WESTLAKE, Ohio --TravelCenters of America LLC, operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands, is inviting all active-duty military, veterans and reservists with proof of service to enjoy a complimentary meal on Independence Day, Saturday, July 4, 2015, at any participating TA or Petro sit-down restaurants nationwide.
Those eligible can receive meals (up to a $15 value) at more than 170 participating Iron Skillet, Country Pride and other full-service, home-style restaurants within TA and Petro locations. Proof of service includes U.S. uniform services ID card or retired ID card; current leave and earnings statement; veterans organization card; photograph in uniform; DD214; or citation or commendation.
Customers also are invited to participate in a charity drive for the National Military Family Association’s (NMFA) Operation Purple Program at participating TA and Petro full-service restaurants from July 1 to July 4. The staff will accept donations from customers on behalf of the NMFA. The restaurants will display paper flags commemorating each donation, and customers may write their own name or the name of military service personnel they wish to honor on the donation flag.
“It is an honor to acknowledge the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country by inviting them to our restaurants to share a meal,” said Tom O’Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters. “We will also be honoring all of those who gave their life defending our country by preparing Fallen Soldier Tables at our restaurants. A single place setting at an empty table represents the wish that fallen men and women of our armed forces could be present to dine with us. Having set these tables on patriotic days over the last few years in our restaurants, employees at our sites have seen and shared in the emotion and memories of those who lost friends and loved ones while serving. It’s a moving and special experience for everyone.”
This is the fourth year that TravelCenters is honoring military with free meals in its restaurants on Independence Day. TravelCenters has served more than 30,000 free meals to veterans and active duty military service men and women in the past three years. This is the third year that TravelCenters is supporting the NMFA’s Operation Purple Program.
TravelCenters of America, Westlake, Ohio, is a leading travel center business in 43 states and Canada operating under the TA and Petro Stopping Centers brands. With 255 full-service locations off interstate highway exits, TA and Petro Stopping Centers offer customers diesel and gasoline fueling services, more than 500 full- and quick-service restaurants, 24-hour convenience stores, heavy-truck maintenance services, RoadSquad Connect 24/7/365 emergency roadside service, Reserve-It truck parking reservations and other services within large, high-traffic facilities. TravelCenters also operates gas stations and convenience stores under the Minit Mart brand name.
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