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Laughlin Air Force Club member wins truck

  • Published
  • By Joel Langton
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Laughlin's year-long pilot training program is the time when people have to make every second count.

Second Lt. Gary Rogers, a newly graduated pilot, made his time count by filling out registration forms to win a 2015 Chevy Silverado every day as he waited in line to order lunch at Laughlin's Silver Wings restaurant. According to Air Force Services, 18,000 people participated in the contest, which was open to club members Air Force wide.

"My friends always laughed at me and told me I was wasting my time, and I'd never win it," said Rogers. "I told them the truck was mine, I was just filling out the paperwork."

On Monday, Jan. 5, he found out what he had known all along when Col. Brian Hastings, 47th Flying Training wing commander, called his name out to come pick up the keys to his new $45,000 vehicle; during a commander's call where Hastings was promoting club membership to the 700 members of the 47th Student Squadron.

"When people join the club they enable our military community to do things like keep the pool open in the summers and bring Tops in Blue in for concerts, and a whole lot of other things that are critical to keeping the quality of life at our little base up," said Hastings.

The truck also provided a cure for Rogers. "I've had the Texas truck fever since I arrived here 18 months ago," he said. "I have orders for New Jersey and I thought I was going to drive my little car up. Now, I'm riding in style."

Lt. Col. Chris Lundy, 47th Mission Support Group deputy commander, explained that there are many benefits to club membership besides making your base better.

"With club membership you have a chance at NFL tickets,  trips, vehicles, trips to Disney World, all while you support your own local base and receive discounts at most facilities."