Super Bowl Extravaganza

  • Published
  • By 1Lt Randi Norton
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AFB, ND --  Stanley Cup, World Series, NBA Championships, World Cup and Daytona, but the king of all sporting events is the Super Bowl.

The 319th Services Squadron planned an event to give base members and their families a chance to have some fun and win prizes, and send a lucky Warrior of the North to Super Bowl XLI.

"Our contracting officer worked with a military-friendly company that gave us a great deal on NFL memorabilia," said Maj. Paul Swenson, 319 SVS commander. "Our club folks teamed up with our marketing office to develop a campaign to promote this event, including the all-expense-paid trip to Miami."

Along with the almost $30,000 in prizes, football fans had the chance to get autographs and photos taken with Minnesota Viking quarterback, Mr. Brooks Bollinger. Bollinger is a native of Grand Forks, N.D., who began his NFL career with the New York Jets.

"I just feel that coming to this event is a way to give back," said Mr. Bollinger. "It's my way to show appreciation for what the military does everyday."

Mr. Bollinger stayed at the Super Bowl Extravaganza until the very end to help give away prizes, including the grand prize, Super Bowl tickets.

Of the more than 350 people in attendance, only one could win the grand prize. And the winner was...Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Messer, 319th Maintenance Operations Squadron.

"I felt so many emotions at the same time. The best way to describe it was euphoric," said Sergeant Messer. "It was like winning the lottery!"

Sergeant Messer now has the difficult task of deciding who will accompany her to Miami for Super Bowl XLI.

"I called my dad, but he's feeling too ill to attend," she said. "So, I may have to take my husband."

The services squadron works as a cohesive team to put events like this together, said Major Swenson. "The feedback has been so positive and we look forward to planning one next year for Super Bowl XLII."