Sweet treats, top quality meats and manly gifts Published June 7, 2007 By Kevin Robinson Defense Commissary Agency FORT LEE, Va. -- The month of June offers lots of reasons to celebrate - it's the end of school for the children, the beginning of summer vacation, and the third Sunday of this month is set aside to honor the very best dads in the world! It's a well-known fact, even if it is a well-worn phrase, the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So look to your commissary - and savings of 30 percent or more - for all the ingredients you'll need to cook a feast fit for the king in your house, as well as for a super Father's Day gift to go along with it. Ribs and steaks, grilled to perfection, top the list of Father's Day favorite meals, with the king himself doing the grilling in many households. If you know for a fact you'll never be able to wrestle those long-handled tongs and spatulas away from him, then let him at it! Kings do have a duty to protect their kingdoms, you know. Just be sure to check your commissary's fresh meat counter for specially priced favorites from burgers to T-bones, rib eyes, and porterhouse steaks. If dad's original concoctions of seasonings leave a bit to be desired, check the spice aisle for seasonings especially made for grilling, and pay a visit to the Kay's Kitchen page at http://www.commissaries.com for recipes and grilling tips. Your dad's not a griller, you say? Then maybe he's a flashlight freak. The dad in my house sure is. We must have at least one of every model ever made, but we could always use one or two more. Just in time for Father's Day, your commissary is offering two lantern-type flashlights that look like they could illuminate half a city block, plus one heavy-duty model with a sturdy handle attached to a swivel stand. You can carry it around, or let it sit and point. But, that's not all - it also floats. I can see right now, there are at least two more flashlights in my future. But that's okay, any of these flashlights are hands-down winners compared to the typical "creative tie" gifts dad graciously suffers most years. Whatever meal or gift you choose, let the Chocolate Cherry Sundae Cake (recipe below) be the grand finale of your celebration. With only four ingredients, and very simple mixing and baking required, it's a contribution the kids can make themselves. But, be forewarned, once you taste it, you'll be asking them to make it again and again. Happy Father's day to you and yours, and I'll see you soon at the commissary! Chocolate Cherry Sundae Cake Cake 1 package Devil's Food cake mix 1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure almond extract Topping 1 container refrigerated whipped topping Maraschino cherries with stems Chocolate syrup Chopped pecans 1. Place rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Lightly mist a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set pan aside. 2. Place all cake ingredients into large mixing bowl and beat with electric mixer on low for 1 minute. Stop the machine and scrape down the beaters and sides of bowl with rubber spatula. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes more. The batter should look very thick and well-blended. Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place pan in oven. 3. Bake the cake for 30 - 35 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. To serve, cut cake into squares. Top each square with a generous dollop of whipped topping, center a maraschino cherry on top, drizzle with chocolate syrup, and sprinkle lightly with chopped pecans.