Veterans Canteen Service celebrates 75 Years with special deals

Established Aug. 7, 1946, and staffing its first locations the following year, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) has provided merchandise and services as a benefit to Veterans who are hospitalized or domiciled in VA facilities.

In recognition of 75 years of service, VCS is holding a weeklong jubilee in which VCS employees will celebrate this special anniversary with fun decorations, attire and more.

VCS was established by an act of Congress in 1946. The law stated “…the Service shall function as an independent unit in the Veterans’ Administration and shall have exclusive control over all its activities…”

For VCS’s devoted and enthusiastic patrons, more festivities are planned at the local Canteens. Take part in the fun by visiting the Canteen the week of Aug. 2 for special deals and discounts in the PatriotStore and PatriotCafe, and enjoy collaborating with the staff as they celebrate. Each day that first week of August will feature a new deal in the Canteen. Friday, Aug. 6 will feature a themed deal in retail stores in which customers will get 25% off one item priced $10 or higher.

The celebration extends to online shopping, as well. All existing ShopVCS.com customer accounts will receive a $10 credit in their existing account. This credit will be added Aug. 7, the day of the birthday. Veterans and VA staff who don’t have a ShopVCS account can sign up for free at www.ShopVCS.com. In addition to the $10 credit, there will be deals across the site with a bonus discount applied in cart, as well as Mega Deals – deeply discounted top sellers from brands like Oakley, Ray-Ban, Danner Boots, Vortex Optics, Garmin and more. And if you’re looking to book that vacation soon, ShopVCS will also offer a $15-off coupon code on a purchase of $250 or more for ticket/travel deals only, making travel more enticing than ever.

In 75 years, VCS has grown to over 200 locations and an online retail presence; however, VCS exists to serve Veterans, their families and VA employees. These deals in local PatriotStores, PatriotCafés, and ShopVCS.com are made with deep appreciation for the customers who support VCS.

An associate in the VCS PatriotCafe in Lake Nona, Fla. Serves a customer.

The support of customers allows VCS to give back revenues generated beyond operating costs to VA programs and organizations, improving the lives of Veterans. VCS has donated over $58 million to the National Rehabilitation Games, Beds for Vets, suicide prevention, drug abuse cessation, women Veterans, Medical Center Director promotional funds, and many more important programs in the last five years. As it has been the mission of VCS for 75 years, Veterans always come first, and improving Veteran health and well-being will remain the focus of VCS for the next 75 years.

VCS is focused on welcoming back Veterans, their families and their caregivers to VA campuses across the nation. As we celebrate this major anniversary through Aug. 7, 2021, we encourage you to share your VCS experiences on social media with the hashtag #VCS75

All deals are at participating Canteens in VA Medical Centers, and selections may vary. ShopVCS customer accounts must be created before Aug. 7 to receive the $10 credit.