Letter to The Honorable John McHugh Secretary of the Army

Letter

U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr., (NJ-06) and Rush Holt (NJ-12) Tuesday sent a letter to Army Secretary McHugh repeating a prior request that Fort Monmouth's commissary and post exchange remain in operation after the fort closes. Both facilities supply necessary affordable goods and services to the military community.

"We reiterate our request to keep these facilities open because the goods and services they provide are critically important to the larger military community in the region," said Pallone. "People have come to depend on these services and shouldn't have to travel further when Fort Monmouth closes. Keeping both of these facilities open will both save jobs and control costs moving forward."

"It is vital that these facilities be kept open to benefit the men and women who have committed their lives to military service for our country," said Holt.

August 17, 2010

The Honorable John McHugh
Secretary of the Army
Room 3E700 Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0101

Dear Mr. Secretary:

We write today to reiterate our request from May 2010 that the commissary and post exchange at Fort Monmouth stay in operation after the fort's closure.

Recent data we have acquired shows that, despite the announcement of Fort Monmouth's pending closure in 2005, total sales and transactions at the Fort Monmouth commissary have actually increased from $12,735,427.03 in 2006 to $13,001,350.88 in 2009. It is clear that this facility is vital to the local military retiree community, eligible veterans, Guard and Reserve members, and Navy and Coast Guard personnel stationed in the region.

Moreover, the Defense Commissary Association's (DeCA) own data clearly show that the demand for the commissary's services and products has only grown over the past several years. Closing these facilities would deprive the constituents described above of easy access to the high-quality, affordable goods and services they have earned through their service to our nation. We do not feel that it is acceptable to ask our military constituency to travel a great distance to other New Jersey military bases to utilize these services. It is crucial that these facilities be kept open to benefit the men and women who have committed their lives to military service for our country.

We appreciate your attention to this to important matter. We look forward to working with you on this, and other, issues of importance to military families in New Jersey.

Sincerely,

FRANK PALLONE, JR.
RUSH HOLT

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