Murrieta Stater Bros. to Observe Moment of Silence Monday

The will be among 167 Stater Bros. supermarkets in Southern California to observe a moment of silence Monday 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. Monday, managers at each of the Inland Empire-based chain's stores will ask shoppers to stand quietly for 60 seconds to pay homage.

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. A 2010 survey commissioned by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans found that 80 percent of respondents had only "little" or "some" knowledge of why the day is observed.

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