Free meals and more for vets a growing tradition

With all of the celebration of veterans and the contribution they’ve made to our county, dozens of businesses across the Borderland are turning their words gratitude into action.

It’s become a Veterans Day tradition – restaurants and stores offering free meals and services to service men and women past and present. Some vets ABC-7 spoke with said the support has been increasing every year.

One of the veterans taking part in the deals – Anthony Snow, an army vet who served in Afghanistan.

“Out here to get some food,” Snow said in front of IHOP. “It’s Veterans Day.”

He’s made it a tradition to go out with friends and family every year for the holiday, and appreciates what it means.

“It’s not necessary,” Snow said. “It’s cool, but I’m definitely not going to say no to a free meal.”

But it hasn’t always been that way, with older vets seeing the change in attitudes over the years.

“It just recently started happening with Golden Corral,” said Tina French, who served in the Army National Guard and active duty army in the 90s. “They started it a while ago, and it’s progressed to more places.”

French said she served to continue a long tradition in her family, who now all appreciate this day and what it means.

“It just makes me feel real good,” French said. “I love seeing the outpour – output of support for our military members, past and present.”