Major Philip Thomas Piaget, of Crestview, Fla., won the first Maid Brigade Veterans Franchise Giveaway in time for Veterans Day 2009. Piaget convinced a discerning panel of four judges that he deserved the Gold Award, valued at more than $45,000, including working capital, equipment, waived franchise fees, training and support -- everything he needs to establish a franchise operation in his hometown near Pensacola, Fla., by early first quarter.

The father of four retired from the Army in September after serving 20 years as an Airborne Ranger and entered the franchiser's national contest the same month, noting that his life as a leader of infantrymen and that of a quality Maid Brigade franchisee have much in common.

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