Stater Bros. Charities Announces Colonel Joseph C. Rodriguez Memorial to be Unveiled at Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino, California

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091007/LA89260LOGO)

"It is my honor to chair the 'Friends of Colonel Joseph Rodriguez Committee' and to pay homage to this brave American hero," said Jack H. Brown, Committee Chairman as well as the Chairman and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets. "The 6-foot by 3-foot memorial, which will be unveiled at Colonel Rodriguez's gravesite, tells his remarkable life story and will help us to reflect and remember that we live in freedom today because of his selfless courage. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dignity Memorial and Mountain View Cemetery for their generous contributions."

Born and raised in San Bernardino, Joseph Rodriguez graduated from both San Bernardino High School and San Bernardino Valley College. He was drafted into the Army in the fall of 1950. By 1951, he was a Private First Class assigned to Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. That same year, during an assault north of the village of Munye-ri, Korea, he single-handedly helped secure a strategic strong point while under heavy fire and saved the lives of his squad members.

For his heroic actions, Joseph Rodriguez was presented with the "Medal of Honor" by President Harry Truman on January 29, 1952.

During his 30 year career with the Army, Joseph Rodriguez was commissioned as an officer, rising to the rank of Colonel, and was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He retired from the Army in 1980 as a Colonel and passed away on November 1, 2005.

About Stater Bros. Charities

Since 1936, Stater Bros. Markets has been a pillar of support in the community. Last year, the company established Stater Bros. Charities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The purpose of Stater Bros. Charities is to give back to the communities Stater Bros. Markets is privileged to serve. In 2008, Stater Bros. Charities donated $1.4 million to local causes. With an emphasis on programs that benefit hunger relief, children's welfare, education for both youth and adults, services for the elderly and care for our Nation's Veterans, Stater Bros. Charities will be able to help with some of the most critical needs facing this region.

STATER BROS. CHARITIES PROVIDES PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT TO APPROVED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

    Contact:
    Susan Atkinson
    President, Stater Bros. Charities
    909-733-5038