A Fort Drum soldier scheduled to be deployed soon to Afghanistan with the post’s 10th Combat Aviation Brigade won $20,000 Saturday at Davidson Chevrolet/GM.

More than 4,200 people entered the contest and 20 names were selected to take turns trying different keys to start a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Spc. Quentin Patton, San Antonio, Texas, was the 18th person to try to start the car, and the engine promptly turned over.

Spc. Patton had his choice of the car or $20,000. He was leaning toward the car but his girlfriend, Spc. Connie McKenney, a Texas native also heading to Afghanistan soon, talked him into taking the cash. He also could have chosen a 2013 Ford Fusion or a 2013 Nissan Altima.

Spc. Patton arrived at Fort Drum last year from an assignment in South Korea. His upcoming deployment will be his second to Afghanistan.

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