April Commissary Sale Benefits Special Funds

Commissary shoppers who purchase sponsoring brands April 7- 20 will contribute indirectly to either "Wall South," a Vietnam Memorial on the waterfront in Pensacola, Fla., or "Investing in America," a scholarship program for children of military personnel. Manufacturers have already committed nearly $100,000 in advance and could donate up to $400,000 depending on product sales, said Randy Chandler of the agency Marketing Business Unit.

Contributions raised from commissary sales in the Southern, Central, Midwest, Northeast and European regions of DeCA are earmarked for "Wall South." A scale version of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, "Wall South" was established in 1992 and is now the third largest tourist attraction in Northwest Florida, said Foundation Chairman Nelson Wellborn. "Nearly 50 percent of the names on the memorial are from the South," he noted. It is also the only permanent Vietnam veterans memorial outside of Washington.

Contributions from the Southwest and Northwest Pacific regions will go to seed "Investing in America." According to Joseph Halsted, event coordinator, volunteers held fund raisers for 10 years before interest on the fund was great enough to make two $2,500 awards last year. Halsted hopes the DeCA promotion will raise significant seed money to fund at least four $5,000 "Investing in America" scholarships per year. Plans call for candidates to be chosen through installation chaplain offices, said Halsted.

Note to editors: Check with your commissary officer to see which promotion (based on region) applies to your installation.