Commissary reopens during shutdown

  • Published
  • By Airman Dillian Bamman
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The Moody Commissary resumed normal operating hours Oct. 8 after it closed on Oct. 2 due to the federal government shutdown.

The government shutdown occurred when Congress was unable to reach an agreement on a spending bill for fiscal 2014, which resulted in the commissary's closure.

"We're glad to be back in business," said Royden Hunnewell, Moody Commissary manager. "We're bound by Department of Defense directives and policies, so we were affected by the trickle-down effect. I'd like to think that we'd not have anything else like this happen again."

In addition to the commissary closing, many civilian personnel on Moody were furloughed due to the government shutdown.

"With the commissary closing, not only were service members affected, but also retired service members and civilians working on base," said Hunnewell. "They rely on the commissary to support their families."

Forty-three men and women were working at the commissary before it closed; however, most have since returned to work.

"We have single parents who work here who rely on that paycheck to sustain their lives," said Hunnewell. "It is quite devastating when they're sent home."

Some commissary employees feel they are helping the Moody mission through doing their part.

"When a military member gets deployed, I believe they feel comforted that the commissary is open to their families at home," said Hunnewell.

One Moody Commissary customer agreed with Hunnewell on the importance of the commissary to families, service members and retirees.

"I'm glad I can start coming here again," said Skip Meade, Moody Commissary customer. "It is a relief to me and my family."