SURPRISE CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR AN ILLINOIS SOLDIER'S WIFE Quinn surprises Shannon Nall of downstate Arcola, Illinois with the diamond ring won by her husband, Army Staff Sgt. Sam Nell who is currently

(CHICAGO) - On Saturday, December 23, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn surprised Shannon Nall of Arcola, Illinois as the winner of the 2^nd Annual "Ring in the Holidays" USO Diamond Ring Contest. Her husband, Army Staff Sgt. Sam Nall, is currently stationed in Iraq, and won the ring by writing an essay about her.

 

The contest, which ran from November 2 - December 11, was open to all active duty, National Guard, or Reserve military husbands from Illinois who are serving or have served in the Global War on Terrorism. Each contestant submitted an essay of 100 words or less on how his wife's love and support has changed his life or made a difference to him.

           

"Although Sgt. Nall was thousands of miles away in Iraq, he was able to submit the winning entry and give his wife a wonderful Christmas present," Quinn said.

 

The Nalls were married more than 10 years ago on August 5, 1995. Assigned to 634^th Alpha Company stationed in Mattoon, Illinois, Sgt. Nall is currently stationed in Iraq. After Sgt. Nall was deployed, Shannon became the Family Readiness Group Leader for her husband's unit. A Family Readiness Group is a command-sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, soldiers, and civilian employees belonging to a unit, that together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communications.

 

As their prize, the Nalls have won a custom designed14-karat yellow and white gold ladies' ring set with 23 round, brilliant diamonds. The 1.14 carat ring retails for $ 2,400.

 

The "Ring in the Holidays" USO Diamond Ring Contest was created in October 2005 after a USO Gala where a similar diamond ring was auctioned off. That night, a local jeweler overheard a sailor saying to his wife, "I wish I could afford to get you that ring." The jeweler contacted the USO and offered to custom-design and donate a ring, sparking the contest, which was held for the first time last year. The same jeweler designed and donated this year's ring.

 

Quinn was joined by Franklin Urbahns (Chairman) and Lisa Moeller (President) of the USO of Illinois.

 

For more information on how to lend a helping hand to the troops and their families this holiday season, visit www.OperationHomefront.org. With nearly 19 million hits, it's one of the country's most informative websites on supporting our troops.