Free Meals on 4 July

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Traveling over Independence Day?  Truck stop chains TA Travel Centers and Petro Truck Stops are offering free meals to active duty, reserve and veteran military members.  Eligible patrons may enjoy a free meal, up to $15 value.  Restaurants include Iron Skillet, Country Eatery, Fork in the Road, Country Fare, Buckhorn Restaurant, and other sit-down restaurants.  There are over 170 locations across the country, located near major interstates.  In 2012, more than 15,000 meals were served to veterans and active duty military service men and women on Independence Day.

Acceptable identification includes:


  • military ID

  • current Leave and Earnings Statement

  • veterans organization card

  • photograph in uniform

  • DD 214 discharge form

  • citation or commendation.


In conjunction with the free meals promotion, the travel centers will be collecting donations for the National Military Family Association's (NMFA) Operation Purple Programs.  Operation Purple Programs include summer camp for children with a deployed parent, Family Retreats for families with a servicemember recently returned from a deployment, and Healing Adventures for families with a wounded warrior.

I recommend you double check with the location you plan to patronize to ensure that they are participating and that there aren't any specifics for their location, such as restricted hours.  Don't forget to tip your servers on the pre-discount price, as they are working hard for you.  And, of course, say "thank you!"

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