Stater Bros. Stores Will Observe Memorial Moment of Silence

The will be one of 167 Stater Bros. supermarkets in Southern California to cease operations for a moment of silence today to honor members of the U.S. armed forces who died serving their country.

"Memorial Day was originally established to commemorate America's fallen men and women,'' said Stater Bros. Chairman Jack H. Brown, a Navy veteran. "Stater Bros. would like to do our part to remind our customers and employees that this is still a sacred and noble holiday and a time when we can all connect as Americans.''   

At exactly 3 p.m. today, managers at each of the Inland Empire-based chain's stores will ask shoppers to stand quietly for 60 seconds to pay homage.

Brown served with the Pacific Fleet aboard the U.S.S. Interceptor and the U.S.S. General J.C. Breckinridge. Following his honorable discharge in 1962, he rose through the ranks of the supermarket industry and has been at the helm of Stater Bros. Supermarkets for more than 30 years.

On Feb. 26, Brown was one of 45 Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients. Past recipients include Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Will Rogers, Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and others.

Under Brown’s leadership, Stater Bros. has established a long history of support for the Armed Forces and the United States Military Operations, according to a news release. Stater Bros. was the first to announce protection for the jobs of the more than 200 members of the Stater Bros. supermarket family who were called to active duty, by continuing to pay their weekly wages minus Military pay as well as the medical, dental and vision benefits for their families.

Congress established the "National Moment of Remembrance'' by resolution in December 2000 as a way to promote national unity and remind Americans of the meaning of Memorial Day.  

Along with Military installations, sports venues throughout the country are expected to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance. The Congressional resolution asks Americans, wherever they are, to pause at 3 p.m. local time "and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect.''   

City News Service contributed to this report