DeCA Vision Winter 2009 Vol. 18, No.1

Transcription

decavision
deca
vision
www.commissaries.com
Patrons, workforce and stakeholders working together to create ‘raving fans.’
WINTER 2009
McChord puts creative spin on new outreach campaign
‘Every Day is Mom’s Day’
decavision
Winter 2009
Vol. 18, No. 1
decavision is an authorized publication for
members of the Defense Commissary Agency.
It is published by Corporate Communications,
DeCA Headquarters, Fort Lee, Va. Contents
are not necessarily the official views of,
or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the
Department of Defense or DeCA. Printing
is by offset method; printed circulation:
10,000. Readers may submit articles and
photos. Suggestions and criticisms are
welcomed. All pictures are DeCA photos
unless otherwise identified.
Contact editor at: decavision,
HQ DeCA Corporate Communications,
1300 E Ave., Fort Lee VA 23801-1800;
telephone (804) 734-8000, ext. 4-8768;
e-mail: [email protected]
11
PRODUCE PROS: The produce department at Yongsan
Commissary, South Korea, showcases fresh fruit during
Korean Thanksgiving. Yongsan won top honors in the
“Large Overseas Store” category, its fourth consecutive first-place
finish. Read more, Pages 11-15. DeCA photo: Kim Sun-Tae
16
23
35
PENGUIN POWER: The parade of Penguins continues, with
two stores adding to their huge “rookery” of amber, gold and
silver crystal birdies, Pages 16-20.
HURRICANE COMMISSARY: DeCA West stores mobilize
to open an emergency commissary to serve shoppers in a
devastated area, Pages 23-24.
NATIVE AMERICAN
HERITAGE DAY:
Fort Sill
Commissary, Okla., brings to life
the culture, history and delicious
recipes of local tribes.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Samoa on-site sale ....................... 8
New meat contest results .......... 30
CAM winners .............................. 33
You’ve got mail ............................. 37
Heart of the benefit ...................... 48
COVER STORY: The team at McChord
Commissary, Wash., stepped up the
excitement for its “Every Day is Mom’s Day”
outreach campaign by giving it a historical
flavor. Employees dressed in Victorian-style
costumes treated customers to a variety
of little luxuries. See merchandising ideas
from around the world, Pages 4-7. DeCA
photo: Nancy O’Nell
Philip E. Sakowitz Jr.
DeCA director and CEO
Corporate communications
Ron Kelly .......................................... acting director
Sallie Cauthers ........................... chief, marketing
Ron Kelly ................................. chief, public affairs
Janice Pavlock ................................ Web manager
Staff contributers
Rick Brink ..................................... PAO, DeCA East
Cherie Huntington .................. editor, decavision
Nancy O’Nell ................................ PAO, DeCA West
Kevin Robinson ............................. media relations
Gerri Young ............................... PAO, DeCA Europe
CORRECTION: In the last issue,
Page 6, Patricia Jackson,
customer service manager at
Patrick Commissary, Fla., was
mistakenly identified as Patricia
Johnson. We regret the error.
Surf VISION online @ http://www.commissaries.com/employees/news_room/vision_magazine/index.cfm
!
fromthetop
So much good news to share
Philip E. Sakowitz Jr.
DeCA director and CEO
S
uccess and more success – that’s
the DeCA story.
You’d think that with so much
good news, we’d have nowhere
to go but down. Instead, you find more
ways to excel, more ways to serve our
customers well. Take a look at a few of the
phenomenal success stories from 2008:
Sales. Can you say “jump”? We
jumped 1.5 million transactions and 5
percent in sales, generating $5.8 billion in
sales. That’s our sixth straight year of sales
increases, and we matched the highest
sales total for DeCA since fiscal 1993. We
had 385 commissaries then, compared to
254 at the end of September 2008. You
made it happen!
Guard and Reserve support.
Again, jump’s the word. We jumped to
serve our reserve forces customers where
they live, work and serve our country,
growing the number of on-site events
DeCA Director and Chief Executive Officer Philip E. Sakowitz Jr. visits
from 21 in fiscal 2007 to an amazing 104
with commissary customer Desiree Serrano during a visit to Fort Bragg
in 2008. This fiscal year, we’re shooting
South Commissary, N.C., in November. DeCA photo: Cynthia Hernandez
for 150 events and are well on our way to
achieving that goal.
Internal review. What tremendous
shopping bags and energy-saving light bulbs.
achievements we hold in this area. DeCA
Last fiscal year, shoppers purchased nearly
earned the highest score in the Department
two million bags and more than a million
of Defense for the fiscal 2007 Statement
compact fluorescent bulbs.
of Assurance for Internal Controls, and
Employee survey. The agency’s
also for the second straight year. If that’s
latest employee satisfaction survey revealed
not enough, DeCA achieved its seventh
unprecedented improvement in every
consecutive clean audit opinion for 2008.
category and also set a DoD benchmark
That excellence reflects the commitment
score in customer orientation.
and dedication of the entire DeCA
I could go on all day heralding DeCA’s
workforce, from our senior leaders to the
great people and accomplishments, and
commissary storeworker. We must maintain
I’m not wearing rose-colored glasses,
a credible, sound benefit for the men and
overlooking major failures somewhere.
women in uniform who earned it.
I’ve traveled around the world to visit
CARTS. Every store now operates
stores and central distribution centers; I’ve
with new front-end equipment and the
listened to our customers when they pull
Commissary Advanced Resale Transaction
me aside and tell me how much they love
System, providing our customers with
their commissary. I know what you do and
the “latest and greatest” technology in the
how hard you work to give our customers a
grocery industry. (See story, Page 27.)
shopping experience that’s out of this world.
Going green. Our customers
Here’s to another year of teamwork,
enthusiastically support our green efforts,
pride and accomplishment together!
particularly when it comes to reusable
3
The staff at McChord Commissary, Wash., stands
stage ready for customers for the kickoff of the
“Every Day is Mom’s Day” outreach campaign.
Store Director Victoria Best-Rush came up with the
Victorian-era theme. “It represented a time when
life was simpler and moms had time to spend with
the family,” she said. Sixty staff members dresssed
in Victorian-era clothing, and store end caps and
some aisle tops had Victorian-style displays. DeCA
photo: Nancy O’Nell
Right, with décor as serene and light as in a
spa, Sembach Commissary, Germany, offered an
affordable luxury section, inviting moms to relax
and indulge. Customers were given free hand
massages and aromatherapy, as well as a chance
to win four free facials. DeCA photo:
Michele Johnson
4
decavision!Winter 2009
!
coverstory
In honor of all their sacrifices, every day is ...
Mom’s Day
Kevin L. Robinson
Corporate communications
E
very day in commissaries
around the world, mothers
are shopping for their
families. They often pay
attention to everyone but
themselves.
The Defense Commissary Agency wants to lavish
some well-deserved attention on the military mom
for a change.
“Moms are the heartbeat of our military
families, whether they
are holding down the
home front or in uniform
themselves deployed
down range,” said
Philip E. Sakowitz
Jr., DeCA director and
chief executive officer.
“From January through
Mother’s Day in May,
we want to focus special
attention on our military
moms and show them
how much they mean to
us.”
With its “Every Day
is Mom’s Day at Your
Commissary” initiative,
DeCA wants to pamper
moms with a variety of
specially-priced health
and beauty care products
set aside just for them.
It’s the commissary’s way
of saying “thank you” to
a customer demographic
that represents about
80 percent of daily
commissary shoppers.
Commissaries
stateside and overseas
rolled out their “red
carpets” for mothers
who populate
all segments
of the military
community. Each
store highlights a
special shopping
area for military
moms, a place
where mothers can
purchase discounted
products to treat themselves or where their
husbands or children also can do the honors.
“The military mom is the person who typically
runs the household and routinely puts herself at the
end of a long list of family obligations,” Sakowitz
said. “‘Every Day is
Mom’s Day’ seeks to
put our military moms
first, honoring all the
sacrifices they make each
and every day.”
Banners, posters and
shelf signs point the way
toward product displays
designed especially for
mom.
More photos Z
Kaylene Anderson, food
service worker and one
of the cake decorators
extraordinaire at
Vogelweh Commissary,
Germany, shows Philip
E. Sakowitz Jr., DeCA
director and chief
executive officer, how
easy it is to pluck a
single cupcake from a
giant “pull-apart” cake.
The bakery specializes
in these confections,
which involve masses of
cupcakes smothered in
a blanket of icing. DeCA
photo: Norman Brown
5
!
Ramstein
Commissary,
Germany, offers
moms a relaxing
spot with a garden
theme for them
to shop for little
luxuries such
as lotions and
soaps that fit in
any budget. DeCA
photo:
Danielle Parker
Storeworker Una Chom gives customer Katherine
Forbes a gift pack including chocolate-covered
pretzels and an assortment of teas at McChord
Commissary, Wash. All shoppers were offered hot tea
and cookies at the entrance to take the chill off the
cold, rainy Seattle weather. DeCA photo: Nancy O’Nell
6
Bitburg Commissary, Germany, provides a bright,
salon-style showcase of personal luxury items at
affordable commissary prices for moms. DeCA photo:
Ernestina Vasquez
!
Liz Bever, with her baby daughter, Ellie, received a Super Bowl surprise at the
grand opening of Richards-Gebaur Commissary, Mo., in January. Presented by
Nick Conforti of C & C Produce, Kansas City, Mo., the football-shaped snack
bowl filled with fruit and affordable luxuries from the commissary highlighted
the “Every Day is Mom’s Day” promotion. DeCA photo: Rick Brink
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class
Pilar Turner, Imperial Beach
Commissary, Calif., won some
sweet luxuries to brighten
her day, courtesy Coast
Produce Company. Coast’s
“Every Day is Mom’s Day”
produce pampering basket
promotion awards a gift to
one mom at each store the
company services. Contents
include a fruit assortment,
lotion, hand and sunscreen
cream, and facial scrub.
Pictured with Turner are, from
left, Store Director Freddie
Espiritu; Turner’s daughter,
Falicity; her husband, John;
and produce manager Tom
DeGuzman. Coast Produce
Company photo
7
!
Virginia Galuvao, left, store associate at Pearl Harbor Commissary, Hawaii, uses a hand lift to restock cases during
the sale at American Samoa. “The pace was steady for all three days,” said Galuvao, who has been with DeCA for five
years. DeCA photo
Commissary
goods await
stocking in 14
van containers
in American
Samoa. DeCA
photo
8
!
Four thousand shoppers benefited at the on-site sale in American Samoa, hosted by Pearl Harbor Commissary, Hawaii.
DeCA photo
Samoa sensation
Happy customers report
going to sale three, four times
Nancy O’Nell
DeCA West public affairs officer
P
earl Harbor Commissary, Hawaii,
delivered the benefit in a big way to reserve
forces members and their families at Konelia
Pele U.S. Army Reserve Center, American
Samoa, Aug. 11-13, resulting in record sales for an
on-site event: $250,222.
More on-site news,
American Samoa is an unincorporated U.S.
next page Z
territory in the South Pacific. More than 4,000
shoppers came through the registers for the sale,
described as “a tremendous benefit for our Reserve
members and their families” by Maj. John Adams,
commander of Army Reserve forces on American
Samoa.
Fifteen commissary associates and three industry
representatives supported the sale. Fourteen van
containers of resale product, including one filled with
frozen foods, arrived two days before the sale.
Freda Tuaau, secretary, and Juanita Burrus, lead
store associate, both from Schofield Commissary,
Hawaii, took their skills “on the road” to serve at the
on-site sale in American Samoa. DeCA photo
9
!
‘Road warriors’
Twelve commissaries currently lead the way in taking their goods on the road for
on-site sales, with six-figure success at 23 events, as of Dec. 31, 2008:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii @ American Samoa
Fort Bragg South, N.C. @ Charlotte, N.C.
Fort Bragg South @ Charlotte
NB Pearl Harbor @ Hilo, Hawaii
Fort Bragg South @ Charlotte
Fort Gillem, Ga. @ Atlanta
Fort Gillem @ Chattanooga, Tenn.
NAS Jacksonville, Fla. @ Miami
NB Pearl Harbor @ Hilo
Fort Jackson, S.C. @ Greenville, S.C.
Patrick AFB, Fla. @ Miami
Fort Jackson @ Greenville
Fort Gillem @ Chattanooga
Maxwell AFB, Ala. @ Fort McClellan, Ala.
Fort Gillem @ Atlanta
Fort Sam Houston, Texas @ Houston
Fort Gillem @ Atlanta
Fort Gillem @ Chattanooga
Fort Campbell, Ky. @ Louisville, Tenn.
Hill AFB, Utah @ Riverton, Utah
Little Rock AFB, Ark. @ Camp Robinson, Ark.
Little Rock AFB @ Camp Robinson
Eglin AFB, Fla. @ Mobile, Ala.
Tinker Commissary, Okla.,
hosted an on-site sale,
Aug. 7-8, for the Oklahoma
Army National Guard in
Tulsa, about 100 miles
away, with sales of
$56,171. DeCA photo:
John Spaur
10
Aug 08
Jun 08
Apr 08
Oct 08
Dec 08
Oct/Nov 08
Dec 08
Apr 08
Oct 07
Oct 08
Nov 08
Jun 08
Sep 08
Oct 08
Apr 08
Jun 08
Jul 08
Jun 08
Aug 08
Sep 08
Mar 08
Oct 08
Oct 08
$250,222
$248,250
$233,414
$216,940
$211,598
$211,279
$199,486
$191,476
$187,000
$181,624
$165,000
$162,085
$159,724
$155,405
$145,616
$144,195
$142,042
$128,000
$124,105
$101,583
$101,043
$100,844
$100,362
!
Produce pros
P
Fresh ideas abound in annual competition
retty as a picture but oh so fresh and
delicious, too – that describes the hundreds
of mouthwatering produce displays created in
the Defense Commissary Agency’s 9th Annual
Produce Merchandising Contest.
Fifteen commissaries earned honors this year,
highlighting a theme of “Fresh Fruits and Veggies
= Health and Fitness = Mission Ready.” Yongsan
Commissary, South Korea, celebrated an
unprecedented fourth consecutive win as best large
overseas store.
“Produce represents the ‘crown
jewel’ of the commissary
benefit,” said
Philip E.
Sakowitz
Jr., DeCA
director
and
Superstore
First place:
Second place:
Third place:
chief executive officer. “We’re proud to serve the
world’s most health-conscious, discerning customers
when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables, so we
work extremely hard to delight them and exceed their
expectations in quality, variety, presentation and
personal service.”
The annual competition highlights the
commissary’s role as nutritional leader for the
Department of Defense. Winning stores excelled in
quality and team performance in creative displays,
customer education programs emphasizing healthy
benefits of fresh produce, and increased produce
sales. The evaluation period covered a minimum of
any two weeks, May 1-Sept. 15, 2008. Commissaries
submitted digital portfolios to DeCA’s sales
directorate for judging.
Z
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
McChord Air Force Base, Wash.
McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.
Large U.S. Store
First place:
Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
Second place:
Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
Third place:
McClellan, Calif.
Large Overseas Store
First place:
Yongsan, South Korea
Second place:
Camp Courtney, Okinawa
Third place:
Spangdahlem, Germany
Small U.S. Store
First place:
Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
Second place:
Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
Third place:
Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho
Small Overseas Store
First place:
Bamberg, Germany
Second place:
Taegu Camp Walker, South Korea
Third place:
Livorno, Italy
11
!
“Healthy Bear” combines the cute factor with
the health factor of fresh fruits and veggies for
Lackland Commissary, Texas, in the annual produce
merchandising contest. Sales soared nearly 21 percent
higher than last year. The store previously won the 2006
superstore category. DeCA photo: Sun Hui Giacobbe
“The commissary is worth the trip, and produce
is no exception,” said Randy Chandler, DeCA’s
sales director. “Many customers make extra visits
to the commissary just for fresh fruits and veggies
between their regular shopping trips because they
demand quality produce at the peak of freshness.
It’s important to our customers, and it’s important
to us.”
Commissary shoppers save an average of
more than 30 percent on their overall grocery bills
compared to commercial prices. In addition, fresh
produce frequently takes center stage at case lot
sales or special “farmers market” events, which can
deliver savings of 50 percent or more.
12
Team Lackland’s produce team includes, from left,
Vanessa Pizana, Miguel Santos, Belinda Connell, Edgar
Gonzales, Petra Martinez, and Sun Hui Giacobbe,
produce manager. Not pictured are Dwayne Clark, Jose
Pena, Samuel Marquez, Roger Faz, Adam Newman,
Kevin Murray, Fredrick Fraijo, and Magdalena Lindley,
lead. DeCA photo: Katherine “Kat” Lee
!
Left, Tinker Commissary, Okla.,
nailed first place large U.S.
store honors in the annual
produce merchandising
competition with imaginative,
colorful displays such as this
one. C & C Produce photo:
Dennis Messner
Below, Tinker Commissary’s
award-winning produce team
includes, standing from left,
Tina Davenport, Alana Kueffler,
Rayong Jackson, Christopher
Craig, Tom Davenport, Melvin
Hopkins, Darrly Grayson and
Janice Murphy. Kneeling is
Terry Watson, former produce
manager. Not pictured is Pam
Walker, storeworker leader.
C & C Produce photo:
Dennis Messner
Left, a parade of produce gift baskets awaits
display at Yongsan Commissary, South
Korea. Yongsan remains the one to beat in
the annual produce merchandising contest,
achieving four consecutive wins. DeCA
photo: Kim Sun-Tae
Z
13
!
Yongsan Commissary, South
Korea, uses colorful signs
to highlight the vitamin
sources found in different
types of produce. The local
produce vendor, KACM,
created the signs. DeCA
photo: Kim Sun-Tae
Above right, the awardwinning Yongsan produce
team includes, from front
left, Yi Mun-U,
An Chong-Hwan and
Kim Chung-Jik. From rear
left is Kim Yong-Kuk,
To Kon-U, Julie Rusch,
No Tae-Su, and Kim Sun-Tae,
produce manager. DeCA
photo: Michael Mertz
Above, pears proved irresistible to customers
at Altus Commissary, Okla., thanks to this mass
display of pear varieties, built by Gary Gillispie,
produce manager. C & C Produce photo:
Dennis Messner
Left, the Altus produce team includes Sharea
Rhue, produce worker; Gary Gillispie, produce
manager; and Rudee Conroy, produce worker.
Not pictured are Mary Baugh and Juan Chavarria,
produce workers. DeCA photo: Misty Martin
14
!
The Bamberg team includes Stefan
Schluter, produce manager; Kathrin Gotz
and Rickey Baldwin, produce storeworkers;
and Robert Vogel, store manager. DeCA
photo
Customers enjoyed fresh fruit samples from this display at
Bamberg Commissary, Germany. The store won first place small
overseas store in the produce merchandising competition.
DeCA photo
Chris Craig, produce associate at Tinker Commissary, Okla.,
helps “pile ‘em high to watch ‘em fly” at the store’s first
farmers market sale. Two more sales followed, proving so
popular with customers that in June 2008, the department
celebrated its first time as the No. 1 produce department in
sales in Zone 8. DeCA photo
15
T
Penguin power
wo commissaries
clearly rank as “best in
class” when it comes to
winning amber, gold and
silver Penguins, taking seven of
this year’s 17 awards: Aberdeen
Proving Ground, Md., and
Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Ice is nice, but these
penguins thrive on
hot competition
Awarded by the National Frozen and
Refrigerated Foods Association in three annual
competitions, DeCA traditionally scores trophies into
the double digits, with 23 in 2007 and 17 in 2006.
Following are the winners in two of the competitions,
with no DeCA winners this year in the Ice Cream and
Novelties competition in June and July.
March Frozen Food Month
Gold
Eglin Commissary, Fla.: Best Department Display,
2nd consecutive; Overall Store Promotion
Fort Belvoir Commissary, Va.: Best End Cap Display
Silver
Aberdeen Commissary, Md.: Best End Cap Display
McClellan Commissary, Calif.: Best End Cap Display,
Overall Store Promotion
McGuire Commissary, Md.: Best Department Display
Quantico Commissary, Va.: Best End Cap Display,
2nd consecutive
16
Tinker Commissary, Okla.: Best End Cap Display,
Best Department Display
Yokosuka Commissary, Japan: Overall Store
Promotion
June Dairy Month
Amber
Aberdeen Commissary, Md.: Overall Store
Promotion, 3rd consecutive gold
Gold
Eglin Commissary, Fla.: Best End Cap Display; Best
Department Display, 2nd consecutive
Silver
Aberdeen Commissary, Md.: Best End Cap Display,
2nd consecutive
McGuire Commissary, N.J.: Best Department Display
Fort Leonard Wood Commissary, Mo.: Overall Store
Promotion
‘Penguin queens’
Can anyone ever match the achievements of
Aberdeen’s Diane Mann, store manager, with nearly
40 Penguins behind her, or Eglin’s Maggie Hayden,
grocery manager, with nearly 30?
!
Winning four golds total this
year, Eglin went with a theme
of “Eglin Goes to the Movies” in
frozen food competition.
“We made a 66-foot film reel
above our freezers,” said Hayden,
“introducing the customers to the
characters they would encounter
in each display throughout the
frozen food department. Our
Diane Mann
customers loved it!”
Aberdeen celebrated its third
consecutive gold in the dairy
contest for overall effort, which
earned the store a coveted Amber
Penguin. “The entire store was
decorated and cross-merchandised
with the Kung Fu Panda movie
theme,” said Store Director
Tammy Spickler. “Demos added
to the ‘flavor’ of the theme.”
New to winner’s circle
Maggie Hayden
New to gold recognition this
year was Fort Belvoir, and its winning end cap in
Using a movie theme in Frozen Food Month
décor, Eglin Commissary, Fla., let popular
characters such as Doc Hudson from “Cars”
draw attention to frozen meal options. DeCA
photo: Maggie Hayden
Tinker Commissary, Okla., welcomes customers to
Frozen Food Month with an enormous igloo flanked by
larger-than-life penguins. DeCA photo: Andrea White
Left, this end cap display at Fort Belvoir Commissary,
Va., illustrates the ease of frozen food options for
family meals. Webco photo: Theresa Catlett
Z
17
!
Penguin footprints lead customers through the variety of frozen food
selections in Yokosuka Commissary, Japan, during Frozen Food Month.
DeCA photo: Totolua Ripley Jr.
McClellan Commissary, Calif., highlights a theme of “From Our Table to
Yours” in their Frozen Food Month displays, such as this polar bear family
gathered at a picnic table. DeCA photo: Howard Malloy
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frozen food already had shoppers
buzzing with excitement.
“Our customers loved the end
caps that were decorated for this
competition,” said Store Director
Troy Collins. “We had four end
caps that were decorated, and
there was one end cap that most
customers picked as their favorite.
Lo and behold, it won the Golden
Penguin for best end cap. Bravo!”
Tinker emerged on the scene
to win two silvers in frozen food
competition, and the staff remains
pumped up to pursue gold next
year.
“This promotion in
particular creates a lot of
excitement among our store
personnel due to its magnitude
and level of competition,” said
Andrea White, store manager.
“Employees take tremendous
pride in seeing a display concept
transform into a finished product.
Customers, both young and
old, recognized the efforts put
forth, and we received many
compliments on the display
during promotion.”
Compliments aren’t all the
store received, however. Sales
bumped up 8.3 percent over the
previous year, with the frozen
food commodities reflecting an
overall increase of 4.1 percent
over the previous year. All
winning stores noted a sales
increase.
Other newcomers included
McClellan and Yokosuka.
“Any time a display this large is
built, the entire store feeds on the
excitement,” said Bill Brown,
McClellan’s grocery manager.
“All departments benefited from
increased sales and felt a sense of
accomplishment.”
“We saw an increase in frozen
food sales during the month,”
said Yokosuka Store Director
Totolua Ripley, “and we
attribute this to the many product
demonstrations, cooking classes
and other outreach events.”
Returning ‘warriors’
Fort Leonard Wood,
Colorful displays such as this one helped
boost sales of frozen vegetables and meals
at Quantico Commissary, Va. DeCA photo:
Rick Brink
Z
A truck delivers more product for the March Frozen Food Month
sidewalk sale at Yokosuka Commissary, Japan. DeCA photo:
Totolua Ripley Jr.
McGuire and Quantico all
scored gold or silver victories last
year, and Quantico seems primed
to bring home Penguins every
year, with roughly a dozen to their
credit.
“One great benefit was seeing
the enthusiasm on the kids faces,”
said James Johnson, Quantico
computer-assisted ordering
specialist. “The sales went up
on frozen pizza, vegetables
and dinners. Our sales were
outstanding!”
With its Jersey Shore theme,
McGuire Commissary, N.J., drew
customer interest with this Ferris
wheel, complete with penguin
passengers. DeCA photo:
John Zoubra
19
!
HOT STORE-LEVEL RECORDS
Anchorage Area, Alaska
Sep
Record sales day
$343,351
Aviano, Italy
Sep
Deli record sales
$82,139
NBK Bangor, Wash.
Jul
Produce record sales
$300,228
Sep
Record sales year
$29.5 million
Bolling AFB, D.C.
Dec
Sushi record sales day
$1,084
Camp Courtney, Okinawa
Sep
Record sales day
$53,860
Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Aug
Produce record sales, meat record sales
$346,196, $347,456
Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Aug
Record sales, produce record sales
$5.4 million, $445,000
Sep
Record sales year
$58.7 million
Nov
Record sales
$5.43 million
Aug
Record sales; produce, meat, grocery record sales
$2.7 million; $220,129, $234,371,
$2.3 million
Charleston AFB, S.C.
Sep
Record sales day
$173,722
NWS Charleston, S.C.
Aug
Record sales; produce, meat, grocery record sales
$2.1 million; $177,366, $182,551,
$1.8 million
Jul
All-time record sales day
$141,679
MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.
Aug
$186,985
Columbus AFB, Ga.
Jul/Aug
Meat record sales
1st two-month streak
$1 million+
Aug
Produce, grocery record sales
$78,150, $885,895
Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
Jul
$349,704
Eglin AFB, Fla.
Aug
Record sales
$4.5 million
Sep
Case lot record sales day
$260,225
NAF El Centro, Calif.
Aug
Produce record sales day
$555
Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
Aug
Record sales day, meat record sales, meat
weekend record sales
$103,181, $100,263, $15,000
Fairchild AFB, Wash.
Jul
$181,858
Fort Belvoir, Va.
(agency & store records)
Jul
$951,607
Aug/Sep
Record sales/record sales year
$8.9 million/$102 million
Oct
Record sales
$8.97 million
Nov
Record sales, record sales day, 3-day record sales,
3-day hourly record sales
$9.3 million, $534,382,
$1.4 million, $40,077
Fort Benning, Ga.
Aug/Nov
Record sales
$5.1 million/$5.2 million
Fort Bliss, Texas
Aug
Meat 2-day record sales
$50,800
Fort Bragg North, N.C.
Sep
Record sales year
$43.5 million
Fort Bragg South, N.C.
Aug
Record sales since store opening in 2000
$6.5 million
Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico
Nov
Record sales
$4.4 million
Fort Detrick, Md.
Nov
Store-only record sales day
$67,415
Fort Drum, N.Y.
Oct
On-site pre-booked record sales
$64,000
Fort Eustis, Va.
Aug/Nov
Record sales
Sep
Grocery record sales day
$205,264
Fort Greely, Alaska
Nov
Meat 3-day record sales
$2,729
Fort Jackson, S.C.
Sep
Case lot 2-day record sales
$719,123
Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Aug
Meat record sales
$216,249
Fort Lee, Va.
Nov
Record sales
$3.4 million
Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Fort Lewis, Wash.
20
Aug/Sep
Record sales/case lot Friday record sales
$3 million/$219,636
Nov
Record sales, record sales Sunday
$3.1 million, $130,000
Jul
Produce record sales day
$17,266
!
Fort McCoy, Wis.
Sep
Case lot record sales day
$56,000
Fort Meade, Md.
Nov
Record sales day
$372,320
Fort Myer, Va.
Nov
Record sales day
$322,534
Fort Rucker, Ala.
Sep
Record sales year
$30.3 million
Fort Sill, Okla.
Aug
Record sales, record sales day
$3.2 million, $171,212
Sep/Oct
Record sales year/record sales
Fort Stewart, Ga.
Aug
Record sales
$3.2 million
Harrison Village, Ind.
Aug
All-time record sales
$1.3 million
Hickam AFB, Hawaii
Nov
Record sales
$4 million
Holloman AFB, N.M.
Oct
$11,595
NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
Jul/Sep
Record sales/record sales year
Kadena AB, Okinawa
Sep/Nov
Record sales day/record sales, all-time record
sales day
$209,000/$5.7 million, $287,518
MCB Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
Aug
Record sales
$3 million
NSB Kings Bay, Ga.
Aug
Record sales, produce record sales, meat record
sales, grocery record sales
$1.4 million, $98,166, $135,674,
$1.1 million
Kunsan AB, South Korea
Jul
Record sales day
$39,877
Langley AFB, Va.
Nov
Record sales
$5.9 million
NAB Little Creek, Va.
Aug
Record sales, bakery record sales, deli record
sales, grocery record sales
$5.9 million, $54,607, $92,357,
$4.9 million
Oct
Bakery, meat record sales
Little Rock AFB, Ark.
Sep
Case lot Friday record sales
Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
Aug/Nov
Record sales
$2 million/$2 million
Maxwell AFB, Ala.
Oct
Record sales
$3 million
McConnell AFB, Kan.
Shopper at Fort Belvoir
$57,715, $443,429
Commissary, Va.,
in 1964.
DeCA historical$195,305
file photo
Aug
Record sales day
$133,990
Nov
Record sales, record customer count Thanksgiving
week
$207,014, 2,665
Mitchel Field, N.Y.
Nov
Record sales day
$41,839
Nellis AFB, Nev.
Sep
Record sales year
$59 million
NSB New London, Conn.
Jul
Produce all-time record sales
$172,826
Nov
Two consecutive months’ sales
$2 million+
NB Norfolk, Va.
Aug/Nov
Record sales
NAS North Island, Calif.
Aug
Record sales
$1.6 million
NAS Oceana, Va.
Aug
Record sales, meat record sales
$7.3 million, $540,648
Osan AB, South Korea
Oct
$154,996
MCRD Parris Island, S.C.
Jul
Record sales; meat, 15 consecutive months record
sales
$1.3 million; $100,000+
Patrick AFB, Fla.
Nov
Record sales
$4 million
NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Jul
Record sales, produce record sales
Aug
Record sales
$8 million, $1 million
NAS Pensacola, Fla.
Sep/Nov
All-time record sales day/grocery record sales
$272,637/$3.6 million
MCB Quantico, Va.
Nov
Record sales, record sales day
$5.9 million, $323,721
Robins AFB, Ga.
Sep
$12,240
NS Rota, Spain
Sep
Bakery-deli No. 1 increased sales for Military Deli
and Bakery Service Inc. for 2 weeks
Case lot: 1st day record sales, weekend record
sales
NB San Diego, Calif.
Jul/Aug
Produce record sales/record sales, meat record
sales
$669,737/$7.5 million, $591,560
Sep/Oct
Record sales day
$371,618/$378,695
Nov
Record sales
$7.9 million
Current Store Director Troy Collins, Fort Belvoir
$8.5 million
Commissary, Va. DeCA photo:
Rick Brink
$54,973, $121,117
Z
21
!
MCB San Onofre, Calif.
Jul/Aug
$51,581/$54,979
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
Nov
Record sales
$5 million
Schweinfurt, Germany
Nov
Record sales day
$86,323
Spangdahlem, Germany
Aug
All-time record sales
$793,656
Shaw AFB, S.C.
Aug
Record sales
$2 million
NIOC Sugar Grove, W.Va.
Sep/Oct
Record sales day/record sales
$12,027/$45,394
Nov
Regular day record sales, seafood road show
record sales
$4,950, $1,567
Tobyhanna AD, Pa.
Nov
Record sales day
$24,517
Vicenza, Italy
Aug
Record sales, decorated cake record sales
$1.1 million, $1,800
Oct
All-time record sales, grocery record sales
$1.2 million, $995,079
Vance AFB, Okla.
Sep
Record sales year
$6 million
Vogelweh, Germany
Aug
Seafood road show record sales, 3-day record
sales
$23,702, $418,000
Zone 28, Fort Lee, Va.
Aug
Record sales
$32.9 million
Nov
Record sales, Military Produce Group record cases
$33 million, 13,370
Fresh grillin’s thrillin’
A barbecue tin man helps remind customers that fresh, grilled veggies are healthy and tasty, too, in this display built
during DeCA’s annual produce merchandising competition. DeCA photo: Sun Hui Giacobbe
22
!
Nancy Wade, right, sales store checker from Fairchild Commissary, Wash., checks out Senior Master Sgt. John
Padfield in the temporary store established at Ellington Field, Texas. DeCA photo: John Spaur
Hurricane relief
Zone 6, Fort Sam Houston Commissary
set up temporary store to serve customer needs
Nancy O’Nell
D
eCA came to the aid of
military families after
Hurricane Ike hit the
coast of Texas on Sept. 13.
With local food stores severely
stripped of supplies, DeCA set up
a temporary relief commissary
on Ellington Field Joint Reserve
Base, Texas, about 15 miles south
of downtown Houston.
The store opened Sept. 28
with 160 products, a mix of
easy-to-prepare food and other
essential household items.
“Our stock grew to nearly
400 products before we closed
Oct. 10,” said Marty Jackson,
Zone 6 manager. Jackson had
been manager overseeing 10
commissaries in Texas for barely a
month when Hurricane Ike hit.
“With the electricity still
out in many places, fresh meat
was in demand,” said Jackson.
“Ground beef, steaks, sausages
— they wanted anything you could
barbecue. We went through a lot
of charcoal and lighter fluid.”
DeCA filled in the stock list
with fresh produce, milk, eggs,
canned goods — anything with a
flip top that could be poured in a
pan and heated — paper products,
batteries, Sterno fuel, baby food,
diapers and cleaning supplies.
And without the local bread
plant operating, bread became a
coveted commodity.
As customers came through,
the staff asked them what they
needed most then ordered those
items from Fort Sam Houston
Commissary. When the relief
commissary opened the next day,
the requested items were on the
shelf.
Z
23
The installation provided hangar space for DeCA’s temporary commissary.
DeCA photo: John Spaur
Jackson said one of the
biggest challenges for DeCA was
traffic. A round-trip drive to pick
up food supplies at Fort Sam took
more than 10 hours, and DeCA
made this trip every day to restock
and pick up special orders.
To transport daily
deliveries from Fort Sam, DeCA
rented two trucks: a 20-foot
refrigerated truck and a 24-foot
nonrefrigerated truck. The local
distributor, Grocery Supply
Company, delivered the rest of
the stock directly to the site. The
distributor also helped set up
the store by bringing in display
supplies and shopping carts from
the Warrior Way commissary on
Fort Hood, Texas. To serve as a
“backroom,” DeCA rented a 48foot refrigerated trailer to store
eggs, dairy, meat, produce and
frozen products.
As luck would have it, the
logistics of finding a location and
setting up the relief commissary
was easy because Fort Sam
Houston had held an on-site sale
for Guard and Reserve members
at Ellington Field in June 2008.
“Our contacts were solid,”
said Jackson. “I called the 147th
Fighter Wing commander, Col.
Lanny McNeely, and practically
before I could ask the question
he said, ‘Yes, we need you now.
When can you get here?’”
Once the decision to open
the store was made, Jackson
appointed Store Director John
Spaur, Tinker Commissary,
Okla., as the site director. “John
carried the sale on his shoulders,”
said Jackson. “He made
everything come together.”
According to Spaur, the
147th Fighter Wing played a
significant role in getting the
commissary up and running
quickly. “The 147th gave us their
aircraft hanger to hold the sale,”
he said. “They hard-wired all the
refrigeration cases, supplied the
forklifts and fuel, and provided
any other on-the-ground support
we needed. They really rocked and
rolled and took good care of us.”
During the two weeks the
commissary was open, all 19
DeCA employees lived in motor
homes parked about a quarter of a
mile from the hangar. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency
set up a day center for displaced
residents in the same parking
lot, and FEMA provided a mobile
shower and a mobile laundry unit.
Spaur said that both the
shower and laundry units were
appreciated by the DeCA workers
after the long days at work.
Other DeCA team members
working at Ellington included:
Barstow Commissary, Calif.:
Curtis Walker
Davis-Monthan Commissary,
Ariz.: Charlene Berger,
Michelle Langdon
DeCA West: Efren Metrillo,
Mike Selkirk
Ellsworth Commissary, S.D.:
Berlyn Ghost, Dave Knott
Fairchild Commissary, Wash.:
Nancy Wade
Fort Irwin Commissary,
Calif.: Jessica Harris
Fort Sam Houston
Commissary, Texas: Veronica
Carrillo, Ricky Martinez
Lackland Commissary, Texas:
Tonya Brown, Reba Perlotte
Peterson Commissary,
Colo.: Fe Vaughn, Maria Fe
Bettencourt
U.S. Air Force Academy
Commissary, Colo.: Rick Skubal
The team staffing the temporary commissary came from various DeCA
West locations. Volunteers included: front row, Fe Vaughn, Peterson
Air Force Base, Colo.; and Veronica Carillo, Fort Sam Houston, Texas;
middle row, Stacy Roberts, Fort Riley, Kan.; Maria Fe Bettencourt,
Peterson Air Force Base; and Charlene Berger, Davis-Monthan Air Force
Base, Ariz.; and back row, Efren Metrillo, DeCA West, McClellan, Calif.;
Nancy Wade, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.; and Marty Jackson, Zone
6 manager, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. DeCA photo: John Spaur
24
!
Holiday hoopla
Fort Bragg South’s holiday decorating
tradition delights customers
A holiday Ferris wheel, decorated trees and plenty of giant candies
represent a few of the creative touches generated by grocery manager
Bonnie Ramsey at Fort Bragg South Commissary, N.C. DeCA photo:
Rick Brink
Rick Brink
DeCA East public affairs officer
W
rapping rolls of paper
towels with colorful
cellophane, amazingly
turning them into large
“candies” placed under a lighted
tree, is just one display technique
Fort Bragg South Commissary,
N.C., employs in creating a fantastic,
storewide holiday atmosphere year
after year.
The first sites customers
encounter when they enter the store
include “Santa’s Landing,” featuring
the store’s permanent, custommade replica of the Cape Hatteras
lighthouse – famous symbol of North
Carolina and tallest lighthouse in the
nation; a silvery mountain decked out
with a variety of nutcracker soldiers;
and a large gingerbread house that
tops a spice display.
By the time they leave, they’ve
enjoyed the scene of a life-size,
stuffed Santa going over a list in
a room festooned with gifts and a
lighted tree. They’ve seen the tops
of every refrigerator and freezer
display case decorated with a variety
of animated and static holiday theme
figures – from a train, a Ferris wheel,
several Santas, elves and snowmen,
to penguins, carolers, bears and
M&M guys – and lots of tinsel and
evergreen garland. There’s not a
section that doesn’t feature some kind
of decoration.
“Every year it just gets better
– and our customers love it, largely
because it’s smartly done,” said Loren
Sperrey, store director.
It all began in 2000 when Bonnie
Ramsey, grocery manager, arrived
at the commissary after her store at
nearby Pope Air Force Base closed,
and she brought her penchant for
holiday decorating with her.
“Bonnie can certainly be
described as the leader and brains
behind it all, but she’s the first to pass
along a good deal of the credit to the
many employees who work together
to literally decorate the entire store
in what’s become our annual holiday
Z
décor,” Sperrey said.
25
!
No detail goes
untended with Fort
Bragg South’s rich
tradition of holiday
decorating. DeCA
photos: Rick Brink
Fort Bragg South’s
‘holiday décor 101’
B
•
•
•
•
•
26
onnie Ramsey, grocery manager at
Fort Bragg South Commissary, N.C.,
offers simple decorating tips:
Start with what you have. The scope and
detail of Bragg South’s displays have been
years in the making.
Store what you have. The decorations are
packed away carefully to be used again.
Accumulate what you can. Add new
items each year if possible. She has her eye
out for an inflatable helicopter that could be
suspended from the ceiling for Santa’s use
since Bragg is “Airborne Country.”
Keep out of reach of children. This
is why the tops of refrigerator and freezer
display cases are used, the gingerbread house
sits atop a spice display and the nutcracker
mountain is surrounded by bins of nuts.
It’s not all store-bought. Clear, colorful
cellophane wrapped around paper plates
stuck on the end of long, thin cardboard
tubes look like giant lollipops.
!
We have liftoff
Rick Brink
DeCA East public affairs officer
O
ne of the most modern
checkout systems in the
grocery industry is now
used by commissary
shoppers around the world since
the Defense Commissary Agency
and IBM completed installing the
new Commissary Advanced Resale
Transaction System in record time
in DeCA stores worldwide.
“All 255 of our commissaries
now have our new checkout
system, and I want to thank IBM
and all the DeCA employees
who worked so very hard to
make this happen with minimal
disruption in just two years time
– something unheard of in our
business, considering the scope
and complexity of the project,”
said Philip E. Sakowitz Jr.,
DeCA director and chief executive
officer.
The installation program
began in October 2006 at Fort
Lee Commissary, Va., and
trekked around the world to
commissaries in the United
States, Europe and Asia. It
New front-end system
stands mission ready
in record time, with
minimal disruption
ended last Oct. 15 about a month
ahead of schedule when the
system, otherwise known as
CARTS, was installed at Riyadh
Commissary, Saudi Arabia.
The numbers reveal the
project’s enormity:
a 2,134 in-lane registers
(conventional) installed
a 870 self-checkout registers
installed
a 611 wireless registers
(mobile carts) installed
a 541 price check stations
installed
a 764 handheld terminals
installed
a 17,000-plus store
personnel trained
The new checkouts replace a
system that had become outdated
since it was installed in 1996
and upgraded in 2004. The new
system brought self-checkouts
to stores for the first time and
features technology that meets
the evolving needs of DeCA, the
Department of Defense and the
grocery industry.
Not a single commissary
had to close to accommodate the
installation because the systems
were installed during times
stores were normally closed.
The installation is part of a fiveyear, $270 million contract with
IBM, a multinational computer
technology and consulting
corporation. With the installation
complete, the program has
entered the sustainment phase.
“Much of what DeCA
does is on the leading edge of
technology to boost our efficiency
and effectiveness,” Sakowitz
said. “This is funded by the
5-percent surcharge we collect
at the register, so we’ve gone
to great lengths to ensure we’ll
get the highest return possible
for our investment. As we enter
the sustainment phase, we’ll
continue efforts to ensure we’re
providing the best possible service
to our customers as well as to
our employees who operate the
system.”
Chomp!
The winning pumpkin in
a carving competition at
Ramstein Commissary,
Germany, features two
pumpkins — a “chomper,”
and a “chompee”
masquerading as a loaded
hamburger. The store sold
31,181 pounds of pumpkins
in October, not counting
painted or “baby” decorative
pumpkins. DeCA photo
27
!
One part spiders, spooks;
99 parts pumpkin
Fall colors
XGRAB ONE, IF YOU
DARE: With the stage
set for giant spiders and
skeletons galore, Fort
Stewart Commissary, Ga.,
makes buying a pumpkin
a spooky adventure. DeCA
photo: Priscilla Echols
T PUMPKIN PRINCESS:
Little Sophie fits easily
into one of the large
pumpkins for sale last fall
at Garmisch Commissary,
Germany. Sgt. William
Good and his wife, Shira,
loaded their daughter into
the pumpkin, much to
the toddler’s amusement.
Courtesy photo
S CANDY CREEPY-CRAWLY: This giant spider at Oceana
Commissary, Va., serves as sentry for a mass display of
Halloween candy. DeCA photo: Hazel Ennis
28
S FALL’S SWEET BOUNTY: A variety of fall
apples take center stage in this colorful
display built by Vicky Parsons, produce
manager, and Scott Davis, Military
Produce Group merchandiser, at Gunter
Commissary, Ala. DeCA photo:
B.J. Montgomery
SBAUMHOLDER BOO: Grocery manager Loretta Moses
and WEBCO merchandiser Rita Sanderful built this creepy
Halloween scene at Baumholder Commissary, Germany. The
display won large store top honors in DeCA Europe’s theme
display contest in October. DeCA photo: Loretta Moses
29
!
Meat
merchandising
competition
magic New
highlights meat
department skills
T
hirteen commissaries
won honors for their
meat merchandising
mettle in the Defense
Commissary Agency’s first-ever Meat
Merchandising Contest, announced
Jan. 7.
“Savvy shoppers know that
commissary meat cases carry the top
value savings throughout the store,”
said Philip E. Sakowitz Jr., DeCA
director and chief executive officer.
“Great merchandising helps customers
remember that fact when it’s time to
spend their hard-earned dollars on
groceries.”
Highlighting a theme of “Meat
Your Healthy Choices,” winning stores
are listed below by region. Included
are “site stores,” or commissaries that
are provided fresh meat cuts processed
and wrapped at a larger, “parent”
commissary.
DeCA East
Superstore: Naval Air Station
Jacksonville, Fla.
Large:
Fort Eustis, Va.
Small:
Naval Support Facility
Dahlgren, Va.
Site Store: Fort McCoy, Wis.
DeCA West, Stateside
Superstore: Lackland Air Force
Base, Texas
Large:
McClellan, Calif.
Small:
Vance Air Force Base,
Okla.
Site Store: Naval Air Facility
El Centro, Calif.
30
DeCA West, Overseas
Large:
Yokota Air Base,
Japan
Small:
Naval Air Facility
Atsugi, Japan
Site Store: Camp Stanley,
South Korea
DeCA Europe
Large:
Heidelberg,
Germany
Small:
Bamberg,
Germany
DeCA Overall,
First Place Stateside
Superstore: Lackland Air
Force Base, Texas
Large:
Fort Eustis, Va.
Small:
Naval Support
Facility
Dahlgren, Va.
Site Store: Fort McCoy, Wis.
DeCA Overall,
First Place Overseas
Large:
Yokota Air Base,
Japan
Small:
Naval Air Facility
Atsugi, Japan
Site Store: Camp Stanley,
South Korea
Right, barbecue rules supreme
at Dahlgren Commissary, Va.,
in this huge oasis of everything
needed for great grilling. DeCA
photo
!
Atsugi Commissary, Japan, boosted overall meat sales by 12.7
percent, and lean cut sales saw a 20-percent lift during the
contest period. DeCA photo: William Stall
Left, the meat department at Yokota
Commissary, Japan, borrowed a 1957
Chevy golf cart to illustrate gameday tailgating with old-fashioned
style. See another ingenious display
centerpiece, this one created
completely by store employees, on
Page 59. DeCA photo: William Hicks
A panel of judges evaluated
commissaries in four areas:
o Display and
merchandising,
o Consumer education
and outreach,
o Store metrics, and
o Entry presentation.
In what is planned to be an
annual competition, stores chose
a minimum two week period for
judging, June 1-Sept. 30, 2008.
Every commissary worldwide
participated.
“This new event provides a
competitive platform for meat
departments to express their
creativity in merchandising,
generating customer excitement,
increasing sales and promoting
health education through targeted
fresh meat products,” said
Randy Chandler, DeCA’s sales
director. “Informing customers
about healthy choices in the
meat department helps highlight
our role as nutritional leader
for the Department of Defense.
Superior selection, quality and
prices spanning all budgets make
DeCA’s fresh meat just one more
reason the commissary is worth
the trip.”
More photos Z
31
!
Fort Eustis Commissary, Va., showcases healthy meat selections
both in-store and during meat truckload sales. The three-day sale
during this competition period achieved sales of nearly $92,000,
setting meat sales records each day, as well as helping boost
sales by 36 percent. DeCA photo: Alzina Skinner
Left, meat manager Jerry Church, grocery
manager Jessica Pfaff and produce manager
Bob Moreno joined forces to cross-merchandise
for meat sales at Fort McCoy Commissary, Wis.
DeCA photo: Steven Brown
James Wright, meatcutter; Mark Hinkel, meat market store
associate; and Paul Limon, meatcutter, at Lackland Commissary,
Texas, not only saw overall meat sales increase nearly 13 percent,
they boosted fish sales a phenomenal 2,051 percent. DeCA photo:
Mike Mena
Camp Stanley Commissary, South Korea, which
provides customers 82 percent or more savings
on meat items, highlighted T-bone steaks for the
July Fourth holiday. DeCA photo: Jessica Crowl
32
!
outreachpros
Bonus bucks, bonus fun
Record number of participants learn benefit info, earn cash prizes
Caroline “Carrie” Williams
DeCA East Guard/Reserve
on-site sale liaison
E
ach year in May, DeCA
and a coalition of industry
partners, who are part of
the American Logistics
Association’s Consumer
Awareness Team, hold a
competition among installation
single service member programs
to see who can get the most
service members into their
respective commissaries for
educational tours.
“Commissary Awareness
Month gives us an opportunity
to connect with young service
members and introduce them
to the commissary benefit,”
said DeCA Director and Chief
Executive Officer Philip E.
Sakowitz Jr. “Single service
member program coordinators
work with store directors to
offer fun, fact-filled commissary
tours. It’s the games that bring
them in the door, but it’s the
demonstrated savings that bring
them back again.”
All programs registered to
participate and earn commissary
gift certificates. They go on to
compete for “bonus bucks” in
first, second and third prizes
within four categories: Army’s
Better Opportunities for Single
Soldiers; Single Marine; Air
Force First Term Airmen; and
Navy Liberty. First Term Airmen
centers participate through
sponsorship of their respective
family support centers.
“We are thrilled with the
results, doubling the participation
from last year,” said Kris Stranko,
CAT member and Commissary
Awareness Month chairman.
The entries were very creative,
and a lot of hard work and effort
went into organizing these
tours. In fact, we had more than
5,000 participants – up from
last year – despite massive
deployments.”
The Fort Eustis, Va.,
BOSS program won first place
for Army, while Fort Riley,
Kan., took second and White
Sands Missile Range,
N.M., third.
For the Air Force First
Term Airmen, Sheppard Air
Force Base, Texas, won first
place; Kadena Air Base,
Okinawa, took second; and
MacDill Air Force Base,
Fla., finished third.
For the Single Marine
program, Marine Corps Air
Station Cherry Point, N.C.,
won first place. Second place
went to Camp Allen, with
tours conducted at nearby
Naval Base Norfolk, Va.,
and third place to Marine
Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, Calif.
Z
First Term Airmen competitors race shopping carts at Sheppard Air Force
Base, Texas. The group won first place in its category for Commissary
Awareness Month participation. DeCA photo
33
!
Navy Liberty was well
represented by Naval Station
Whidbey Island, Wash.,
earning first place. Naval
Support Center Smokey
Point, Wash., took second place
and Naval Support Facility
Dahlgren, Va., third.
The BOSS program at Fort
Polk, La., earned honorable
mention.
The Consumer Awareness
Team provides all cash prizes and
gift certificates. CAT members
judge the entries based on
originality, presentation and
number of service member tours.
Right, Store Director Steve
Villeneuve, Fort Eustis, Va.,
explains how buying produce
locally benefits customers. Fort
Eustis won first place for Army
programs. DeCA photo:
Alzina Skinner
34
Cherry Point Commissary, N.C., more than doubled attendees this year
over last year at its 2nd Annual Italian-American Café in September,
feeding nearly 700 people. Vendors supported the free event, and base
dining hall chefs voluntarily cooked the donated food and delivered
it to the commissary. Cherry Point won first place Marine program in
Commissary Awareness Month competition. DeCA photo: Phyllis Black
!
Celebrating Native American heritage
Fort Sill Commissary hosts successful exhibition
Nancy O’Nell
I
n observance of Native
American Heritage Month,
representatives from
nine American Indian
tribes gathered at Fort Sill
Commissary, Okla., on Nov. 19
to share their heritage. Teresa
Komahcheet, a Comanche
Indian and the lead store associate
in the accounts control section,
worked with Store Director Don
Teresa Komahcheet
Johnson to organize the event.
Komahcheet aimed to recreate a typical tribal
powwow in a 90-minute exhibition. She called on
members from local tribes for assistance.
“Powwows are a community gathering — a
celebration,” explained Komahcheet, a 24-year
veteran at the Fort Sill Commissary. “In the summer,
a tribe’s annual powwow will last two or three days,
and they are normally held on the same weekend
each year. Shorter, one-day powwows are held to
honor someone who has returned from war or to
mark a special birthday or event.”
Displays, dancing, dining
Komahcheet and volunteers set up a teepee and a
display of traditional American Indian goods outside
the commissary the day before the exhibition. Twelve
dancers and two singers, who also played the drums,
arrived the following day. The dancers came from
Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Cree, Crow, Kiowa,
Navajo, Oneida and Santa Ana tribes.
One dance performed during the exhibition was
an Indian two-step. According to Komahcheet, during
the two-step, tradition calls for the female dancers
to select a male partner. Tribal dancers invited Ron
McMasters, Zone 8 manager; Robert Valles, store
administrator; James Freeman, store manager;
and Johnson to participate.
“Dancing in a Native American ceremony was
quite an emotional experience,” said McMasters.
“I was honored to have the opportunity to get a
small taste of Native American culture, observe
the immense pride in their heritage and their
enthusiasm for sharing their ethnic traditions with
the community. I was proud to be included in the
celebration and it has inspired me to learn more.”
After the exhibition, the commissary staff invited
the dancers inside for Indian tacos, fry bread and
stewed corn prepared by the staff using recipes
provided by Komahcheet.
“We achieved our purpose to recognize the
historical significance of American Indians in
Oklahoma,” said Johnson. “This was a great success
and we plan to make it an annual event.”
DeCA managers learn the Indian two-step from Comanche
Nation dancers. From front right are Don Johnson, Fort Sill
store director; with dancer Janice Wermy; Ron McMasters,
Zone 8 manager with Teresa Komahcheet, Fort Sill lead store
associate; and Sergeant Daniel Powell, an active-duty soldier
selected from the crowd, with Natalie Blackstar, a Comanche
Nation Princess. DeCA photo: Roxanne Novotny
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!
Programs spotlight special contributions, learning opportunities
N
Diverse workforce
ational Disability Employment Awareness
Month in October provided opportunities for
commissaries around the world to showcase
support of their diverse workforce. The
following are just a few of the special events held.
Lakehurst: Disability Mentoring Day
Lakehurst Commissary, N.J., participated in
Disability Mentoring Day, a program of the American
Association of People with Disabilities sponsored
by the base equal employment opportunity office.
A nationwide effort to promote career development
for students and job seekers with disabilities, job
shadowing and hands-on career exploration help
them observe a typical day on the job and prepare to
enter the workforce.
Four students spent four hours each “shadowing”
commissary employees Katina Beebe, supervisory
store associate; Frank Foran, store associate; Roger
Jeffries, general manager; and Greg Mergogey,
meatcutter. The event marked the first time the
commissary participated.
“Our participation
increased the diversity of
career field experiences
offered to the attending
students,” said Store
Director Scott Huckins.
“The event was a great
learning experience for
both the students and
commissary employees.
The students gained insight
into opportunities available
to them in the working
world. We look forward to
participating again next year.”
Bitburg, Spangdahlem:
diversity honor
Spangdahlem Air Base,
Germany, selected two
commissary employees
as the first two recipients
of its Diversity Award
in October: Ernestina
Vasquez, store director at
Bitburg Commissary,
and George Mann, store
manager at Spangdahlem
Commissary.
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The award recognizes those who actively
and consistently support cultural awareness and
understanding.
Bitburg Commissary received praise for having
its own multicultural awareness committee. In
addition to nine observances mandated by the
Department of Defense, Bitburg highlighted the
German and Italian cultures with displays of
personal keepsakes or items on loan from friends and
neighbors.
“Diversity is the cornerstone of a productive
workforce and should be embraced by managers at
all levels,” said Vasquez. “Today’s workforce offers us
the opportunity to work with so many employees of
different cultural backgrounds. To me, this is such a
wonderful learning experience!”
Spangdahlem Commissary helped sponsor food
tastings and other community events, but Mann also
contributed personal funds to ensure success. He
said he was surprised and honored, and he feels great
about the award.
“Without diversity, we
would lack understanding,”
said Mann, “and without
understanding, we lack
compassion and the ability
to do our job effectively.”
Base cultural committee member Evelyn
Shephard and her daughter, Air Force Staff Sgt.
Mignon Miller, serve down-home cooking at
Bitburg Commissary, Germany, during one of its
special events for Black History Month 2008.
About 500 customers sampled the food and
took home recipes. DeCA photo: Jesse Anderson
III
Sagamihara: staff salute
The staff at
Sagamihara
Commissary, Japan, held
an informal get-together in
appreciation of its diversity
in October.
“We have two very
important team members
with disabilities, so we took
some time to recognize the
important contributions
they have made,” said Alex
King, store administrator.
Chang Akana,
ID checker, started his
career at the store in 1981,
and Andrew Burnett
volunteers at both
Sagamihara and Camp Zama
commissaries, cleaning
shelves and rotating
product.
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The world's best customers salute the world's best employees
Wright-Patterson
Thanks for the outstanding job done by everyone at
Wright-Patterson Commissary, Ohio. While on
temporary duty there for two weeks, I prepared a
large consumables shipment for $4,200. Everyone
went well above the norm to assist me with a smile,
offering whatever help they could. I have been in
the Army 23 years, have moved 20 times, and have
visited commissaries around the world hundreds of
times, but I have never been treated as well as I have
by your team. Well done!
Lt. Col. Matt Battiston
U.S. Air Force
Bangor
My compliments to Colleen
Wilhite, storeworker at
Bangor Commissary, Wash.
Whenever I have a problem or
question while shopping, Ms.
Wilhite stops whatever she is
doing and immediately provides
the information desired, in the
most pleasant manner. She has
the capabilities, patience and
Colleen Wilhite
personality in dealing with
customers that any organization
would desire in a manager. She is an exceptional
employee who deserves recognition.
Lt. Cmdr. Robert Borges, retired
U.S. Navy
Lakenheath
I want to let you know about the wonderful
customer service I received in the bakery at
Lakenheath Commissary, England. I contacted
Susan DeLeon, bakery manager, about a lastminute cake order. She told me she would try to get
it done, but she had more than 20 cake orders to
Susan DeLeon
work on. Then when I brought in
the picture to put on the cake, the
scanner wasn’t working, so she
could not guarantee it could be
done. I was pleasantly surprised
when, at the time agreed upon,
my cake was ready and looked
great! She went that extra mile to
help me with a late request. Great
customer service!
Dolores Reed
Annapolis
My husband left his bank card in the automated
teller machine just outside the Annapolis
Commissary, Md. A customer turned it in at the
customer service desk where cashier Lindsay
Woolford was working. She immediately tracked
us down and turned the card over to my husband.
He was very grateful, and Lindsay’s quick thinking
saved us from a stressful evening of trying to locate
the ATM card. Most people would just leave it in the
cash cage, but she went the extra mile to find us in
the store. Thank you, Lindsay.
Terri and Brian Paukert
Kaneohe Bay
I have shopped in commissaries for more years than
I care to recollect, in many countries, operated by
different military services, but I haven’t ever had
the pleasure of meeting a more dedicated employee
as Danalynn Kepaa, store associate at Kaneohe
Bay Commissary, Hawaii. She is always cheerful
and greets everyone with a beaming smile. She
is always pleasant and goes out of her way to be
Z
(Editor’s note: Letters are edited for length and clarity.)
37
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Mail
helpful. I am a 100 percent disabled veteran who
despises shopping, but Danalynn helps make it a
treat rather than a chore. She is a definite asset
to the commissary and should be rewarded for
her devotion and outstanding performance of her
duties.
Chief Warrant Officer Kedon You, retired
U.S. Army
Scott
While shopping at Scott Commissary, Ill., I
watched one of your contract deli personnel assist a
customer while I was being served. The lady wanted
a particular cheese. When Derrick Blacketter told
her the different varieties, she seemed overwhelmed.
He described the flavor for each and asked if that
was the taste she was going for. He then narrowed
it down to two and let her taste them; then she
made her decision. I compliment him because he
was patient and knows what he is selling. He cares
– something rare in many stores.
Anonymous
Yokota
I wholeheartedly thank the management at
Yokota Commissary, Japan, and everyone
involved in sending care packages to Yokota
airmen downrange. I was deployed to Iraq for six
months along with a large number of airmen from
Yokota. The commissary led the charge in mailing
“a taste of Japan” to us. It was a great feeling to see
these items delivered to our airmen. They were far
away from home, but it was good to see and know
that others were thinking of them. Thank you,
Yokota Commissary, for your kindness and going
the extra mile.
Chief Master Sgt. Clifton Cole
U.S. Air Force
Lajes
Lajes Commissary, Portugal, is a phenomenal
store with an awesome staff – the best I have seen
in my 18 years in the Air Force. Thank you so
much.
Col. A.A. Edward
U.S. Air Force
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Dahlgren
Wow! Other commercial stores should tour
the Dahlgren Commissary, Va., to see how
a store should be run. It’s always clean and
well-stocked, and customer service provided
by all hands. I am so proud to have access to
this store and benefit every shopping day from
the excellent products and friendly assistance.
The store is small, but a true diamond. I
would especially like to thank Walter Ford,
meat manager, and Theresa Baker, grocery
department, for their professionalism, dedication
and pride of ownership. Thank you for having such
a great store and great employees to service both
the active-duty families and us who are retired.
Well done to all hands!
Capt. James Graham, retired
U.S. Navy
Chievres
I’m leaving Chievres, Belgium,
after being stationed here for
five years. I have seen many
great changes in Chievres
Commissary since Store
Director James Hayden
arrived. He is so efficient
and professional, with great
customer service. I must also
James Hayden
mention some cashiers – Carine
Guilbert, Tania Rousseau
and Cheryl Lee Best – for such wonderful
customer service. The store is always so clean and
well-stocked, and the workers are so kind and
helpful. I feel I’m leaving friends behind, not DeCA
employees. Thanks for hiring this caliber of people.
Senior Chief Petty Officer James Deniham
U.S. Navy
Kunsan
I contacted Store Manager Michael Durrence,
Kunsan Commissary, South Korea, because my
fiancé is deployed and I wanted to see if I could get
him a cake. There is no bakery at the commissary,
so Michael had one made at Osan Commissary,
South Korea, and hand delivered it to Kunsan Air
Base. He had it decorated how I wanted it, made
a banner, and took photos for me at the party. He
went above and beyond to make my fiancé’s 40th
birthday something he will never forget. I can’t tell
you how grateful I am. He is fabulous, and if all his
customer service is this impeccable, you have one
fabulous employee. I have thanked Michael many
times, but he seriously deserves it again: Thank you!
Janet Waggoner
!
Moody
Pamela Eddington, cashier at Moody
Commissary, Ga., kept her line open for me to
check out, even though it was her break time. The
register light was off, and I asked if she would ring
me up, and she did. She has a positive and can-do,
will-do attitude for commissary patrons. I think this
reflects the overall attitude of Moody Commissary
employees. It’s a joy to shop there.
Chief Master Sgt. Roland Medeus, retired
U.S. Air Force
Camp Casey
I thank the entire team at Camp Casey
Commissary, South Korea, for the courtesy,
helpfulness and professionalism demonstrated by
the baggers, cashiers, stockers and management.
I’m especially appreciative of the courtesy,
professionalism and dedication of the Korean
nationals who are part of the Camp Casey
Commissary team, to include the always respectful,
courteous and efficient baggers and the hard-working
stockers. Camp Casey always sets the standard by
which I judge all other commissaries, both overseas
and stateside.
Maj. Dan Zahody, retired
U.S. Army
Fort Belvoir
I was very impressed with Fort
Belvoir Commissary, Va., Store
Administrator Raymond Lane’s
professionalism and followthrough on a suggestion from my
wife regarding store layout. Mr.
Lane contacted my wife after duty
hours to get further information
and discuss potential fixes. When I
Raymond Lane
later spoke to him about the extra
effort he made to ensure customer
satisfaction, it was clear that he takes great pride
in ensuring that the commissary meets very high
standards of service to its customers. I commend Mr.
Lane for the superb job he does.
John Everson
Yokosuka
Thank you to Store Director Totolua Ripley at
Yokosuka Commissary, Japan, for locating my
son’s lost toy. He went above and beyond for such
a little thing, but it was such a big thing to my son.
Thank you for caring and following through.
Lauren Shedd
for finding my purse in a shopping cart in the parking
lot and turning it in. I didn’t realize it was missing
until I was called that evening to tell me my purse
was at the store, intact. I can’t imagine the anguish
and distress I would have endured if my purse were
not found by honest Katie.
Bette Paquitto
Bitburg
I ordered a fruit tray from the produce department
at Bitburg Commissary, Germany, and was very
pleased with it. The fruit selection was colorful; the
fruit itself was tasty; and the price was unbeatable.
My order was taken by one employee and given to me
by another – both were professional and very nice. I
will definitely keep the commissary fruit and veggie
trays in mind when planning future get-togethers.
Jan Wyatt
Dyess
Please convey our thanks to General Manager Penny
Singleton at Dyess Commissary, Texas, for the
great service she has afforded us. Twice now, she
has made sure we have the products we want and
has gone out of her way to save items for us. We
appreciate her good work and hope there is some way
you can materially recognize her contributions in the
commissary during this difficult time of remodeling.
(The $13.6 million construction project nears
completion, with a grand reopening set for April 21.)
Maj. Curtis Godfrey, retired
U.S. Air Force
Garmisch
Garmisch Commissary, Germany, is the best
commissary, hands down. There’s always good
customer service and you have a great group of
people working there. If there’s a product they don’t
have, they are always willing to get the items. I have
lived in Garmisch for the past two years and cannot
recall one time that I have gotten anything but the
best service. Kudos to all the employees!
Jennifer Donnelly
Vandenberg
General Manager Douglas Fellows, Vandenberg
Commissary, Calif., always greets us retired folks
at the entrance with a happy, friendly, funny, caring
personality. Thank you for being there for us. By the
way, I like the new sign over the store entrance: “The
commissary – it’s worth the trip.” Yes, it is worth the
trip, especially when you live on a fixed income.
Z
Ali Anderson
Camp Lejeune
Kudos to Katie Dubbs, cashier at Camp Lejeune
Commissary, N.C. I appreciate her genuine honesty
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New Orleans
A month ago, the day before going
to the hospital, I went to New
Orleans Commissary, La.
Veronica White was the cashier.
She smiled, and for some reason,
I told her I was afraid of what
tomorrow would bring. She told
me she had the same test and I
would do just fine. She took a few
moments to talk to me, when most Veronica White
people will not give you the time
of day. Today was the first day I’ve seen her again,
and I thanked her. I told her how much it meant to
have just one person who did not know me offer me
words and thoughts of goodwill. Thank you to the
commissary for all it does for our military and retired
families. Even though I already told Ms. White,
“Thank you, again. I will remember you.”
Susan Gossiaux
Sembach
The entire staff at Sembach Commissary,
Germany, did a great job supporting our Boy Scout
national youth leadership course. They allowed us
to purchase items daily, even on days the store was
closed, and use the warehouse and freezers to store
purchased food. Their help was invaluable, one
reason for the course’s success and staying within
the budget.
Paul McLaughlin
March
During my shopping visit to March Commissary,
Calif., I had the pleasure to be checked out by Victor
Freeman. Victor demonstrated that he is a true
professional and is there to make the commissary
customers as comfortable as possible. He is truly an
asset to your agency. Please convey our appreciation
to him.
Master Sgt. and Mrs. José Lopez-Tolentino, retired
U.S. Air Force
Little Rock
My wife made it home minus a few bags of
groceries that the bagger missed at Little
Rock Commissary, Ark. She contacted
store personnel who told her to mark the
missing items on the receipt and bring it back
for replacements. This duty fell to me, and I
wondered how I would get this done with just
the descriptions on the receipt. Teller Naomi
Johnson went through the store with me,
found every item, and was so helpful to me. I
didn’t expect to get those items replaced, let alone
get the great help that I needed. Being retired for 10
years and receiving this type of service made me feel
I was still part of the Air Force team. Thanks for the
great service and the wonderful staff at Little Rock
Commissary.
Tech. Sgt. Steve Schade, retired
U.S. Air Force
Orote
Normally, 72 hours notice is requested for produce,
veggie and fruit trays at Orote Commissary,
Guam, and signage is posted to that effect. I called
at 2 p.m., told them I had an emergency request,
and my large veggie tray was ready by 5 p.m.! Thank
you, thank you, thank you!
Tech. Sgt. Kenny Fitzpatrick
U.S. Air Force
Fort Bragg South
I was at Fort Bragg, N.C., to attend a class. I had
been in class all day after an exhausting weekend of
work and travel, and I fell asleep. When I awoke, I
was afraid I would miss shopping at the commissary
and have to eat out again. I came into the
commissary at 8:50 p.m., and when I approached
the deli, Eddie Jackson promptly asked how he
could help, and he took my order. I noticed he began
to reassemble the slicer. Feeling guilty, I retracted
my order, but he assured me it was no problem.
He continued to complete my order with a sense of
humor and positive attitude. Even though he had
already broken down the slicer and was cleaning the
deli, he took personal pride in his job and created
a very happy customer! People like Eddie will keep
the traffic flowing through your doors. By the way, I
used to be an assistant customer service manager in
a major grocery store, so I know what good service
looks like. Eddie is a valuable asset to your agency.
Sgt. Amy O’Brien
U.S. Army
Fort Carson
My wife and I attended Retiree Day at Fort Carson,
Colo., then we went to the commissary to do some
shopping. As we entered the store, we were pleasantly
40
!
surprised to be invited for a retiree brunch from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. We were ushered into a large break
room where tables with tablecloths were set up. The
menu included scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hash
browns, salsa, bagels and cream cheese, pineapple,
and strawberries. Someone’s son waited the tables
to get refills and anything else we needed. Everyone
was happy and enjoying the occasion, and it was
contagious. We have been to a number of Retiree
Days, but this was a first. It was nice to eat and then
do our shopping. We complimented the staff, and you
should be as proud of them as we are.
Ed Rodenbeck Jr.
She addresses me personally when she sees me. I go
out of my way to look for her as my cashier. This is
the kind of person people look forward to spending
those mundane moments with at the register. She
always has a smile on her face, and it’s a pleasure to
talk to her for those brief moments.
Christy Duffey
Ellsworth
Bangor
John Reed, storeworker at Bangor Commissary,
Maine, is one of your best employees. He really
makes sure I get all the help I need. He tries to help
me in any way he can, and when one is disabled as
I am, that’s important. He is a very kind man, and
there ought to be more people like him. John is a
great asset to you and the service you provide. You’re
doing a great job, John. Keep on keeping on!
Sgt. Maynard Bradley, retired
Fort Hood I
Today, I was truly blessed when I met Mary Kight,
supply manager at Fort Hood I Commissary,
Texas. Our family had been going through financial
hardships, while at the same time, my husband
had been hospitalized. James Kissia Jr., grocery
manager, and Mary came through for us when we
had nobody to turn to. Out of the kindness of their
hearts, they provided us with the assets to buy our
family some food. We had been going to food banks,
and people were giving us their old food. Thank you
for having such wonderful people working for you.
You all inspired us to take that extra step of faith
when we were at the edge of losing it. I pray you
acknowledge these wonderful souls for giving us a
little bit of help when we needed it the most.
Name withheld
Grafenwoehr
First of all, Grafenwoehr Commissary, Germany,
looks great. I love the tower display at the entrance of
the produce department. Tammy King, sales store
technician, is a wonderful, delightful person. She’s
friendly and very much a people person. I see her talk
to everyone, and she made a point to get to know me.
Koitisha Funches
I observed Koitisha Funches,
store associate, helping an elderly
lady in the self-checkout line at
Ellsworth Commissary, S.D. I
have been going to commissaries
for about 50 years, and I have
never seen a more helpful,
professional and kind person
than Tish. She made me proud to
be an American and know there
are beautiful people working at
my commissary.
Phil Lynch
Fort Leonard Wood
At the Fort Leonard Wood Commissary, Mo.,
tent sale, Becky Snipes, computer-assisted ordering
specialist, came up with the idea to put universal
product codes on the order sheets for the sale. This
greatly sped up the checkout time as well as the
accuracy of products sold and prices. She cut out and
copied the UPC codes at work and on her own time
to enable the customers as well as store personnel to
benefit from this simple change in procedure. Kudos
to her for thinking of this and for taking her time to
make this tent sale a better experience for customers
and her store.
Susan Boies
Gunter
A hearty thank you and well done to grocery manager
Marisol Hennessey and storeworkers Carol
Conner, Cynthia Owens and Chris Watts at
Gunter Commissary, Ala. They have been gracious
and helpful to provide 300-400 used egg crates to
be packed with gifts to be shipped to the poor in
Panama. Gunter Commissary has helped in this way
for many years, but this year was a cliffhanger. The
store was going through a reset in August, and they
needed all of the egg crates from May through July to
use during the event (loading the crates with items as
the shelves are cleared.) Thanks to kind attention in
preserving the crates, we were still able to use them
for our 2008 shipment. I know the reset was a lot of
hard work in a very short time, and that it was a great
success. Thank you!
Chief Master Sgt. Tommie Pruitt, retired
U.S. Air Force
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New London
My wife recently had knee surgery,
and a trip to New London
Commissary, Conn., was her first
attempt to walk any distance. We
were not aware that the store had
handicap carts, so she leaned on
our grocery cart for support. By the
fourth aisle, she was experiencing
pain and sat down. Richard
Biondo, store administrator,
happened to walk by, saw her and
Hanscom
asked if she was OK. He then offered to get her a cart.
I manage several morale, welfare and recreation
He brought it over and explained how to use it. I was
events annually at Hanscom Air Force Base,
impressed with his courtesy and service. Thank you
Mass. In addition to relying on the commissary
so much for having such a valuable employee.
for personal needs, I depend on it to source large
Lt. Peter Kolasa
volumes of quality, reasonably priced rations for
U.S. Navy
Oktoberfest, Summer Bash, Sports Day and other
Los Angeles
occasions. While the overall support is always good,
We are grateful for and proud of our Los Angeles
the support from the deli staff is exceptional. Year
Commissary, Calif. The staff caters to us and makes
after year, even when I am less than organized and
us feel appreciated and welcome. We shop at least
not so timely with my order, they go well beyond the
weekly and spend about $900 to $1,000 a month.
standard. They are true enablers for the high quality
I’m legally blind and navigate with a white cane,
of life we strive to offer the Hanscom community. I
and we are in our mid-60s. Most employees cannot
can’t thank them enough. This gratitude is not just
do enough for us; they recognize us and cheerfully
for when I buy 1,000 sausages; it extends to when
drop what they are doing to help us. They bag and
I buy six for my family. They are always the best!
haul our groceries to our car and pack the car neatly
Thank you for having them be part of my commissary
experience.
and professionally, all with a positive attitude. They
Maj. Kevin Kaminski
all richly earn and deserve their gratuities. No one
shows us any negative attitude or lousy work ethic.
U.S. Air Force
We have been regularly shopping this commissary
for many years, and the current management seems
Fort Riley
to be the best and most concerned ever for customer
Storeworker Teresa Nash at Fort Riley
satisfaction and appreciation. Thanks, DeCA, for an
Commissary, Kan., has always been a great help
outstanding operation to help enrich our retired lives.
to me and other customers. Her warm, helpful
Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen and
personality in the produce department is an addition
to the store. On numerous occasions, she has helped
Shirley Long, retired
me get the freshest vegetables in the store. She goes
U.S. Navy
beyond the call of duty in making sure the customers
Ramstein
get great quality service. It’s always a pleasure seeing
I went to the Ramstein
her – she is an asset to our store.
Commissary, Germany, about
Lisa Ramsey
a week or so ago, and the service
Heidelberg
I received was great. It was very
I commend Orion Sharpsteen, storeworker
busy, and I was having the worst
at Heidelberg Commissary, Germany, for all
possible day. I came in to get some
his help. On several occasions, I requested his
rotisserie chicken because I didn’t
help and he was willing to assist me on every one
feel like cooking – but the store
of my requests. His customer service is highly
was out of rotisserie chicken. I was
Alisa Foster
appreciated. His professionalism is outstanding, and
so mad I could have cried. I was
his willingness to help the customer rates an A+.
leaving when bakery employee Alisa
Congratulations!
Foster, carrying three or four trays of cookies, came
Silveria Meeker
around the corner with a huge smile on her face. To
my surprise, she said I looked a little lost and asked
if I needed help. I snapped at her for not having any
Mail
42
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chickens. She didn’t make a face or show that she
was mad; she actually gave me other options. She
said she knows what it’s like to have a day when you
just don’t want to cook. She recommended I get a
bag of salad, some of her baguette rolls, and some
precooked shrimp. She even told me what salad
dressing to get. She said it would take the same
amount of time to put these few ingredients in a bowl
as it would to warm the chicken I wanted. She was so
kind and helpful that I decided to do it. Thank you so
much. It was incredible, and my husband and I loved
it. We have had it three times since that night. This
is the type of service that is lacking in so many other
stores. I am very pleased!
Maggie Sanders
Malmstrom
The case lot sale at Malmstrom Commissary,
Mont., was great! All the cashiers were so patient
with all the coupons; the employees were so eager
to help us all save money and get what we needed,
while controlling the mass of people. Thanks for
making it a great experience.
Lacie Clark
Keesler
Even though it’s small, Keesler Commissary,
Miss., is a wonderful place for retired people like me.
I come down here every couple of months and love
the kind people who work here. Today, I had a very
kind cashier, Renee Crawford, help me shop for
items I needed. I went back to her to check out, and
she even helped me with my check and did it with a
kind smile and a thank you. It is so heartwarming to
see there is such a thing as customer service today.
Keep up the good work and give her another hug
from me.
Brenda Calumet
Peterson
Inadvertently, my portable oxygen
tank was still connected to the
electric mobile cart when my
son and I finished shopping at
Peterson Commissary, Colo.
It wasn’t until the next day that
I discovered the tank missing. I
called the commissary, fearful
I wouldn’t find it and would
have to pay about $2,000 for
Gloria Lumives
the equipment. Teller Gloria
Lumives and her husband delivered the tank to my
home in Colorado Springs. What a relief, and what a
special service! I cannot drive and depend on my son
to take me to the commissary. I truly appreciate my
military benefits earned for me by my late husband,
Lt. Col. George Schroeder, U.S. Army.
Betty Schroeder
Shaw
After shopping at Shaw
Commissary, S.C., I went to
my car and it wouldn’t start. A
couple of people tried to jumpstart it, to no avail. Barbara
Matta, lead sales store checker,
made a phone call for help but
no one would come, so she
organized my solution. She got
my perishable groceries back into
Joey Autry
the commissary cooler. Then Joey
Autry, store administrator, took me to an auto parts
store to buy a new battery. Mr. Autry took out the
old battery and installed the new one using his tools.
I was more than taken care of – way over the top!
By the way, I am disabled and on oxygen. I cannot
compliment Ms. Matta and Mr. Autry enough.
Col. Bart Heyward, retired
U.S. Army
McChord
I thank Margaret Birnie, assistant customer
service manager, and vendor Pam Bolan for their
care and concern when I became very ill while
shopping at McChord Commissary, Wash. I had
just come from a medical appointment and had taken
a new pain medication that was too strong for me
and caused a number of ill effects. Pam paged my
husband, brought me cold compresses and alerted
Margaret, who offered to call an ambulance, got a
wheelchair and stayed with me until my husband
arrived. Thank you so very much to Pam and
Margaret. I sincerely appreciated their much-needed
help at that time.
Marilyn Quinn
Vincenza
I have been a regular patron at Vicenza
Commissary, Italy, for five years. Although I always
receive prompt, friendly service, I was pleasantly
surprised today when cashier Stefania Rigoto
assisted me. This friendly woman went out of her way
to make sure I was a satisfied customer. Please praise
her for her exceptional customer service. Keep up the
good work.
Gary Johnson
Walter Reed
Seldom have I encountered a person as effective and
dedicated to assisting others as Zelma Couser,
customer service manager at Walter Reed
Z
43
You've got ...
Mail
Commissary, Md. As a hands-on supervisor,
she guides those around her. She is a motivational
person who takes pride in herself and what she
does. She knows practically every customer by name
and cheerfully greets us by asking how we are and
how she can be of assistance, making customers
feel welcome. Ms. Couser is highly visible and not
one to hide in her office. On several occasions, she
personally saw to it that our special requests were
taken care of promptly, followed up by a phone call.
Her presence contributes a good deal of stability
to the constant activity at the commissary. Please
convey our appreciation for her efforts on behalf of
her customers. She deserves an A+ and a gold star!
John Coulehan
Holloman
About six months ago, I met
Connie Hoey, store associate at
Holloman Commissary, N.M.
She greeted me and asked if she
could be of any help. We talked for
a few minutes, but in that time,
I found out what a caring person
she is. Every week when I shop,
she always greets me and asks to
be of assistance. She told me she
Connie Hoey
enjoys working there and works
with such a nice group of people. She should be
recognized for doing an outstanding job and serving
military families.
Rita Smith
Newport
I have commended a number of employees at
Newport Commissary, R.I., over the years but
now would like to do so more formally for cashiers
Sue Piekarski and Lorraine Norell, cashier
supervisor Diane Saez, Arthur David in produce,
and Steve Furtado, store administrator.
o Sue has been so helpful and is one of the nicest
persons I have ever met. She is quick to notice
when I’m having a difficult day health wise – I’m
a 100-percent disabled veteran – and without
44
fuss or calling attention to my disability, helps
me empty my shopping cart. She is so quick
and efficient on the register and directs the
baggers in the best way to sort my items. That
makes it so much easier to put them away
when I get home. She makes my commissary
shopping experience a pleasure.
o I’m always happy to see Lorraine and even
happier when she calls me to her register.
She always tries to help me load the belt with
my groceries. I shoo her away if it’s a good day
and am very grateful to her if it’s a bad day. She
always fills me in on the specials and gives me
ideas and recipes while quickly and efficiently
scanning my items. She has introduced me to her
three children, and they are a credit to her – a
wonderful person and mother.
o Diane is a model of energy and efficiency. She
moves quickly and seems to handle three things
at once while moving to take care of a fourth!
She is quick to run a register to ensure prompt
checkout on a busy shopping day. She has been
very helpful to me.
o Arthur greets me without fail on my visits to
the commissary. He recommends good buys and
especially nice shipments of produce. I have seen
him many times working hard to attractively
display his product, and he is diligent in checking
expiration dates. His attention to his duties make
my shopping experience a much better excursion.
o Mr. Furtado works very hard to ensure displays
are arranged nicely, well-stocked, and located
where common items are. He can always direct
me to an item and accompanies me to make sure I
find it. He will produce a brand for you or suggest
an appropriate substitute, and he always makes a
note of your request then gets back to you during
your next visit. An added plus is his willingness
to chat football with me while helping me find an
item. He is wonderful. Thank you!
Kathleen Trombley
Schofield Barracks
I thank store associates Regina Jordan and Rachel
Ramelb at Schofield Barracks Commissary,
Hawaii, for helping me at the self-checkout line on
several occasions. Regina is extremely friendly and
courteous. She made an extra effort in helping me,
and she was professional and pleasant. Her attitude
is very much appreciated. Rachel made sure I didn’t
have any problems and was more than happy to assist
me with the entire checkout process. On another
visit, she was not working at self-checkout but
!
Grand old
heritage
Keith Pollanen,
supervisory store
associate at Fort
Myer Commissary,
Va., created a display
honoring DeCA’s 17th
anniversary in October.
He drew from his
personal collection
of historical pictures,
patches and military
insignias from as far
back as 1825. Pictured
here are past and
present commissary
system patches. While
visiting the store,
DeCA East Director
Mike Dowling awarded
a director’s coin to
Pollanen for his work on
the display. DeCA photo:
Keith Pollanen
noticed I was using it and came by to say hello. It’s
always nice to shop here because there are so many
helpful, friendly team members. Please thank Regina
and Rachel for doing a great job.
Jenn DeBellis
Fort Myer
The customer service and support provided by
the employees in the meat department at Fort
Myer Commissary, Va., is simply outstanding. I
frequently call and ask for special cuts of meat – they
always do a great job and go out of their way to
make sure everything is exactly as I have requested.
It is a pleasure shopping in this department.
From answering questions to having my order
right and ready on time, all these employees make
certain everything is right. They are friendly, very
knowledgeable, and always focused on the customer,
and it makes you want to shop there.
Gordon Call
Davis-Monthan
I want to recognize the recent efforts of Imelda
Williams, sales store checker, in the self-checkout
lanes at Davis-Monthan Commissary, Ariz. Eight
self-checkout registers were operating, and Imelda
was handling all of them herself. Her hustle while
checking IDs, entering coupons the system didn’t
recognize, helping people scan produce, and more,
was outstanding. Her effectiveness certainly helped
prevent a backlog. (As I was departing, another
checker arrived to help.) Please let Imelda know that
her work is appreciated.
Maj. Tom Bredwell, retired
U.S. Air Force
Sugar Grove
I waited a couple of months to see if I remained as
impressed with Sugar Grove Commissary, W.Va.,
as I was during our first visit in September. Once
we let it “age,” my wife and I realized how far Beth
Holden, store administrator, goes to satisfy our
shopping needs. We travel about two and a half hours
to Sugar Grove, and I must say it is worth the trip.
Mrs. Holden graciously answered all my questions
via phone in September, and with gas nearly $4
a gallon at the time, it had to be economically
advantageous. Mrs. Holden saved us money and
special ordered products we cannot purchase locally.
So, after considering all things about the commissary,
my thanks and a “done good” for an attractive, clean,
easy-to-shop experience.
Tom Danek
45
!
getsmart
Strategic
Plan 101
Stay
on target
with DeCA’s
strategic plan by
using this primer
on what’s hot
D
eCA is working
toward developing
a new strategic plan
for 2009 to 2015,
but have no fear: The “old” plan
remains viable.
The document can be found
on OneNet at https://www.
commissaries.com/employees/
home.htm, then Our Agency.
This “snapshot” document links
objectives and actions to the
agency’s budget via the Program
Objective Memorandum, referred
to as the POM.
Vision reviewed two of
the three agency goals in the
strategic plan in previous issues,
completing the overview now with
Goal 3.
If there’s one word that
summarizes the four strategies
established for achieving this goal,
it’s “planning.”
Strategy 1. Achieve a
strategically focused corporation
that links planning, investment,
46
performance and
accountability,
through the use of
disciplined decisionmaking techniques.
•
•
Early and wellresearched planning
activities draw
increased focus.
The strategic plan
itself represents a roadmap
keeping the agency focused
on its goals.
All activities remain centered
on a business model, seeking
continued strengthening of
how we prioritize and spend
our resources.
•
Targets are being developed
to help us focus, and our
Enterprise Performance
Reviews monitor agency
progress in accomplishing its
goals.
Goal 3:
Maintain and communicate the relevance of the
commissary benefit through constant innovation
and by strengthening our internal governance..
!
Strategy 2. Achieve an
optimal organizational
framework with
streamlined processes
and maximized use
of technological
opportunities.
• Accurate data, that
can be shared and is
readily available, will
be useful in making
corporate business
decisions.
• This strategy will
help us continue to
improve business
processes, striving to
remove non-valueadded activities. For
example, self-checkout
counters represent
an improved service
to patrons reflecting
Strategy 2.
• The focus of this
strategy also supports
the most effective use
of our resources and
investments.
Strategy 3. Continue
implementation of sound
financial management and
internal controls.
Annette Corsey, store administrator; Judy Nealis, customer service manager;
The agency’s latest
and Nina Smith and Princess Jarrell, customer service team members at
clean audit opinion
Travis Commissary, Calif., greet customers at the self-checkout registers.
is but one notable
Jarrell designed the display booth in support of the “Every Day is Mom’s Day”
accomplishment in this
area. Only five Department campaign, one of several campaigns aimed at informing customers about their
commissary benefit. DeCA photo: Rommel Castro
of Defense
organizations
achieved this.
the agency’s mission success and
DeCA’s home economist and
DeCA remains
protection of the benefit.
dietician each provide healthy
one of only
eating information in a variety
four
Strategy 4. Communicate
of formats, all emphasizing the
the value of the commissary
commissary’s role in buying
benefit as well as our
healthy food at significant
DoD
effectiveness in delivering it to
savings.
activities
the customers.
with seven
Examples of this include
This concludes an overview
consecutive clean audit
the Office of Corporate
of agency goals, and strategies to
opinions.
Communications’ marketing
achieve those goals. Watch for
In support of this strategy,
team launching worldwide patron
news on the updated plan later
new awareness and training
campaigns including “Discover
this year to ensure you stay on
programs should make their
Your Benefit,” “The Commissary
track in delivering a premier
debut soon to show how every
– It’s Worth the Trip,” and the
benefit to our customers.
employee’s performance ties to
new “Every Day is Mom’s Day.”
47
!
<ofthebenefit
‘Heart of the Benefit’ celebrates the
Aurora ‘Myrna’
winning work philosophies of three
outstanding DeCA team members.
Pascua
El Centro Commissary, Calif.
What do you like best about your job as a sales store
clerk in produce?
That I am able to provide a high level of customer
service to all our active-duty, Reserve and retired
patrons. I do this by listening carefully to their
requests and fulfilling their needs. I also enjoy
meeting and talking with the diverse range of people
who visit our store on a regular basis.
How do you help create “raving fans”?
My contribution to raving fans is first and foremost
being at my job on time with a positive attitude and a
willingness to do my part to make the team a success.
I am eager to assist other team members when I am
able so our store remains well-organized and userfriendly. I believe wholeheartedly in Ken Blanchard’s
philosophy of raving fans: “Just having satisfied
customers isn’t good enough anymore. If you really
want a booming business, you have to create raving
Ms. Pascua is a valued employee who
truly cares about her customers. She
demonstrates teamwork and customer
focus every day. When shoppers walk
down her produce aisle, they are
enticed by the colors and attractive
displays and usually purchase more
than what is on their shopping list. She
always cuts up fruits and vegetables
for customers to sample and goes to
no end to fill special orders.
Velma Siler
Store director
fans.” We create raving fans at El Centro by fulfilling
our customers’ needs. When our customers request
an item, we get the product for them, if necessary by
driving to another commissary to get it.
What’s your professional history?
I began my career in morale, welfare and recreation
as a food service worker at the Naval Air Facility El
Centro Officers Club and was soon promoted to cook.
I’m a military spouse and my family moved frequently.
Before beginning at the commissary, I worked as a
cook and waitress at the officers club at Misawa Air
Base, Japan; as a cook at Naval Facility Centerville
Beach, Calif.; and as a waitress at El Centro. I began
with DeCA in 1995 as a cashier at El Centro.
What are your professional goals?
My immediate goal is to become a produce manager in
a DeCA commissary in Southern California or Hawaii.
As a long-term goal, I would like to participate in the
DeCA management trainee program.
Aurora “Myrna” Pascua
48
DeCA photo: Marnitta Pavao
Who influenced your career most?
The person who has had the most influence on me is
Store Director Velma Siler. Ms. Siler has worked
as a produce manager and has always been willing
to impart information and training to mold me into
an excellent produce worker. Ms. Siler is constantly
broadening my knowledge of the entire produce
operation by sharing her knowledge.
!
Edyta Verdejo
Heidelberg Commissary, Germany
What do like best about your job as food service
worker leader?
The ability to be creative. About a month ago, I
introduced different varieties of wraps and kids’
grab-and-go packs that include a small sandwich,
drink pouch, small bag of chips and a cookie. I love to
prepare them early in the morning with my team and
see them sell quickly in the early hours of the day.
They are so successful we have to replenish them two
to three times before lunch.
I simply follow DeCA’s six articles of customer
service: professional, courteous service; a
clean, pleasant department; fresh, high-quality
merchandise; well-stocked shelves; the best possible
prices; and quick, efficient service.
What’s your professional history?
I entered the U.S. Army in 1996 in Hanau, Germany,
and left the service in 2004 in Darmstadt, Germany.
During that time, I served as an automated
logistical specialist. Shortly after, I started working
in the Darmstadt Commissary as a part-time
storeworker. Within six months, I was converted to
lead cashier. In 2005, I was promoted to night shift
supervisor. From 2005 until closure of Darmstadt
Commissary, I was detailed to various positions at the
store, including grocery manager, produce manager
and scanning coordinator. After closure in August
2008, I was transferred to the Heidelberg Commissary
and, in September, selected as deli-bakery manager.
Ms. Verdejo’s customer service skills are
greatly admired by all of our customers.
She always greets them with a smile
and genuine concern. When she asks,
“How are you today?” she really wants to
know. You can’t help but walk away with a
smile. I have seen her pay for the balance
of a customer’s grocery bill when the
customer came up short. She has driven
customers home on her lunch hour so
they would not have to wait for the shuttle
bus.
Gabriel Lugo
Store director
Edyta Verdejo
What are your professional goals?
I would like to enhance my knowledge in the
deli-bakery department for better service to the
customers. This is just another step toward my goal
of becoming a store director. Throughout my career
in DeCA I have heard many stories of how successful
people have become, even starting as a cashier. I
have been taught that some of the fundamentals of
being successful are: “Take care of your customers
or someone else will take care of them for you,”
“Employees are our biggest assets,” and “Always
present a clean, well-stocked, customer-friendly
store.” I know if I keep following these fundamentals,
I will achieve my goals.
Gabriel Lugo was store director in Darmstadt and
now in Heidelberg. His incredible knowledge of store
operations and his dedication to duty have had the
most impact on my career. He was, and continues
to be, my inspiration. I have the honor and pleasure
to work for him again, now at the Heidelberg
Commissary. I also want to mention my two local
national work leaders, Simone Wuerth-Thorson
and Irma Lane, at Heidelberg Commissary for their
tremendous dedication to the deli-bakery department
and their continuous support.
Z
49
!
Lawrence
Wheaton
Gulfport Commissary, Miss.
What do you like best about your job as a
produce worker?
I like the interaction with customers. I have a
special bond with many of them. I can relate
to many of their situations and lifestyles.
Being retired military, I find that many of my
concerns are the same as both retired and
active-duty customers.
Lawrence Wheaton
I create raving fans by consistently practicing
good stewardship. I put the customer first. I try
to accommodate their needs within reason and
the capabilities of the store. I am honest with our
customers and I never make promises the store
can’t accomplish. I love what I do and that alone
fosters positive feedback.
What’s your career history?
I was a professional soldier
for more than 30 years in the
Army and achieved the rank of
sergeant major. I am a combat
veteran, and I’ve served at
various levels of leadership.
My career field was logistics.
In 1998, I retired from the
Army and went to work in the
private sector. I was an assistant
manager of a parts store for two
years. I joined Team DeCA in
2000 where I employ the skills I
learned in the Army.
What are your professional
goals?
My goals are to serve the military
communities for at least nine
50
more years, serve at a higher level of responsibility,
remain a positive asset, and maintain a healthy
body and sound mind.
My co-workers and their spirit of cooperation have
had the most influence on my career. When one
works with good people, it makes life much easier.
I will go above and beyond when required, and they
would do the same.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Wheaton while he was
employed in Gulfport prior to his coming to work at the
commissary. I was always impressed with his demeanor
and service to the patrons, then and still today. He is an
outstanding individual I am proud to have on our team; he
is the epitome of what DeCA provides and stands for to
our military. He consistently goes above and beyond when
serving the commissary patrons and assisting co-workers
no matter the challenges, creating raving fans among the
patrons, the workforce and the community.
Walt Taylor
Store director
!
frontandcenter
obituaries
DONNA BEADEL, Fort Worth, Texas (Dec. 14)
LONNIE DUNFORD, Fort Sill, Okla. (Oct. 29)
SHARI SMITH (retired), Fort Jackson, S.C.
(Dec. 20)
EUGENE STRANGE, Heidelberg, Germany
(Oct. 24)
BEVERLY BURLEY WASHINGTON (retired),
HQ DeCA, Va. (Nov. 18)
retirements
IRENE APGAR, Grand Forks, N.D.
ROBERT BARR, Nellis AFB, Nev.
UWE BECKER, Heidelberg, Germany (40)
JEANETTE BLAS, MCLB Barstow, Calif.
BLAS CASAUS, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
VIRGINIA COFIELD, McChord AFB, Wash.
KIRBY COGGINS, McChord AFB, Wash.
MONIKA FAGAN,
Davis-Monthan AFB,
Ariz.
* ROBERT HAYDEN,
HQ DeCA, Va. (44)
E. ALEX HEBERT,
Dyess AFB, Texas
MICHAEL
HERNANDEZ,
Cannon AFB, N.M.
GARY HERUBIN,
HQ DeCA, Va.
WALTER HOWARD,
NAB Little Creek,
Va. (42)
Robert Hayden (44)
NANCY JONES,
McConnell, Calif.
VIOLET KLAREN, HQ DeCA, Va.
GLORIANNA LEE, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
EDWARD LEWIS, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
GALE MANRING, Bangor ANGB, Maine
PAT McBURNEY, HQ DeCA, Va.
RICHARD PAGE, HQ DeCA, Va.
DAVID ROBINSON, McClellan, Calif.
FLO ROUX, HQ DeCA, Va.
JERRY SENA, Cannon AFB, N.M.
JERRY SMITH, Luke AFB, Ariz.
YONEKO TSUHA, Kadena AB, Okinawa
RON WILLIAMS, Vance AFB, Okla.
NEIL WRAY, Whiteman AFB, Mo. (40)
BARBARA ZANYK, Fort Polk, La.
anniversaries
(Mug shots welcomed for those with 40+ years
of service)
45 years
PETER MAYER, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany
40 years
* RON FOSTER, Aviano AB, Italy
HERBERT KAISSLING, Kaiserslautern CDC,
Germany
* JOHN KIRK, Yongsan CDC, South Korea
* MICHAEL MÜLLER, Germersheim CDC,
Germany
* HANS WALTER SINN, Germersheim CDC,
Germany
* Pictured
Ron Foster (40)
John Kirk (40)
Michael Müller (40)
Hans Walter Sinn (40)
* PAUL WATSON,
CMPP, Germany
35 years
GÜNTER
BEITELSTEIN,
Germersheim CDC,
Germany
CLEMENS
FLICKINGER,
Ramstein AB,
Germany
30 years
ROBERT BARR,
Paul Watson (40)
Nellis AFB, Nev.
XENIA BOND,
Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany
RICK BRYANT, Ramstein AB, Germany
HSIU CHO, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
VIRGINIA COFIELD, McChord AFB, Wash.
KIRBY COGGINS, McChord AFB, Wash.
SHERRI COOPER, NSCS Athens, Ga.
ZAHIDE DELIBAS, Incirlik, Turkey
MONIKA EARLEY, Baumholder, Germany
JESSE GARCIA, NAS Key West, Fla.
RAYMOND GONZALES, Bamberg, Germany
ROBERT GOODWIN, DeCA Europe, Germany
MANFRED HÖHN, Kaiserslautern CDC,
Germany
FRANZ HOLMER, Ramstein AB, Germany
CAROL HUMPHRIES, McChord AFB, Wash.
SIGITTA JANCYS, Kaiserslautern CDC,
Germany
BETTY JOHANSON, NAS Brunswick, Maine
BENNIE JOHNSON, Illesheim, Germany
WARDELL JOHNSON, McChord AFB, Wash.
ROBERT KADOR JR., Schweinfurt, Germany
HILDE KRAUSS, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany
RAYMOND LANGFORD, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
EDWARD MAUK, DeCA Europe, Germany
CHARLES PACE, MCLB Barstow, Calif.
ROBERT POOL, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany
BARBARA ROBBEN, Beale AFB, Calif.
ANTHONY SANCHEZ, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
PETRA SCHMIDT, Baumholder, Germany
JAIME SEGARRA JR., Hohenfels, Germany
MANFRED STOCKEMER, Bitburg AB, Germany
JESUS TORRES, Wiesbaden, Germany
GENE TREMBLY, Luke AFB, Ariz.
ERNESTINA VASQUEZ, Bitburg, Germany
BELINDA WATKINS, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
DOUGLAS WEADEN, Germersheim CDC,
Germany
ANGELITA WEIS, DeCA Europe, Germany
KEIKO YONAHA, Okinawa CDC
Everyday hero
Seichu Hayashi, Okinawa CDC
supply specialist, saved a young
man from burning to death after
a motorcycle crash, Dec. 1. The
victim was struck at high speed
by a car and thrown from his
bike in a fireball of flames from
ignited gas and burning clothes.
Driving home with his family,
Hayashi jumped from his car
and used his jacket to smother
flames on the victim, calmly
asking the man not to move and
remain calm until the police and
ambulance arrived. DeCA photo:
Hiromi Higa
25 years
ANDREA BRENNER, Germersheim CDC,
Germany
LIDIA DE FATIMA MORAIS FONTES, Lajes
Field, Portugal
ERCAN DELIBALTA, Incirlik AB, Turkey
ROCKY GARDNER, Fort Sill, Okla.
MICHELE GARGANO, Aviano AB, Germany Z
51
!
CHRISTOPHER GOMEZ, Fort Knox, Ky.
JUTTA HELFRICH, DeCA Europe, Germany
ALFRED HORMESCH, Bitburg AB, Germany
AGRON MECE, Kaiserslautern CDC, Germany
HARALD MÜLLER, Kaiserslautern CDC,
Germany
PETRA RUTZ, DeCA Europe, Germany
SO YUN-SIK, Camp Casey, South Korea
ALFRED STENGEL, Vogelweh, Germany
GARY STULL, Fort Knox, Ky.
STEPHEN WERNER, Bitburg AB, Germany
WILTRUD ZEIMENS, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
20 years
YILMAZ AKBAS, Incirlik AB, Turkey
PIA ALLEN, Vogelweh, Germany
CARMEN ATES, DeCA Europe, Germany
CARLOS COELHO A AZEVEDO, Lajes Field,
Portugal
MARTHA BELL, Sembach, Germany
THOMAS BRONSON, RAF Lakenheath, England
MEHMET BUYUKNISAN, Incirlik AB, Turkey
LISA CAMPBELL, McChord AFB, Wash.
CHOE SOK-CHU, Yongsan, South Korea
AUDREY CROUCH, Eglin AFB, Fla.
DEBBIE DOMINGUEZ, San Onofre, Calif.
EDITH DOWTIN, Schinnen, Germany
PETER DRUM, Germersheim CDC, Germany
PETER EPPERS, Bitburg, Germany
TONY FAFARA, NSB New London, Conn.
MARY GRASSEL-BAXTER, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
DIANE GREEN, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
MASAMI HAMASAKI, Kanto CDC, Japan
ANNETTE HAYDEN, Fort Knox, Ky.
ALFRED HORMESCH, Bitburg AB, Germany
TOMMY ISBELL, Illesheim, Germany
WILLIE JOHNSON, Patch Barracks, Germany
CHRISTIAN KEMMERLING, Kaiserslautern
CDC, Germany
ELKE KUHN, Germersheim CDC, Germany
PATRICIA LARSEN, Luke AFB, Ariz.
SWINETTE MARTIN, RAF Alconbury, England
BERNIE MESA, McChord AFB, Wash.
HERMANN MICHEL, Kaiserslautern CDC,
Germany
HUBERT MÜRRIGER, DeCA Europe, Germany
PRENTISS NEAL, Germersheim CDC, Germany
GAIL NICHOLLS, RAF Fairford, England
DAVID PALMER, Ramstein AB, Germany
WENDY PARKS, DeCA Europe, Germany
JODI PUSLEY, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
ANNIE QUITUGUA, Fort Irwin, Calif.
STEFAN RADNER, Kaiserslautern CDC,
Germany
RITA REBECCA, Aviano AB, Italy
MICHAEL REMMLER, DeCA Europe, Germany
SIGRID RIGONI, DeCA Europe, Germany
NORA ROWLAND, McConnell AFB, Kan.
TATSUNORI SATO, Kanto CDC, Japan
GERHARD SAUER, Kaiserslautern CDC,
Germany
ELVI STEPHENS, Ramstein AB, Germany
PEGGY STRAND-CHANDLER, Fort Knox, Ky.
RAMAZAN SUMER, Incirlik, Turkey
MICHAEL TAYLOR, Beale AFB, Calif.
JUERGEN WAGNER, Vogelweh, Germany
JOSEPH WARWICK, Vogelweh, Germany
LARRY WEATHERS, Schweinfurt Commissary,
Germany
HOPE WEBER, NSCS Athens, Ga.
JOSEF WEISS, Vilseck, Germany
LEVI WOMACK JR., Germersheim CDC,
Germany
DILEK YILDIRIMOGLU, Izmir, Turkey
15 years
PAOLA BOSCHIAN CAMPANER, Aviano AB,
Italy
SSODA ART: Mountain Home Commissary, Idaho, recently took top
honors in two Coca-Cola display contests. This snowman scene won
in fall football display competition, and another gave the store its fifth
consecutive win for NASCAR displays. DeCA photo: Michael Howell
52
MICHAEL GRIES, Ramstein AB, Germany
KIYOTAKA GUSHI, Okinawa CDC
KATSUYO HENNA, Okinawa CDC
AKIRA HIGA, Okinawa CDC
NAEKO HIGA, Okinawa CDC
TETSUYA HIGA, Okinawa CDC
SONJA HILL, Ramstein CMPP, Germany
BUDDIE KOLATH, Taegu Camp Walker, South
Korea
ALVA LEWIS, NFA Yokosuka, Japan
SUEKO MATAYOSHI, Okinawa CDC
YOSHINORI MATSUKAWA, Okinawa CDC
YUJI MIYAGI, Okinawa CDC
JINKO MOMOJI, Okinawa CDC
SHINKO NAKAMOTO, Okinawa CDC
KIYOMI NAKAZATO, Okinawa CDC
THOMAS OBORNIK, Ramstein AB, Germany
SIRA REBECCA, Aviano AB, Italy
ISAMU SAKUMOTO, Okinawa CDC
MARIA SPEARS, Vogelweh, Germany
CHRISTIAN STUMPF, Germersheim CDC,
Germany
YASUYOSHI TANAKA, Okinawa CDC
MORIMICHI TAMAYOSE, Okinawa CDC
ERIKA WETZEL, Germersheim CDC, Germany
SHOTA YAMASHIRO, Okinawa CDC
10 years
NUNO VALERIO FREITAS ANDRADE, Lajes
Field, Portugal
HUESEYIN ATAR, Germersheim CDC, Germany
GREGORY BARTLETT, RAF Lakenheath,
England
CONSUELO BETTIN, Aviano AB, Germany
CHOE YONG-KIL, Yongsan CDC, South Korea
MARIA EUGENIA COSTA DA SILVA, Lajes
Field, Portugal
COLIN CRAEMER, RAF Lakenheath, England
MARILYN CRESCINI, NB San Diego, Calif.
GEORGE CSABA, RAF Lakenheath, England
RICHARD DAVIS, McConnell AFB, Kan.
REBECCA DELANCY, Eglin AFB, Fla.
INGE DIESTERWEG, Vogelweh, Germany
RUSSELL ELLISON, Germersheim CDC,
Germany
THOMAS FEDROWITZ, Ramstein CMPP,
Germany
YON SON FIELD, Luke AFB, Ariz.
GERTY GEAHRY, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
GISELA GONZALEZ, DeCA Europe, Germany
VIKTOR GOTTFRIED, Vogelweh, Germany
LILIAN GRAJO, Patch Barracks, Germany
TIZIANA GRAZIOSI, Aviano AB, Italy
TROY GREEN, Schinnen, Germany
ANGELA HARMON, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
PAT HAUGHTALING, Vance AFB, Okla.
BRUCE HENDERSON, Patch Barracks, Germany
ROXANA HERNANDEZ, NS Rota, Spain
JÜRGEN HOHLFELD, Kaiserslautern CDC,
Germany
RONALD HOPKINS, Wiesbaden, Germany
JOSEPH “TODD” HUBBUCH, Fort Knox, Ky.
CHRISTOPHER ILAGAN, Los Angeles AFB,
Calif.
HIDEYUKI KATO, Kanto CDC, Japan
BERNHARD KENNEL, Ramstein CMPP,
Germany
TRACEY KITZLER, Eglin AFB, Fla.
GEORGE KLINE, Ansbach, Germany
EDUARD KUNSTMANN, Germersheim CDC,
Germany
REGINA LANIER, Fort Knox, Ky.
DESA MACOMBER, DeCA Europe, Germany
MANNA ABRAHA MAHARI, Aviano AB, Italy
DOSWELL MAKLE, Grafenwoehr, Germany
TETSUYA MANNEN, Yokota AB, Japan
!
SLOBSTER LESSON: Bill Nethercutt, meat department manager at Cherry Point Commissary, N.C.,
explains lobster anatomy to children touring from the base child care center in October 2008. DeCA
photo: Phyllis Black
BRUCE MANOW, Germersheim CDC, Germany
OKITAKA MEDORUMA, Okinawa CDC
DIANE MUELLER, RAF Lakenheath, England
GISELA MÜLLER, Ramstein CMPP, Germany
ANTONELLA MURAN, Aviano AB, Italy
KATSUYUKI NARITA, Misawa AB, Japan
RAFAEL NORA, Holloman AFB, N.M.
MARIA CRISTINA PAVANETTO, Aviano AB,
Germany
SAMUEL PETERS, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
HELEN PIERSON, Ramstein CMPP, Germany
SIMONE PLEIN, Spangdahlem, Germany
LISA POND, Vance AFB, Okla.
MARLENE QUIOCHO, Mannheim, Germany
PAUL RICHARDS, Vance AFB, Okla.
DONNIVLE RISER, RAF Lakenheath, England
LINDA RIVERS, Vance AFB, Okla.
TOMOTSUNE SAWADA, Okinawa CDC
ANKE SCHMIDT, Sembach, Germany
JON SCHULTZ, Grafenwoehr, Germany
ROBERT SHEETS, RAF Alconbury, England
SIN CHA-REID, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea
EUGENE STRANGE, Heidelberg, Germany
INGRID STRUTZBERG, Germersheim CDC,
Germany
ETHEL ROSHA STUKES, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
ROBERT SUTTON, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
FRANCESCA TASSAN, Aviano AB, Italy
RYOZO UMETSU, Misawa AB, Japan
DAWN VAUGHN, NSCS Athens, Ga.
TONYA VELAZQUEZ, Baumholder, Germany
LEIGH ANN WHITE, NAS Key West, Fla.
MICHAEL WILLIS, Germersheim CDC, Germany
FUMIAKI YAMADA, Misawa AB, Japan
TERRY YANNACCI, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
top employees
5 years
CHOE IN-TAEK, Yongsan CDC, South Korea
CHONG HAN-CHAE, Yongsan CDC, South Korea
DeCA warriors
DeCA East:
GERALD MARTIN,
meatcutter, Hanscom
Commissary, Mass.
Military rank,
title and duty
station: Specialist,
communications
specialist,
211th Military
Police Battalion,
Headquarters
Detachment, Army
National Guard,
Gerald Martin
Lexington, Mass.
Duty locations and
inclusive dates: Baghdad, Iraq, July 2007 to
July 2008
Yoshihiko Nakachi
Mary Ratcliff
Employees of the Year 2008
IRMA CARDENAS, Fort Knox, Ky.
CLAUDIA CROCKER, MCLB Barstow, Calif.
* YOSHIHIKO NAKACHI, Okinawa CDC
* MARY RATCLIFF, NAF El Centro, Calif.
TONYA TAWLINGS, MCB San Onofre, Calif.
GREGORY UN-YOUNG, Yongsan CDC, South
Korea
JOSE YRACHETA, NB San Diego, Calif.
Safety Employee of the Year 2008
MARIA CARRERA, NAF El Centro, Calif.
Z
53
!
Employees of the Quarter
1st Quarter 2009
JANICE BOELTER, Nellis AFB, Nev.
ANDY CABUSAO, NB San Diego, Calif.
CRAIG DE BROSKY, Camp Foster, Okinawa
YOSHIKI EBINA, Misawa AB, Japan
ANGELA FIACCATO, Edwards AFB, Calif.
DANIEL GEORGE, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
KAYOKO KUBA, Kadena AB, Okinawa
HIROKO MAEHARA, Okinawa CDC
TADASHI MATSUMOTO, Iwakuni CDC, Japan
OKITAKA MEDORUM, Okinawa CDC
TAITO MIYAZATO, Okinawa CDC
FRANK MOON, Holloman AFB, N.M.
YOSHIHIKO NAKACHI, Okinawa CDC
GERALD PEREZ, NAS Key West, Fla.
EMI SAITO, NAF Atsugi, Japan
KEITH TERRY, Fort Irwin, Calif.
4th Quarter 2008
MARY AGULAR, Holloman AFB, N.M.
MELODY ALBERT, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
GAYLA BARTOW, Vance AFB, Okla.
KIMBERLY BROCK, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
EVELYN BROWN, Fort Knox, Ky.
MARGARET CAMACHO, Dugway PG, Utah
NICOLETTE CAMACHO, McChord AFB, Wash.
CHOE SONG-CHU, Taegu Camp Walker, South
Korea
MICHAEL CLEMENS, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
HYON DANYLUK, NAWS China Lake, Calif.
MARIS EYASU, MCLB Barstow, Calif.
AGNES FEGURGUR, McChord AFB, Wash.
EDNA HAAG, Fort Eustis, Va.
GREG HADDEN, McChord AFB, Wash.
LORNA HEINEN, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
DANNY JOHNSON, McChord AFB, Wash.
TAKAHIKO MATSUMOTO, Sagamihara, Japan
BERNIE MESA, McChord AFB, Wash.
DAWN MONTERO, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
THEODOSIA MORTENSON, McChord AFB,
Wash.
HESUSU OKUHARA, Camp Zama, Japan
PAK SU-PAE, Kunsan, South Korea
SUSAN RICKER, Hannam Village, South Korea
LEIGH ANN WHITE, NAS Key West, Fla.
4th Quarter Safety Employee
KEVIN LARSEN, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
3rd Quarter 2008
TYLER BRADOVICH, Hill AFB, Utah
KRENIL DALIRE, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
RICHARD DAVIS, McConnell AFB, Kan.
BETTY FRYE, Holloman AFB, N.M.
YONG GALLOP, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
AFA ILAOA, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
MASAE KUBO, Camp Kure, Japan
PERRI MERRITT, Fort Eustis, Va.
ROBERT MORGAN, McConnell AFB, Kan.
RUBY RAMOS, NB San Diego, Calif.
NORA ROWLAND, McConnell AFB, Kan.
GARY STULL, Fort Knox, Ky.
TEENA TUCKER, McConnell AFB, Kan.
3rd Quarter Safety Employee
TRACY BUCHANAN, Beale AFB, Calif.
CHING BURTON, Beale AFB, Calif.
JEFF TAYLOR, Vance AFB, Okla.
2nd Quarter 2008
JOHN FIGGINS, Holloman AFB, N.M.
CHANG LAWHORN, Fort Eustis, Va.
ANDY SALAZAR, NB San Diego, Calif.
54
S‘TIS THE SEASON: DeCA West transportation assistant Gail Mefford helps
organize some of the 1,515 food items collected by region employees for a
local food ministry in December. With about 50 people assigned, first, second
and third floors competed to see which would donate the most food. The third
floor emerged victorious. DeCA photo: Nancy O’Nell
DB SMITH, Fort Knox, Ky.
DEBORAH SONNENBERG, USAF Academy, Colo.
1st Quarter 2008
IRMA CARDENAS, Fort Knox, Ky.
MARYLENE JOHNSON, SC Smokey Point, Wash.
ALZINA SKINNER, Fort Eustis, Va.
Employees of the Month
December 2008
ROBERT ABERGAS, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
CRAIG DE BROSKY, Camp Foster, Okinawa
KATSUHIRO FUKU, FA Sasebo, Japan
TOMOKO HAYANO, Yokota AB, Japan
HANAZAWA HIROYUKI, Kanto Plains CDC,
Japan
YOSHITAKA KAWAMURA, Misawa AB, Japan
!
HIROKO MAEHARA, Okinawa CDC
TADASHI MATSUMOTO, Iwakuni CDC, Japan
OKITAKA MEDORUM, Okinawa CDC
NAOSHI NAKAMUREA, Okinawa CDC
MEGUMI OSHIRO, Kadena AB, Okinawa
BERTHA RODRIGUEZ, Edwards AFB, Calif.
RACHEL ROMERO, Hario Village, Japan
SHIN SAKIHAMA, Camp Courtney, Okinawa
JUNICHI SUZUKI, Sagamihara, Japan
KEVIN WHITEFIELD, NAF Atsugi, Japan
December 2008 Cashier of the Month
YOLANDA BASULTO, FA Sasebo, Japan
SHOKO EGUCHI, NFA Yokosuka, Japan
November 2008
KENTON CONNER, Iwakuni CDC, Japan
CHANGSUN DOUGHTY, Osan CDC, South Korea
BETH DUFRESNE, Dugway PG, Utah
IN FILIPOWSKI, Yongsan CDC, South Korea
MARYANN ISIDRO, Kadena AB, Okinawa
VANDELL JOHNSON, Misawa AB, Japan
KIM CHUNG-HWAN, Hannam Village, South
Korea
EDDIE KING, Hario Village, Japan
KWON HAN-MIN, Yongsan AB, South Korea
CIARA LATKA, Osan CDC, South Korea
CAMILLE MASK, Edwards AFB, Calif.
TATSUYA MASUDA, Yokota AB, Japan
TAITO MIYAZATO, Okinawa CDC
NAOKI NAKAHARA, Okinawa CDC
ANA RARANGOL, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
HIRONORI SUNAGAWA, Okinawa CDC
HIROTOMO TERUYA, MCB Camp Courtney,
Okinawa
TO KWON-U, Yongsan AB, South Korea
ATSUSHI UEHARA, MCB Camp Foster, Okinawa
ROSE VANCE, FA Sasebo, Japan
LESLIE VILANUEVA, NAF El Centro, Calif.
SHINJI WAKAMATSU, Sagamihara, Japan
YIM CHONG-KUN, Yongsan AB, South Korea
HITOSHI ZAMA, NAF Atsugi, Japan
November 2008 Cashier of the Month
MERCEDES CANETE, NAF Atsugi, Japan
SHOKO EGUCHI, NFA Yokosuka, Japan
STEPHANIE STAGGERS, FA Sasebo, Japan
November 2008 Safety Employee
CHANGSUN DOUGHTY, Osan CDC, South Korea
October 2008
HEDETOSHI ARAKAWA, Kadena AB, Okinawa
CHON HAE-SAENG, Camp Stanley, South Korea
KENTON CONNER, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
YOSHIKI EBINA, Okinawa CDC
KEIKO HIGA, MCB Camp Courtney, Okinawa
SCOTT HOLT, Okinawa CDC
CHRISTY HUTCHINGSON, Kadena AB, Okinawa
HWANG CHUN-SOK, Osan CDC, South Korea
FUTOSHI ITO, Yokota AB, Japan
TISOJIA KAGLER, NS Port Hueneme, Calif.
KIM CHONG-IL, Yongsan, South Korea
KIM YONG-KUK, Yongsan, South Korea
HIROYA KINJO, Okinawa CDC
KAYAKO KUBA, Misawa AB, Japan
MASAE KUBO, Camp Kure, Japan
MITSUYSKI MATSUDA, Okinawa CDC
AKIRA MEKARU, Okinawa CDC
PRISCILLA MELEISEA, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
CHININ MIKI, Camp Foster, Okinawa
YOSNINAO NAGAMINE, MCB Camp Kinser,
Okinawa
PAK SU-UEN, Kunsan, South Korea
LOUIS RIVERA, Edwards AFB, Nev.
SHIN CHU-HYON, Yongsan, South Korea
WILLIAM STALL, NAF Atsugi, Japan
IZUMI TAKAHASHI, Sagamihara, Japan
Z
SLET’S HEAR IT FOR HEALTH: Portsmouth Commissary, Va., helped sponsor a health fair and safety stand
down for sailors from the USS Harry S. Truman at the Naval Base Norfolk gym, Sept. 29. The store set up a
commissary awareness booth, and DeCA’s dietitian, Lt. Col. Karen Hawkins, provided nutritional advice. More
than 2,000 sailors attended. DeCA photo: Doug Buntley
55
!
YIM NAM-CHAE, Osan CDC, South Korea
YO TAE-WON, Yongsan CDC, South Korea
ERIC YORK, Hario Village, Japan
YONG CHAE-WON, Hannam Village, South Korea
October 2008 Cashier of the Month
EDEN SULLIVAN, NFA Yokosuka, Japan
ROSE VANCE, FA Sasebo, Japan
September 2008
MARITA ANDREWS, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
JUDITH CRUZ, NBK Bremerton, Wash.
PAULA MENDEZ, Hannam Village, South Korea
September 2008 Cashier of the Month
MEDINA JOHNSON, NAF Atsugi, Japan
YASUKO NAGAOKA, FA Sasebo, Japan
September 2008 Safety Employee
JOAN GAILO, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
August 2008
AN CHANG-HWAN, Yongsan, South Korea
HIDETOSHI ARAKAWA, Kadena AB, Okinawa
YUKO ARCHER, Okinawa CDC
ROBERT ARMEL, Okinawa CDC
JULIE BARCINAS, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
CHARITY BUGAWAN, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
ZAREENA CATALLA, Dugway PG, Utah
TAKASHI CHINEN, Okinawa CDC
FELICIDAD GARCIA, NFA Yokosuka, Japan
OSAMU HIGA, MCB Camp Courtney, Okinawa
JORDAN HOOTEN, Edwards AFB, Calif.
KWON HAN-MIN, Yongsan, South Korea
IM CHUNG-KUN, Yongsan, South Korea
DENNIS JONES, Osan CDC, South Korea
HIROHITO KAWASHIMA, Yokota AB, Japan
KIM KYU-CHIN, Yongsan CDC, South Korea
KWON HAN-MIN, Yongsan, South Korea
DEANNA MAIO, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
SHIN MIYAGI, MCB Camp Foster, Okinawa
HIROMITSU NAKAE, MCB Camp Kinser, Okinawa
PAK CHONG-HYE, Osan CDC, South Korea
AURORA REYES, Hario Village, Japan
EMI SAITO, NAF Atsugi, Japan
RIE UTSUGI, Kanto Plain CDC, Japan
GRACE VALCARCEL, FA Sasebo, Japan
GEORGE WALLACE, Iwakuni CDC, Japan
HITOSHI YAMAGUCHI, Misawa AB, Japan
KEIKO YONAHA, Okinawa CDC
August 2008 Cashier of the Month
YASUKO NAGAOKA, FA Sasebo, Japan
July 2008
DUSTIN BAYER, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
MARGIE COOPER, NBK Bremerton, Wash.
MONETTE KLINKENBERG, Dugway PG, Utah
July 2008 Cashier of the Month
June 2008
KENZY EINMO, NB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
pro honors
SAPPLES, CENTER STAGE: Fort Sill Commissary, Okla., showcased varieties of
apples in this huge display, prepared in pursuit of annual New York State Apple
Display Contest honors. C & C Produce photo: Dennis Messner
Brach’s Caramel Apple Display
DeCA East: PATRICK AFB, NAS PENSACOLA,
Fla.
DeCA West: FORT SILL, Okla.; McCHORD
AFB, Wash.
Dr. Pepper/Snapple Indiana Jones Display
DeCA West: NS EVERETT SMOKEY POINT, Wash.
Campbell’s Life Display
DeCA West: McCONNELL AFB, Kan.
Elite Foods/C. Lloyd Johnson Seafood Display
DeCA Europe: AVIANO AB, Italy
Campbell’s/Pepperidge Farm
Labels for Education Display
DeCA East: FORT McCOY, Wis.; NS
NEWPORT, R.I.; MCAS NEW RIVER, N.C.;
McGUIRE AFB, N.J.; NAS PENSACOLA, Fla.
DeCA West: ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D.; FORT
HOOD I, Texas; McCHORD AFB, Wash.
Frito-Lay NFL Super Bowl Display
DeCA West: YONGSAN, South Korea
Clorox Health and Wellness Sale
DeCA West: MINOT AFB, N.D.
General Mills Just Add Milk Display
DeCA East: NSF DAHLGREN, Va.; GUNTER
AFB, Ala., honorable mention
DeCA West: EDWARDS AFB, Calif.;
MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, Idaho
Coca-Cola NASCAR Display
DeCA East: FORT EUSTIS, LANGLEY AFB, Va.
DeCA West: CANNON AFB, N.M.; FORT BLISS,
Texas; MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, Idaho (5th
consecutive)
Coca-Cola Fall Football Display
DeCA East: COLUMBUS AFB, Miss.
DeCA West: MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, Idaho
(Other winners from listed contests may have
been published previously)
ConAgra Truckload Sale Display
DeCA East: LANGLEY AFB, Va.
DeCA West: CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (3rd
consecutive); FORT HOOD II, Texas; FORT
LEWIS, Wash.; NFA YOKOSUKA, Japan
Bird’s Eye Frozen Food Display
DeCA West: FORT SILL, Okla.
Del Monte Home Grown Goodness Display
DeCA East: LANGLEY AFB, Va.
56
Eastern Apple Display
DeCA East: USMC WEST POINT, N.Y.
General Mills Cinco de Mayo Display
DeCA East: FORT BENNING, Ga.; NB NORFOLK,
Va.; GUNTER AFB, Ala., honorable mention
DeCA West: McCHORD AFB, Wash.
General Mills Sensational Savings
DeCA East: FORT RUCKER, Ala.
General Mills Warming Up America
DeCA West: FORT BLISS, GOODFELLOW AFB,
Texas; LOS ANGELES AFB, Calif., honorable
mention
Gorton’s Solve Dinner Display
DeCA West: McCLELLAN, Calif., honorable mention
Goya Cinco de Mayo Display
DeCA West: KADENA AB, Okinawa
Heinz Golden Ketchup Display
DeCA East: FORT MEADE, Md.; FORT
STEWART, NSB KINGS BAY (worldwide),
!
HUNTER AAF, Ga.; NAS KEY WEST, NAS
MAYPORT, Fla.; WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio
DeCA Europe: HEIDELBERG, Germany
DeCA West: MCLB BARSTOW, EDWARDS AFB,
McCLELLAN, Calif.; FORT BLISS, LACKLAND AFB,
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas; KADENA AB, Okinawa;
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M.; MOUNTAIN HOME AFB,
Idaho (5th consecutive); OFFUTT AFB, Neb.; OSAN
AB, YONGSAN, South Korea; TINKER AFB, Okla.,
honorable mention
Highplains Heroes Display
DeCA East: HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.
Kellogg’s Free Milk Display
DeCA East: COLUMBUS AFB, Miss.; USMA
WEST POINT, N.Y.
DeCA Europe: WIESBADEN, Germany
DeCA West: MCLB BARSTOW, MCB CAMP
PENDLETON, McCLELLAN, ORD COMMUNITY,
TRAVIS AFB, Calif.; NAS JRB FORT WORTH,
Texas; KADENA AB, Okinawa
Kellogg’s NASCAR Display
DeCA East: C.E. KELLY, Pa.; NB NORFOLK,
Va.; REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.
DeCA West: YONGSAN, South Korea
Kellogg’s/Keebler Perfect Match Display
DeCA West: NAS JRB FORT WORTH, Texas
Kimberly Clark Box Tops for Education
DeCA East: NAS PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (2nd
consecutive)
DeCA West: CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.;
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas
Kingsburg Orchards Pluots Display
DeCA East: FORT MEADE, Md.
Kraft Excellence in Execution
DeCA East: COLUMBUS AFB, NCBC
GULFPORT, KEESLER AFB, NAS MERIDIAN,
Miss.; NSF DAHLGREN, FORT BELVOIR, FORT
MYER, MCB QUANTICO, NB NORFOLK, FORT
LEE, Va.; FORT BRAGG NORTH, SEYMOUR
JOHNSON AFB, N.C.; FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto
Rico; FORT DETRICK, FORT MEADE, Md.; FORT
KNOX, Ky.; FORT McCOY, Wis.; FORT STEWART,
HUNTER AAF, Ga.; GUNTER AFB, MAXWELL
AFB, Ala.; PARRIS ISLAND, SHAW AFB, S.C.;
SCOTT AFB, Ill.; NIOC SUGAR GROVE, W.Va.;
WHITEMAN AFB, Mo.; NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla.
DeCA Europe: HEIDELBERG, Germany
DeCA West: ANCHORAGE, FORT GREELY,
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska; DAVIS-MONTHAN
AFB, FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz.; ELLSWORTH
AFB, S.D.; FORT HOOD I, FORT HOOD II, Texas;
FORT RILEY, Kan.; HILL AFB, Utah; KANEHOE
BAY, Hawaii; NELLIS AFB, Nev.; OFFUTT AFB,
Neb.; TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.; WHIDBEY
ISLAND, Wash.; YOKOTA AB, Japan
Kraft Pizza Display
DeCA East: ZONE 28, FORT BELVOIR,
LANGLEY AFB, NB NORFOLK, Va.; NAS
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.; KEESLER AFB, Miss.;
NIOC SUGAR GROVE, W.Va.
DeCA West: FORT SILL, Okla.; WHITE SANDS
MR, N.M.
Marzetti Apple Display
DeCA West: YOKOTA AB, Japan
Milk-Bone Canine Assistants Display
DeCA East: FORT BENNING, Ga.; FORT
JACKSON, S.C.
DeCA West: CANNON AFB, N.M.; FORT BLISS,
Texas; OFFUTT AFB, Neb.; TINKER AFB, Okla.
Nestlé Best Sales Award
DeCA East: NAB LITTLE CREEK, Va.
DeCA West: ARNOLD AFB, Tenn.
Northwest Pear Display
DeCA East: FORT RUCKER, Ala.
Old El Paso Cinco de Mayo Display
DeCA West: McCHORD AFB, Wash.
OSC Dollar Days Display
DeCA East: NSB KINGS BAY, Ga.
Procter & Gamble Special Olympics
DeCA East: FORT KNOX, Ky.; FORT MEADE, Md.;
NB NORFOLK, Va.; SELFRIDGE ANGB, Mich.
DeCA West: NBK BREMERTON, Wash.; MCB
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa; CAMP STANLEY,
South Korea; FORT SILL, Okla.
Progresso Soup Display
DeCA West: NAWS CHINA LAKE, EDWARDS
AFB, LOS ANGELES AFB, Calif.; NFA
YOKOSUKA, Japan
Purina Canine Hero Display
DeCA East: FORT GORDON, Ga.
Quaker/Tropicana Start Your Day Right Display
DeCA East: SELFRIDGE ANGB, Mich.
DeCA West: NBK BREMERTON, Wash.; NAF EL
CENTRO, Calif.; MALMSTROM AFB, Mo.
S&K Sales March Madness Display
DeCA East: FORT GORDON, Ga.
S&K Sales Spring Display
DeCA West: NAS SIGONELLA, Italy
San Joaquin Valley Farm Harvest Display
DeCA East: NSA MEMPHIS, Tenn.
DeCA West: SAGAMIHARA, Japan; SHEPPARD
AFB, Texas
San Joaquin Valley Farm Pistachio Award
DeCA East: ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill.
Smucker’s Serving Our Country’s Finest
DeCA East: FORT GILLEM, NSB KINGS BAY,
Ga.; FORT MEADE, Md.
DeCA Europe: LAKENHEATH, England
DeCA West: ARNOLD AFB, Tenn.; KADENA AB,
Okinawa; LACKLAND AFB, Texas; NB PEARL
Z
HARBOR, Hawaii
Oneata/Star Ranch Apple Display
DeCA West: HICKAM AFB, Hawaii
WSPECIAL DELIVERY: Fort
Rucker Commissary, Ala.,
created a helicopter toting
fruits and veggies for display
during the 2008 DeCA
Produce Merchandising
Contest. A real helicopter
wouldn’t fit into the store,
so storeworker Christopher
George’s garage became
production line central to
build one on a smaller scale.
When complete, George had
to drive about 10 miles an
hour to safely transport it, and
it took five men to unload it
and get it into the store. DeCA
photo: Stephen Pope
57
!
Snapple Crystal Creative Display
DeCA East: FORT BENNING, ROBINS AFB,
Ga.; McGUIRE AFB, N.J., best overall
DeCA Europe: HEIDELBERG, RAMSTEIN AB,
Germany
DeCA West: FAIRCHILD AFB, Wash.; KADENA
AB, Okinawa; TAEGU CAMP WALKER, South
Korea; TINKER AFB, VANCE AFB, Okla.
14th Annual StarKist “Charlie” Awards
DeCA East: BANGOR ANGB, Maine; FORT
McCOY, Wis. (4th consecutive year); NAS
PENSACOLA, Fla.; CHARLESTON NWS, S.C.;
FORT GORDON, FORT STEWART, ROBINS
AFB, Ga.
DeCA Europe: LIVORNO, Italy;
GRAFENWOEHR, RAMSTEIN AB, WIESBADEN,
Germany; VICENZA, Italy, honorable mention
DeCA West: ANCHORAGE AREA, Alaska;
CAMP HUMPHREYS, OSAN AB, YONGSAN,
South Korea; MCB CAMP KINSER, Okinawa;
TINKER AFB, Okla.; USAF ACADEMY, Colo.
Tanimura & Antle Homerun Lettuce Display
DeCA East: NAS OCEANA, Va.; McGUIRE
AFB, N.J.; TYNDALL AFB; Fla.
Unilever-Continental Sarvis Italian/American
DeCA East: MCAS CHERRY POINT, N.C.;
HARRISON VILLAGE, Ind.; WRIGHTPATTERSON AFB, Ohio
USA Pear Winter Wonderland Display
DeCA East: WHITEMAN AFB, Mo.
Wisk Field of Dreams Sales
DeCA East: NSA ANNAPOLIS, Md.;
COLUMBUS AFB, Ga.; SCOTT AFB, Ill.
XHERALDING
GOOD THINGS:
Storeworker David
Wiggins, Alconbury
Commissary,
England, designed
and painted a sign
sporting DeCA’s
motto. Store Director
Paula Bennett
said the staff was
proud and excited
to have such a
talented employee
who completed the
project in one day.
DeCA photo: Janet Cox
58
Organizational honors
ANDREWS AFB, Md., certificate of
appreciation from National Industries for the
Blind, for promoting products and services.
BITBURG AB, Germany, honors from Red Cross,
for outstanding support of Operation Open
Arms, providing incoming or departing troops a
snack at the flight terminal.
CAMP CASEY, South Korea, award from Army
Substance Abuse Program, for community
service during Red Ribbon Week.
CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea, award on
behalf of commanding general, for outstanding
support of Second Infantry Division.
DOVER AFB, Del., certificate of appreciation
from National Industries for the Blind, for
promotions.
FORT BRAGG NORTH, N.C., certificate of
appreciation from post elementary school,
for outstanding support of annual “Cowboy
Cookout.”
FORT HOOD I, Texas, certificate of
appreciation from Texas National Guard, for
support of Christmas party. Commander and
command sergeant major coins Donna Baird,
store director; Betty Carey, store manager; and
Mary Kight, supply technician, for on-site sale
support.
FORT IRWIN, Calif., certificate of appreciation, for
support to annual breast cancer awareness run.
FORT LEE, Va., store employee contributions to
Combined Federal Campaign surpassed 2008
levels, headed by Jacquelyn Brown.
FORT MEADE, Md., Commander’s Certificate
of Highest Commendation from departing
garrision commander, for exceptional,
dedicated service.
FORT MYER, Va., commander’s coins from
National Capital Region/Military District
of Washington command sergeant major,
to Elizabeth Herm, store director; Marsha
Davis, customer service manager; Linda
Harrington, store manager; Jeanette Riddick,
produce manager, for excellent service during
Thanksgiving holidays.
FORT POLK, La., plaque from Directorate of
Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation,
for continuing support.
FORT SILL, Okla., wall clock from National
Industries for the Blind, for outstanding support
of Ability One program sponsored by Skillcraft.
GUNTER AFB, Ala., plaque from mission
support group, for support of “Courtyard Grill
Master Burger Burn.”
HEIDELBERG, Germany, award for largest
increase in sales of National Industries for the
Blind products.
LAJES FIELD, Portugal, certificate of
appreciation from commanding generals, for
extraordinary support of U.S. Marine Corps
233rd birthday celebration.
LANGLEY AFB, Va., certificate of appreciation
and picture plaque from Fort Monroe, Va.,
for support of 2008 Better Opportunities for
Single Soldiers program.
LOS ANGELES AFB, Calif., crystal plaque from
Goodwill Industries of Southern California
for outstanding cooperation and support in
customer service.
MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, Idaho, letter of
appreciation from Veterans Resource Network, for
outstanding support from commissary and industry.
NAS PENSACOLA, Fla., commander’s coins
to Store Director Mark Crump and grocery
manager Renée Washington, from Naval
Air Technical Training Center Pensacola, for
outstanding support of food drive.
RIYADH COMMISSARY, Egypt, plaque,
commander’s coins and certificates of
achievement from commanding general,
deputy, chief of staff, and division chiefs, for
winning “Most Improved Store” honors.
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii, certificates
of appreciation from garrison commander, one
for outstanding professionalism and dedication
to the U.S. Army Garrison, Oahu, and one for
outstanding support and dedication of the “Tell
Me A Story” reading program.
SELFRIDGE ANGB, Mich., plaque from morale,
welfare and recreation, for support of 6th
WFLYING HIGH: Yokota
Commissary, Japan, won
first place as DeCA’s
top large store overseas
in the agency’s meat
merchandising contest,
and display pieces such
as this baby C-130
Hercules cargo aircraft
grabbed customers’
attention. Warehouse
employees created the
aircraft out of papiermâché and wood. See
more on the winners,
Pages 30-32. DeCA photo:
William Hicks
Annual Ride for Freedom bike rally supporting
Michigan troops.
VANCE AFB, Okla., wall clock from National
Industries for the Blind, for largest sales
increase in DeCA West, small store 2007.
VOGELWEH, Germany, commander’s coin
from security forces and certificate of
appreciation from National Industries for
the Blind, for outstanding support; cake
decorators Kaylene Anderson and Myrna
Perez received commander’s coins from United
Service Organizations European regional vice
president, for cakes decorated for USO events.
WHITEMAN AFB, Mo., 1st place, base
Christmas tree decorating contest.
NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla., Bronze Certificate
from installation, for achievements in Combined
Federal Campaign, represented by key person
Angela Brewton.
WIESBADEN, Germany, plaque of appreciation
from garrison commander, for continued
community support.
Individual honors
BETH ADAMS, store director, Cannon
Commissary, N.M., letter of appreciation from
director of resource development, Big BrothersBig Sisters Club, for contributions and assistance
in special events.
DENIKA ANDERSON, contract bakery, Dover
Commissary, Del., commander’s coin from wing
commander, for outstanding customer service.
BRIAN AIPPERSPACH, executive assistant
to the director, DeCA West, Calif., Bachelor
of Science in business administration and
management, cum laude, Colorado Technical
University, Colorado Springs, Colo.
DANNY BATARA, sales store technician,
Wiesbaden, Germany, “Pay Customer Service
Award” and $250, from installation for best
customer assistance.
ALAN BROWN, store administrator, Keesler
Commissary, Miss., general officer commander’s
coin, for outstanding customer service.
CHARLES CHO, store manager, Camp
Carroll, South Korea, commander’s award, for
extraordinary efforts as store manager.
ELECTRA FREDERICK, intern, DeCA East, Va.,
“Business Woman of the Year Award” from
local chapter of Eastern Star.
LARRY HOOVER, store director, Carlisle
Barracks Commissary, Pa., recognition
certificate from National Committee for
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve,
for outstanding support of employee
participation in National Guard and Reserve.
WALTER HYDE JR., student hire, Fort Hood I
Commissary, Texas, Biltmore Who’s Who Among
Executives and Professionals, 2008 Honors
Edition, selected as representative for business
community of Killeen, Texas.
WILFORD KNOX, computer-assisted ordering,
Fort Rucker Commissary, Ala., Golden
Eagle statue from 1st Aviation Brigade, for
outstanding support of Food Locker Program.
PAULA LEWIS, store director, Robins
Commissary, Ga., plaque from wing
commander, for support during Warner Robins
Air Logistics Center change of command
ceremony.
JIM MARINO, store director, Lajes Commissary,
Portugal, certificate of appreciation from
commanding general, in recognition of superior
performance and selfless dedication to others.
DEBBIE McFALL, secretary, Fort Bliss
Commissary, Texas, plaque from the Retirees
Association of El Paso, recognizing her and
commissary for support of Retiree Appreciation
Day activities.
JOHN MOORE, store director, Jacksonville
Commissary, Fla., Excellence Eagle Award from
commanding officer, for outstanding support of
military personnel and families.
NANCY O’NELL, public affairs officer, DeCA
West, Calif., Master of Science in business
administration and marketing, University of
Phoenix, Sacramento, Calif.
GINNY NEWBOLD, store administrator, F.E.
Warren AFB, Wyo., commander’s coin and
certificate of appreciation, from Wyoming
Army National Guard’s 84th Civil Support
Team, for her caring, thoughtfulness and selfless
service in taking care of soldiers and families.
HARRY NICHOLS, store director, Ramstein AB,
Germany, appointed a Kentucky Colonel, the
highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth
of Kentucky, by the governor and secretary of
state, for outstanding troop support.
CLYDE NOLEN, store director, AMC Walter
Reed, Md., Wounded Warrior Project coin for
program support.
KRISTINE POLTRICK, intern, Fort Lee, Va.,
graduated from Virginia Commonwealth
University in December.
ELLI ROBISON, computer-assisted ordering, Fort
Huachuca, Ariz., certificate of appreciation from
Greater Huachuca Men’s Golf Club, for outstanding
support of Turkey Scramble Golf Tournament.
JOHN TURNER, store director, Fort Irwin
Commissary, Calif., certificates of appreciation,
one 2008 Breast Cancer Award from U.S. Army
Medical Activity, for outstanding support of the
2008 Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Run;
and one from television show, “Army Wives,” for
support to cast and crew.
SHARON WASHINGTON, store director,
Hanscom AFB, Mass., commander’s coin
from mission support group commander for
selfless service and superior support of base
community; Deputy Commanding General Coin
for Excellence; Operation Iraqi Freedom coin
from Gerald Martin, Hanscom meatcutter, for
support during his deployment to Baghdad,
Iraq (see Page 53, “DeCA Warriors”).
Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service
JANET BERRY, USMA West Point, N.Y. (now HQ
DeCA, Va.)
Superior Civilian Service Award
PAMELA CROLL, HQ DeCA, Va.
GARY HENSLEY, Fort Benning, Ga.
59
RIGHT DOWN SANTA CLAUS
LANE: Bonnie Ramsey, grocery
manager at Fort Bragg South
Commissary, N.C., helps create a
holiday wonderland throughout
the store to delight customers.
See story, Pages 25-26. DeCA
photo: Rick Brink

DeCA Vision Winter 2009 Vol. 18, No.1

Transcription

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