More than 40 SJ vets will receive special recognition on Armed Forces Day, a holiday that encourages people to thank military members for their patriot service.

On Saturday, May 19, seven South Jersey ShopRite Supermarkets will host luncheons for the veterans. With the help of local VFW locations, six veterans have been identified and invited to attend each store event for lunch and a recognition ceremony. Store Directors will act as emcees, presenting each veteran with a certificate of appreciation, as well as a $200 bank gift card, patriot floral arrangement, gourmet fruit and cheese basket, and Swarovski ornament bearing the inscription “Home of the Free, Because of the Brave.”

Storeowners Bruce and George Zallie and nearly 2,000 ShopRite associates have been hosting the luncheons for seven years. In addition to this year’s luncheon, all Zallie Supermarkets ShopRite stores will also offer active and retired military personnel, with proof of ID, a 5 percent discount on in-store purchases on May 19, as well as every Monday beginning May 21.

Stores hosting the luncheons and offering the military discount include ShopRite of Williamstown, ShopRite of Sicklerville, ShopRite of West Berlin, ShopRite of Glassboro, ShopRite of West Deptford, ShopRite of Chews Landing Road in Laurel Springs and ShopRite of Laurel Hill in Clementon.