MOON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – Military members and their families are celebrated a milestone on Friday after a ground-breaking in Moon Township.

The 99th Regional Support Command in Moon Township is where big things are planned for those who serve our nation.

All branches of the military will benefit when a 43,000 square-foot commissary opens in Moon Township next year.

“They may see their family finances wiped out. Now, they’re in a situation where they have to find better ways to make ends meet. This commissary is so important for those reservist guardsman and active duty because it provides a great benefit of discounted groceries for them,” U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy said.

Rep. Murphy was instrumental in securing funding to build the new commissary after the BRAC Commission closed the Charles E. Kelly support facility six years ago.

“There was a lot of times when people thought this day was never going to come. We were going to lose the commissary. Instead of losing it, we not are going to have the best commissary anywhere in the country and it’s because of the work that went in to it,” Rep. Jason Altmire said.

When finished, the commissary will serve more than 168,000 military members, veterans, reservists and their families.

Sen. Bob Casey said on this day, he was reminded of something his father told him in 1991, the night before troops went to war in the Middle East.

“He said we pray for them but we pray for ourselves that we may be worthy of their valor. It’s always stayed with me that as an elected official I think you’ve got to try to to prove yourself worthy of the valor of our troops,” Sen. Casey said.

Savings for families at the commissary are as much as 30 percent and there could be an added boost for Allegheny County too.

“It serves the men and women who keep us free. So at the bottom line, we’re serving people who deserve all of our thanks and all of our appreciation for the freedom they provide,” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said.

The new commissary should be completed by November of 2013.

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