Peterson Airman wins computer as part of Year of the Air Force Family Published Feb. 5, 2010 By Monica Mendoza 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Master Sgt. William Paul wanted to put into words the struggle he, and other Airmen, exert when attempting to balance work and home life. So, he wrote a short story and entered the Air Force wide short-story contest on MyAirForceLife.com as part of the Year of the Air Force Family campaign. "There is nothing more important than your family - except, maybe keeping this country free. However, what good is a free country if you neglect your family," Sergeant Paul wrote in his short story. He was an instant winner. "I was surprised," he said. "I never win anything like that. When I got the message that I had won I double checked with Ms. (Beverly) Price to make sure it was legit before I sent my information to them." Sergeant Paul, a former missile maintainer who now works at Air Force Space Command, Smart Operations, won a laptop computer. He should receive it within four weeks. "It's the Year of the Air Force Family," he said. "My family is very important to me and so is what I do and have done in the U.S. Air Force." In celebration of the Year of the Air Force Family, the Air Force is running a number of contests, including the short story contest, which continues through Feb. 14, a video contest Feb. 14 to April 4, and a song writing contest April 5 to May 23. There is a youth and an adult category in each contest and they all fall under the theme, "The Air Force is a Great Place to Live, Work and Play." Submissions are added to the Web site, www.myairforcelife.com and readers vote for the best. There also is an instant winner category, which is how Sergeant Paul won the laptop. Grand prize winners in each category could win up to $2,000 in video equipment and gift cards for electronic and music stores. "Youth and adults should enter the contests because they could be an instant winner like Sergeant Paul," said Beverly Price, Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. "These contests help build Air Force camaraderie and unity and promote the Year of the Air Force Family." To read Sergeant's Paul's story, enter a short story or vote, go to myairforcelife.com.