel and Service Col. Bruce Wayne Lovely said AETC chipped in about $10,000 for the cruise vouchers, and USAA matched it with their own donation.
"Anheuser Busch also pitched in about $5,000," he said. "With all of these corporate donations, we were able to put it together and make it into a viable program. It's all about giving back to the troops."
Mr. Franklin said there will be a total of three drawings and 11 prizes.
"We drew five names for the first drawing. They represented people who had deployed throughout 2007 and the first cycle of 2008," he said. "We wanted to reach as many people as possible. The next two drawings will be for three vacations each. The pool will be smaller, drawing from people who deployed in 2008 only."
The cruises will be presented in the form of a $2,500 voucher, presented to the winner to reimburse at USAA's travel service for airfare if they need it to get to the cruise and the cruise itself.
Colonel Sandill said he is very proud of his deployment and feels appreciated to be given the opportunity to register for this drawing.
"I think most Airmen need time with their families after returning from deployment and separation from their loved ones," he said. "Opportunities like this one make homecoming enjoyable and let members spend quality time with their families in a leisurely environment to make up for lost time. It also helps to deal with the stress from deployment. I wish every returning Airman would win a similar prize."