Military commissaries are highlighting energy-saving products during October as the Department of Defense observes National Energy Action Month.

Marcus Montague, store worker at Fort Sam Houston Commissary, Texas, was honored as one of 18 recipients of the 2020 Secretary of Defense Awards for Outstanding Department of Defense Employees and Service Members with Disabilities. The announcement was made Sept. 24, by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Dr. Theon Danet has been named executive director of the Defense Commissary Agency’s Information Technology Group effective Oct. 25.

Since 1996, the month of November has been designated to honor the service and sacrifices of military families as they support the careers of our nation’s service members. The Defense Commissary Agency acknowledges the unique commitment of military families and is proud to deliver a “well-deserved commissary benefit” to them, said Marine Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Saucedo, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director.

In honor of Veterans Day, the Army and Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard exchanges and Defense Commissary Agency are joining forces to salute the selfless service of all who have worn our Nation’s uniform.

November brings events acknowledging veterans and military families, and sales promotions helping commissary customers save plenty of money as they purchase the products for their Thanksgiving meals.

During the holidays, giving and receiving commissary gift cards has never been easier with “open value” cards – the kind that lets you set your own limit up to $300 – now available worldwide in commissaries, and at Navy Exchanges and Army and Air Force Exchanges.

Military commissaries will operate under a holiday schedule beginning Nov. 23, the Defense Commissary Agency announced.

Army Lt. Col. Angela Parham, the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of public health and safety, has seen her share of the worst virus outbreaks. During the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Parham deployed to Sierra Leone while serving a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service. There, she talked to family members and friends of Ebola victims, learning all she could about the impact of that horrific disease. Fast forward five years and Parham is with DeCA, helping the agency determine protective measures against COVID-19 for commissaries on installations with different requirements and evolving public health recommendations.

Bridget Bennett, supervisory category manager for produce at the Defense Commissary Agency in Fort Lee, Virginia, has been named one of only four winners of the first-ever Retail Merchant Innovation Awards by the Produce Marketing Association, during their annual Fresh Summit, held virtually Oct. 14.