Claim: Restaurant chains are offering free meals to U.S. military personnel in conjunction with Veterans Day.
Origins: In recent years, some national restaurant chains have begun the practice of demonstrating appreciation for U.S. military personnel (both veterans and those on active duty) by offering them free meals in observance of Veterans Day (November 11). Here are a few of the chains that will be participating in such programs in 2009:
Applebee's is offering a free entree on Wednesday [November 11] to veterans and all active-duty military from 11 a.m. to midnight at all 1,900 locations. Although Applebee's requests some kind of military ID, "We're not going to argue with folks who might forget to bring it," says Sam Rothschild, senior vice president of operations.
For the 11th year in a row, 87 McCormick & Schmick's locations in 25 states are offering free entrees to veterans on Sunday [November 8]. The chain also requests military ID and highly recommends reservations. The promotion is on Sunday instead of Veterans Day, "because it allows vets to bring their families who might not be available during the week," CEO Bill Freeman says.
The 485-unit Golden Corral chain is offering free buffet meals — including beverage and dessert — to current military and vets on Monday, November 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. No military ID is required for its ninth annual Military Appreciation Monday, says Dolly Mercer, national events manager. The event is held on this date, she says, "so we don't interfere with Veterans Day activities."
Hy-Vee, a midwest supermarket chain, is offering a free buffet breakfast at all its locations that have in-store dining to veterans on November 11 between the hours of 7 and 11 a.m.
The Outback Steakhouse restaurant chain will also be offering a free Bloomin' Onion appetizer and beverage to all veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day, and outlets of the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation will be giving away free doughnuts to all veterans and active military personnel that day as well.
Last updated: 8 November 2009
The URL for this page is http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/veterans.asp
