Dollar General Honored with 2010 Freedom Award

July 08, 2010

Retailer recognized for its support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (BUSINESS WIRE), July 08, 2010 - Dollar General Corp. (NYSE: DG) has been selected as a 2010 recipient of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The company is one of 15 employers receiving the award in 2010. Instituted in 1996 under then Secretary of Defense William Perry, it is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

“Dollar General is honored to be named into this elite group of companies that support employees and their families who serve our country,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “At Dollar General, we consider it our duty and privilege to support the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country. We would like to dedicate this award to all of our employees who are active military members or veterans.”

Dollar General was selected from almost 2,500 employers that were nominated by Guard and Reserve members, or their family members, from across the country for exceptional support, which included providing full salary, continuation of benefits, care packages and even family support to employees fulfilling their military obligation. On behalf of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a National Selection Board comprising senior defense officials, business leaders and prior Freedom Award recipients selected the 2010 Freedom Award honorees. The Freedom Award will be presented to these employers during a formal ceremony Thursday, September 23, 2010, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

About Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 70 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!(R) by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With 8,965 stores in 35 states as of April 30, 2010, Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills, Nabisco, Hanes, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.

About ESGR and the Freedom Award

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 whose mission is to develop and promote employer support for Guard and Reserve service by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between employers and service members. Since 1996, only 130 companies have been presented with the prestigious Freedom Award. For more information, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil.