Commissary honors military service, Memorial Day by serving those who serve

NOTE: To see a DeCA video related to this release, click here.

FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. – The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) joins the nation in honoring the brave men and women of our armed forces during May for Military Appreciation Month and on Memorial Day.

Throughout the month, DeCA continues to give a special “thank you” through events and sales that reflect how much the commissary agency  appreciates the service and patronage of the military community.

“We take great pride in serving those who serve,” said Navy Command Master Chief Mario Rivers, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. “Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for our patrons every day by providing a premier customer service experience. Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day provide an added opportunity to recognize their strength, courage and sacrifice.”

The upcoming Memorial Day observance is traditionally a time to remember with gratitude those service members who “gave the last full measure of devotion.” For DeCA, it is also a reminder of why its work is so important.

“The commissary is more than a grocery store,” Rivers said. “We go where the military and their families go. We are a ‘taste of home,’ and we help create what ‘community’ feels like within the military as we deliver their benefit around the world.”

The modern-day commissary benefit has been serving the military community for more than 200 years. Today that benefit saves eligible patrons at least 25 cents on the dollar when they shop regularly at their store.

As the nation pauses on Memorial Day to honor the fallen, many will commemorate the observance by visiting cemeteries or memorials, participating in parades and gathering with family and friends. Unofficially, the day marks the beginning of the summer season.

Commissary patrons with plans for Memorial Day weekend get-togethers can shop for all of the essentials and access sales and digital coupons at https://shop.commissaries.com/. Current sales promotions for May, Memorial Day and beyond include the following:

• Thrill of the Grill. Commissaries are once again offering significant summer savings on select fresh meat, produce and grilling essentials as part of “The Thrill of The Grill” campaign through Sept. 8. DeCA is inviting all to take part in a friendly competition between service branches to see who grills it best. Go to the Thrill of the Grill webpage for grilling recipes, tips and more.

• Soda Sale. Refresh your summer thirst with soda savings from May 23-27. Coke 12-packs will be 2 for $10, Pepsi 12-packs will be 3 for $9, and Canada Dry 12-packs will be 2 for $8 while supplies last. This sale is valid in the continental United States only (which excludes Alaska and Hawaii). Selection and pricing may vary by store.

• Sidewalk Sales. Commissary customers nationwide can stock up on their favorite items while enjoying deeper savings during the sidewalk sales event running through May.  All stateside commissary locations will participate, weather permitting. To see scheduled sale dates for each store, visit the sidewalk sales webpage.  Overseas customers should contact their local stores to see what specific promotions are occurring in their community. 

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About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.