Sweet new ride

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  When retired Air Force Lt. Col. Larry Converse put his name in a contest box at the base exchange last July, he had no idea he would be driving away in a new, customized Ford Mustang, Jan. 20.

Colonel Converse won the car as part of a worldwide contest sponsored by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Monster Beverage Company.

The contest itself is held yearly for both active-duty and retired servicemembers.

"I'm a man of faith," he said. "But, I don't think there was any divine intervention at work here."

After pondering his good fortune, Colonel Converse said he came to two conclusions that explained why he won. First, when he comes to the Ellsworth BX, he frequently puts his name into the various contest boxes throughout the year.

"The second reason is pure dumb luck," he said, with a smile.

Colonel Converse was very thankful and appreciative toward the BX employees who, "always provide wonderful service."

Sue Vaughn, Ellsworth BX manager, said informing Colonel Converse he had won was quite an experience.

"We called and told him he had won a contest, and should come in to see us," she said. "When Larry got here, he thought he'd won a gun from our new gun store. He was shocked when we told him it was a new car."

After the initial shock wore off, Colonel Converse and his wife Linda, learned more about the wide-body, black Mustang, with custom wheels, he had won. Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th Bomb Wing commander, presented Colonel Converse with the key during an event at the BX.

"It's great to see opportunities like this come to Ellsworth," he said. "I wish Larry and Linda all the best as they cruise around in their boss ride."