The Signature | September 30, 2021

September 30, 2021

Vol. 38 No. 17

COMMEMORATING 9/11 PAGES 6 & 7

HSC-28 MOVES TO SIGONELLA MODICA CHOCOLATE

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Direct Line Capt. Kevin Pickard, NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer eam Sigonella, T We do a lot of things exceptionally well here at Sigonella. The recent whole-of-base effort

to support Operation Allies Welcome was a prime example of what we can do when we pull together as an installation. I could not be more proud of all of you for the exceptional level of effort and professionalism displayed.

But now I need your help on something else.

As most of you know, we recently lost two Sailors in a single-vehicle accident. We have felt the loss of our two shipmates extremely deeply within our command at NAS Sigonella. Across the installation, we have now lost four service members to trafficrelated accidents in the past 14 months and one service member in a liberty-related death in that same time span. That is five deaths too many.

We have also had several significant vehicle accidents requiring hospitalization of service members or dependents. While there is no specific causal factor that directly links all of these mishaps, it is clear to me that we are operating far too close to the edge with respect to driving safety here at Sigonella. I now ask all of you to keep traffic safety at the forefront of your mind as you drive to and from base, around the island, and wherever else you may travel.

Our base safety team, in conjunction with the Motor Vehicle Registration Office (MVRO) and the security department is conducting a comprehensive review of our driving program from initial arrival through check-out. We have already discovered some disturbing trends with regards to vehicle documentation and licensing requirements.

With that thought in mind, I want to let you know where we are going with respect to traffic safety, education, registration, licensing requirements, and enforcement.

In the coming days and weeks, you will see significantly increased security enforcement of driving regulations, both on base and in the triangle, including joint patrols with host nation law enforcement. We have already stood up our traffic court, and violators will risk losing their driving privileges for serious enough or repeat offenses. Additionally, we will increase scrutiny on driving registration, insurance, and licensing.

Unfortunately, we have too many people who

have not updated their paperwork with MVRO or are operating uninsured vehicles. Any car owner found either loaning their vehicle or operating that vehicle without valid insurance risks losing their driving privileges.

Additionally, we will strengthen initial licensing testing requirements to ensure that prospective drivers have the minimum required knowledge to navigate the unique driving situations here in Sicily. Once that program is initiated, drivers will only be issued with a driving license after testing and a class. This is policy is aligned with other overseas bases.

There is much more here to discuss and many things to finalize, but I wanted to provide you with a heads up. The installation is here to support your mission and enable your success. That being said, our collective missions require that we take action to protect our community. I ask each and every one of your for your help, engagement, and cooperation as we work towards making our roads as safe as we can. Thank you for your continued service to our nation and your leadership. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

September 30, 2021

Celebrating 30 Years

By Tamara Eastman, DeCA Historian

n Oct. 1, 1991, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) officially took O over the responsibility of providing the commissary benefit to U.S. military members and their families.

As the agency enters its 30th year, DeCA Director and CEO Bill Moore applauded the agency’s legacy of service.

“When you think about the enormity of forming this agency you cannot escape the tremendous investment Congress made in DeCA to serve the greatest customers in the world,” Moore said. “Today, that legacy of service drives us to be the military’s grocery provider of choice, reaffirming our commitment to deliver the commissary benefit to as many eligible patrons as possible at the best possible savings directed by Congress.”

The commissary benefit began in earnest in 1775 when the Continental Congress established the Office of the Commissary General of Stores and Purchases in order to provide the Continental Army with their daily rations.

Officers who were put in charge of subsistence operations were called chief commissaries and their staff members consisted of assistant commissaries and commissary sergeants.

In 1825, Army officers at specific posts were allowed to make purchases for their personal use, paying at-cost prices. By 1841, they were also allowed to purchase goods for their immediate families.

It wasn’t until 1867, when Army enlisted men were afforded the same atcost purchasing privileges that had already been enjoyed by officers for over 40 years. At the time, any commissary warehouse on any Army post could become a sales location, regardless of whether they were located in a large city or on the frontier.

Initially, commissaries were very small and customers handed a list to a clerk behind the counter who filled the list for them. By the 1930s many commissaries were being run in the same fashion as civilian grocery stores. During those days some commissaries were even offering home delivery service for families residing on post. There was a 12-item limit for home deliveries.

During World War II, the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps helped to supply each of the armed services’ commissaries, and by 1948 each individual service ran its own commissaries with differing procedures and systems. The Army ran the Army Troop Support Agency (TSA), the Navy ran the Navy Resale System Support Officer (NAVRESSO), and the Air Force operated the Air Force "DeCA" cont’d on Page 11

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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA

Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Pickard Executive Officer Cmdr. Ronald Cappellini Command Master Chief CMDCM Anna Wood EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Drake Greer drake.greer@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Megan Mills megan.mills@eu.navy.mil Public Affairs Leading Petty Officer MC1 Kegan Kay kegan.kay@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writers \ Photographers MC2 Joshua Coté joshua.m.cote@eu.navy.mil MCSN Triniti Lersch triniti.lersch@eu.navy.mil CONTACT US

Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001

This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy.

Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy.mil. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.

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Name: Jonathan Zelaya Command: NAS Sigonella Department: Security

By Megan Mills, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

s Chief of the Guard for a compound housing evacuees A during Operation Allies Welcome, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jonathan Zelaya’s main job was to maintain safety and

security. For one small child, though, Zelaya also served briefly as translator and candy-procurer.

While this gesture may seem unrelated to his job, for Zelaya, a native of Queens, New York, it intrinsically related to why he joined the Navy in the first place—to help people.

“The best gesture we can do as individuals is to help our fellow human beings,” he said. “The simplest gesture to you might be the biggest gesture to another.”

Zelaya’s desire to join the military sprung from a desire to both serve his community and follow the example of his family.

“Ever since I was a young boy, I always had an ambition to be a part of something greater than myself, and I felt the most honorable avenue of approach was by serving in the U.S. military,” said Zelaya. “I have family that have served in both the military and as public servants within their community.

Seeing their love, compassion, and enthusiasm for their service ultimately led to my decision.”

When it came time to choose a rate, there was only one option for him.

“I come from a lineage of law enforcement officers both

serving as police officers in the city of New York and within federal government agencies. After doing my research, I went down to the recruiting station and I informed them that I wanted to serve, but only if they could assist with obtaining the rating of MA.” One thing Zelaya loves about being an MA is the range of responsibilities and opportunities.

“My favorite part of my job is the versatility of the MA rating,” said Zelaya. “It’s knowing that you could expand your horizons if you choose to. You can do law enforcement, investigation, expeditionary warfare, harbor patrol, K9 handling etc. Knowing a bit of each aspect of what we do is the most fulfilling part of my job.”

In his time onboard NAS Sigonella, and especially during Operation Allies Welcome, Zelaya’s dedication and skill have caught the attention of his supervisors.

“MA1 Zelaya provided superb leadership in the village during the time when our fence line was at maximum capacity to support travelers there, ensuring the safety and security of all persons in the community,” said Lt. Nathan Ouellette, NAS Sigonella security officer. “Additionally, he was a critical element that facilitated mayor and interagency support cells in accomplishing their daily tasks, ensuring the best quality care was provided to our visitors while they were here.”

Zelaya intends to stay in the Navy as long as possible and hopes to become a security officer one day.

“With the MA rate, you are to have a professional presence at all times,” said Zelaya, a native of Queens, New York. “More often than not, this is seen as being void of emotions when, in fact, it is mental toughness and a deep emotional awareness.

That same emotional awareness gives me a softhearted side to help those in my community and those around me be it a giving ear, a helping hand, or talking heart.”

In his spare time, Zelaya enjoys spending time with his dog Sunny, talking to loved ones, boxing, traveling, and exploring new foods.

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HSC-28 DET 1 Moves to Sigonella

By By U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs

H

elicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 1 completed its homeport shift from Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 17, 2021.

HSC-28 departed their detachment headquarters in Naples for the last time on July 26 and flew aboard the U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in Gaeta, Italy before supporting Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2021.

“We are excited about welcoming the Ghostriders to the ‘Hub of the Med,’” said NAS Sigonella’s Commanding Officer Capt.

Kevin Pickard. “As a fellow helicopter pilot, my first operational tour was here at NAS Sigonella, and it’s great to see Navy rotary aviation return to Sicily. While the operational mission remains the same for HSC-28, the facilities and training areas available here in Sigonella provide for increased readiness and operational effectiveness. We look forward to supporting HSC-28 for years in the future and fully incorporating them into the Sigonella team.”

HSC-28 provides combat ready MH-60S armed helicopters capable of personnel transfer, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and airborne mine-countermeasures to U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibilities. Detachment 1 provides direct logistics support to commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet by offering search and rescue with MEDEVAC capabilities to the region.

“The HSC-28 Detachment 1 Ghostriders are excited about transitioning our base of operations in Italy to NAS Sigonella. This move provides better proximity to maintenance facilities, offers increased training opportunities, and facilitates greater flexibility for operational tasking in the Mediterranean Sea,” said Lt. Cmdr. Andrew “Noodles” Conner, HSC-28 Detachment 1 officer in charge.

The detachment consists of approximately 25 officers and enlisted personnel. The detachment is able to conduct maintenance and training overseas to ensure continued readiness of their one MH-60S helicopter.

Crews and support elements support the detachment for six months at a time, rotating from HSC-28 in Norfolk, Virginia. The current detachment arrived in Italy in late July.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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Remembering the Sacrifices Story by MC2 Josh Cote, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs;

n remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the events I that took place on Sept. 11, 2001, service members stationed on Naval Air Station Sigonella took part in to

two ceremonies. The first ceremony was held on NAS Sigonella in front of the command building, Sept. 10, 2021.

Sailors started off the event by holding a moment of silence for all that were lost during the tragic event that day. Following that, Cmdr. Ronald Cappellini, NAS Sigonella’s executive officer, and Rear Adm. Nancy Lacore, chief of staff, U.S Naval Forces EuropeAfrica/6th Fleet, gave speeches on what this day meant to them.

“I am honored to be here with you today commemorating what is one of the most pivotal days in American history,” said Lacore. “Being here in Sigonella is especially moving, because who would have thought just over three weeks ago that you guys would be so instrumental in closing out the final chapter of this 20-year war? So today, on the 20th anniversary of Sept.

11th, we remember those nearly 3000 Americans and citizens from over 70 other nations who lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attack in American history.”

The second ceremony was held in the city of Nissoria, Italy. Service members from multiple branches gave their time in honor of the 9/11 ceremony, Sept. 11, 2021.

The ceremony held in Nissoria is one of the few 9/11 remembrance ceremonies held outside of the United States. Community members from the city were directly affected by the events that took place that day. In honor of those people, the mayor of the town had previously dedicated a plot of land for the Nissoria men and other victims that were lost that day, naming it the September 11th Park.

Each year, the ceremony starts with a small parade

September 30, 2021

20 Years After 9/11 down to the park. When the parade arrives, there is a wreath laying ceremony near the park’s plaque dedicated to 9/11.

Following this year’s wreath laying, members of the community such as Mayor Armando Glorioso and Vice Prefect Giuseppe Sindona, a representative of the National Government of the Enna province, delivered speeches to the guests.

“This is a very important commemoration this year.

We are at 20 years from the attack,” said Glorioso. “This commemoration is really deep in our heart, and this year we decided also to create a collateral event which will be a ribbon cutting of our new sports arena. This is a way to show that we really care about this. We remember that this is the only place outside the U.S., where there is an event held every year in honor of 9/11.”

Lt. Col. Chad Reger, director of operations of 7th Reconnaissance Squadron, also delivered a speech as part of the joint nation memorial event.

“Today was an honor,” said Reger. “I have been part of a lot of 9/11 ceremonies, including ones in Afghanistan, but this one is really unique. To be able to do this one with our allies and partners, and to see these families who also lost loved ones during the attack.

You will notice that a lot of our folks that came out to volunteer today are old enough to remember and either had been in the military or joined shortly after, but we also have some young kids who got to learn today. It is a really rewarding experience to share this with the Sicilians and with this town.”

At the conclusion of the memorial service, the town also held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their newly renovated soccer field. Service members were also part of this ceremony as well. After the ribbon was cut and the field was finally open for business, service members took part in soccer match against a local national team.

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Modica Chocolate, The Food of Aztec Gods

By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

You’ve probably heard of the popular Swiss chocolate “bitter water”), a paste made by grinding hand-roasted and the traditional chocolate factories of Perugia and cocoa beans in a smooth round stone called “metate.”

Turin in northern Italy, but Cioccolato di Modica The paste was melted and transformed into either a (chocolate from Modica) is special as it is still made chocolate drink or a solid bar. This chocolate became according to methods dating back centuries ago. very popular and seduced the palates of aristocrats from When I first tasted the grainy and strong dark Modica Spain, Portugal, Italy and Flanders. cioccolato a few years ago during one of the annual Today, Modica chocolate is still prepared by melting ChocoModica festivals, it changed my concept of the solid paste of cocoa beans through the ancient Aztec chocolate. “cold processing method,” where the temperature Until then, I hadn’t realized that almost all the popular always stays below 113° Fahrenheit. Nothing else is chocolate bars that I was eating weren’t actually made added except high-quality sugar, making it very different of “good” chocolate. Instead, they were full of cheap in taste than the common Western milk sugar products. ingredients such as sugar, butter, trans fats, and food The cold temperature prevents sugar crystals from additives with a very small amount of cocoa. In other melting and gives the chocolate its unique gritty texture words, they were a chocolate-like sugar bomb loaded and flavor. with unhealthy stuff! In contrast, chocolate from Modica Modica chocolate bars are produced in a plethora of leaves an intense, strong and delicious aftertaste in your different flavors such as orange, pistachio, cinnamon, mouth that you won’t easily forget. orange, lemon, donkey milk, ginger, cardamom, anise, So why is chocolate different in this Southeastern carob, majorant, white pepper, chili pepper, almond, Sicilian city, which boasts a spot on the UNESCO coffee, vanilla, Sicilian citrus fruits, Marsala wine, World Heritage list for its stunning Baroque buildings Trapani salt, hazelnut, and more. You can also find bars and churches? First and foremost, it has a different and made of pure cocoa masses that can be up to 100 percent, unique preparation method based on the ancient Mexican which have a very bitter taste.

Aztecs.

Dark chocolate is also incredibly healthy for you!

It all started when the Spaniards ruled Sicily in the 16th According to some studies, cocoa, which has been century. Mayans and Aztecs loved chocolate and consumed it as a warm drink with chili powder and other spices.

They believed it had healing qualities and regarded it as a potent aphrodisiac. According to Aztec mythology, the god Quetzalcoatl, the “feathered snake,” stole the cocoa plant from the gods and used it to make a scrumptious drink by crushing its seeds. He then turned himself into a man and came down from heaven to teach humans to cultivate it.

The gods kicked him out of paradise for sharing this secret with men.

Spanish conquistadores returning from Mexico Tempt your taste buds with the iconic Modica chocolate. It is still produced according to the recipes of the ancient Aztecs through a coldbrought back cacao and the working process to prevent sugar crystals from dissolving, giving it a unique crunchy texture. This feature makes ‘Cioccolato di Modica’ recipe to make “xocoatl,” different from all other types of chocolate on the world market. (Photo by Alberto Lunetta) (from Nahuatl words meaning "Italian News" cont’d on Page 11

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National Preparedness Month 2021: Make a Plan

By ABH2 Kelly Williams, NASSIG Emergency Operations

s the base begins to settle down after a very highA tempo operation, it is important to reevaluate your own preparedness for disasters and other potential hazards

that we may face as a community. September is National Preparedness Month, which makes it an excellent time to review how prepared you are to handle everything from a fire in your home to a full-scale evacuation of the base in a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO).

A disaster can happen at any time, which is why it is paramount that you are prepared at all times. Just like the Emergency Management Department Lead Chief Petty Officer Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) David Hooker always says: “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”

The very first step to ensure you are prepared is to make sure you have a plan that answers these questions: 1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?

Have you signed up for AtHoc notifications to your personal and work phones as well as to your email? Are your dependents signed up to receive notifications as well?

2. What is my evacuation route?

As we are all stationed OCONUS, are you are knowledgeable about the NEO process in the event of an evacuation? Do you have a “to-go” bag ready with

all of your important items such as birth certificates, passports, financial records, at least two weeks of required prescriptions, and any other items you deem important enough not to leave behind?

3. What is my family/household communication plan?

Have you created and maintained an easily accessible list of all important numbers and emergency contacts?

4. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

Do you have a complete emergency kit at all times with things like water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation), food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food), first aid kit, flashlights, and hygiene products to name a few? For a complete list please visit https://www.ready.gov/kit.

Finally, while we are still living in this global pandemic, make sure to check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and update my emergency plans due to COVID-19.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all travel requirements and confirm that you have an ample supply of masks.

For a complete list of helpful resources please visit https://www.ready.gov/plan.

So take an afternoon to make sure you are ready in case the worst happens. Your future-self may thank you.

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RACE and ACT to Save a Life

By Lt. Cmdr. Todd Iverson, NAS Sigonella Chaplain

never thought he would do it,” said my friend Rick “I about his brother who died by suicide.

“She said she was struggling, but I didn’t know how

much,” said the mother about her only child after the funeral.

“I need to think about the long term for my kids,” said the Sailor to me the night before he died by his own hand.

Some say that suicide is a long-term solution to a shortterm problem. While that might be a good description of what suicide looks like from the outside, I suspect that does a disservice to the depths of turmoil and pain in somebody contemplating taking their own life. Walking with family members and friends who are trying to make sense of death by suicide, one thing is clear: we all need to listen more carefully and act more boldly when we sense that someone might be struggling, especially when they talk about killing themselves.

The Navy promotes ACT: Ask/Care/Treat but the Marine Corps advocates for RACE: Recognize/Ask/ Care/Escort.

Since it may be a little less familiar to the Sailors here, let’s take a deep dive into RACE. (1) Recognize. SEE the people around you and when you sense that they are in trouble do not be shy about taking the next step!

(2) Act. We train in our professions to act. Do the same thing in your personal relationships with shipmates and fellow service members. If you sense pain or turmoil, ask them about it. Be the friend they need in that moment.

Don’t be afraid to ask, “Have you thought about harming yourself?”

(3) Care. Their answer may scare you, but stay focused on the one who needs you. Care enough to stick with them.

(4) Escort. Stick with them AND be wise enough to know that they need more help than you are equipped to offer. Do not leave them alone! Instead, personally take them to a caring professional.

Not sure where to go? Here are phone numbers that apply right here at NASSIG: In an emergency, call 1 911 or go directly to the emergency room on base.

Chaplains offer confidential counseling: Duty phone: +39 335 831 4493 Main office: +39 095 56 3975 sigonellachaplain@eu.navy.mil Fleet & Family Support Center: Appointments: +39 095 56 4291 NAS 2 Mental Health NAS 2 Office: +39 095 86 6095 Military OneSource: 24/7 Counseling: 00 1 703 253 7599 Ask a base chaplain for a care card with all of these numbers on it to carry with you every day.

You will encounter shipmates and fellow service members who are in despair. Maybe it’s the person at the next desk or workstation. Maybe it’s a brand new seaman.

Maybe it’s a chief. Maybe it’s an officer. ACT! RACE to get them the help they need. Be the friend that gets to see them tomorrow and the next day and the next.

Take care of each other out there. It’s a hard world, but we have each other.

"Italian News" cont’d from Page 8

September 30, 2021

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consumed for at least 2,500 years, is rich in flavonoids and antioxidants that can help prevent cardiovascular disease over the long term and lower blood pressure.

Modica chocolate caught the attention of the famous Sicilian, Leonardo Sciascia, one of Italy’s best 20th-century writers, who described it as “a dark chocolate of incomparable taste of two types - vanilla, cinnamon - to be eaten in touches or to be melted in a cup, so that whoever tastes it seems to have reached the archetype, the absolute, and that the chocolate produced elsewhere - even the most celebrated - is its adulteration, its corruption.”

Today, there are about 40 chocolate manufacturers in Modica, a production which started in 1746 according to historic sources. Twenty of the manufacturers joined forces in 2003 to create the Consortium for the Protection of Modica Chocolate to protect their chocolate under the European Union IGP Certification scheme, which guarantees a minimum of 50% chocolate and a maximum of 50% sugar in each product.

Modica chocolate can be found in stores throughout Sicily and also purchased online, but if you want to attend chocolate tastings to see the production process and choose among all the different flavors, you should plan a trip to Modica.

The city of Modica will enchant you with its historic center that was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693. The city is divided into two large districts called Modica Alta (upper) and Modica Bassa (lower). You can see breathtaking limestone Baroque palaces, churches with majestic steps, and great masterpieces such as the Cathedrals of San Giorgio and San Pietro, the Palazzo della Cultura hosting housing the Civic Archaeological Museum, the Chocolate Museum, the Church of the Carmine, the Church of Santa Maria di Betlem, and the Church of Santa Maria del Gesù.

Modica is about one and a half hours from NAS II. On the drive through the Ragusa countryside, you’ll see great scenery, including carob and olive trees and the traditional “muretti a secco” (low dry-stone walls marking field boundaries). Don’t miss it!

"DeCA" cont’d from Page 3

Commissary Service (AFCOMS). In the early 1970s, the Marine Corps Services Commissary Branch would operate their stores.

In 1989, after decades of separate services running commissaries, Congress directed the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct a study of the separate military commissary systems under the leadership of Army Lt. Gen. Donald E. Jones. The ensuing report by the Jones Commission suggested consolidating the separate service systems into one agency to improve service and save money.

As a result, the Defense Commissary Agency was established on May 15, 1990, by a memorandum from the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Army Maj. Gen. John P. Dreska was named DeCA’s first director in June 1990.

On Sept. 27, 1991, both the U.S. Troop Support Agency (TSA) at Fort Lee, Virginia, and the Air Force Commissary Service (AFCOMS) at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, held deactivation ceremonies. The Navy Resale Services Support Office (NAVRESSO) gave up its commissary functions and became the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM.) Three days later on Sept. 30, the DeCA activation and building dedication ceremony took place at its new headquarters on Fort Lee – though the activation wasn’t official until Oct. 1 at which time DeCA assumed full control of all military commissaries.

The Defense Commissary Agency has served the military community through some trying times, including the worst pandemic in a century that struck in late 2019.

By March of 2020, people were being ordered to quarantine at home and businesses and restaurants closed their doors.

But, commissaries remained open and would eventually be designated mission-critical to DOD’s pandemic response.

Early in the pandemic, shoppers rushed to their commissaries for essential items; in fact, the largest sales day in the history of the agency occurred on March 13, 2020.

With the passage of time comes change. Much of what was done in 1991 has been improved over time as DeCA embraces new and emerging methods and technologies.

Commissaries today boast conveniences like internet ordering/curbside pickup services, self-checkouts, digital coupons, dietitian-approved resources to identify healthy foods, sushi bars, hot foods, deli-bakeries, credit and debit card acceptance, gift certificates and much more. The ongoing evolution of the commissary business model with variable pricing has made store brand items possible.

“I am immensely proud to acknowledge our 30th anniversary, a milestone that recognizes the hard work of our agency employees and the significance of the benefit to the military community,” Moore said. “Although we continue to offer significant savings, our customers deserve more and we are dedicated to providing that through clean, safe stores, healthy options and great customer service. Most importantly, we are making shopping the commissary easier and more convenient. I am thrilled about the future of the commissary benefit.”