WESTLAKE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TravelCenters of America LLC (TravelCenters), operator of the TA® and Petro Stopping Centers® travel center brands, invites all active duty military, veterans and reservists with proof of service to enjoy a complimentary meal on Independence Day, Friday, July 4, 2014, at any participating TA or Petro sit-down restaurants nationwide. Independence Day meals can be enjoyed at more than 170 participating Iron Skillet®, Country Pride® and other full-service, home-style restaurants within TA and Petro locations.
Guests are also invited to participate in a charity drive for the National Military Family Association’s® Operation Purple® Program at participating TA and Petro full-service restaurants from June 30-July 1. Donations will be accepted for paper flags that will be displayed in the restaurants. Guests may write their own name on the flag or write in the name of military service personnel they wish to honor with the donation. The National Military Family Association provides services to families in the different phases of military life – deployment, reintegration, and coming together after an injury.
“We are again honoring our service 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 experience for everyone,” continued O’Brien.
This July 4, any veteran, activity duty or reservist from the military can receive a complimentary meal of their choice (up to a $15 value) by simply showing proof of service to their server prior to ordering their meal.
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.
This is the third year that TravelCenters is honoring military with free meals in its restaurants on Independence Day. TravelCenters has served more than 21,000 free meals to veterans and active duty military service men and women in the last two years. This is the second year that TravelCenters is supporting the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple Program.
About TravelCenters of America LLC
TravelCenters of America LLC (TravelCenters), headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, is a leading travel center business in 43 states and Canada operating under the TA® and Petro Stopping Centers® brands. With 250 convenient 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 many other services – all within large, high traffic facilities. TravelCenters also operates gasoline/convenience stores in Kentucky and Tennessee under the Minit Mart brand name. For more information on TravelCenters and TA, please visit www.tatravelcenters.com. For more information on Petro Stopping Centers, please visit www.petrotruckstops.com.
About the National Military Family Association
For more than 40 years, the National Military Family Association® has been the leading 501(c)(3) charity for families of all ranks and Services. The Association helps families of combat-weary service members, optimistic children anxiously awaiting a parent’s return, spouses seeking education to better their families or prepare for the unthinkable, widows coping with loss, and proud parents of single service members. The non-profit resolves challenges for families and guides them to a better place. More information can be found at www.militaryfamily.org.
About Operation Purple
The National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple® camps give military children a break from wartime tension at home, friends to confide in, coping skills to handle mom or dad’s absence, and some fun to offset the extra responsibilities in their complicated young lives. Operation Purple family retreats help families reconnect and heal after wartime separation. Some retreats are specially designed for families of the wounded, as they rebuild bonds and find a new way forward.
