Truck stops offer meals, thanks on Veterans Day

Major truck stop chains in the U.S. plan to salute U.S. military veterans on Veterans Day – Thursday, Nov. 11 – by giving them a free meal.

TravelCenters of America

TravelCenters of America Inc., Westlake, Ohio-based nationwide operator of the TA Travel Centers, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express travel center network, invites all active-duty military, veterans and reservists to enjoy a complimentary meal on Veterans Day at participating quick-service restaurants and at Country Pride and Iron Skillet locations nationwide.

Anyone who has served in the armed forces can receive a complimentary meal of their choice by showing proof of service to their restaurant server before ordering. Proof of service includes U.S. Uniformed Services ID card, current leave and earnings statement, veterans organization membership card, photograph in uniform, DD214 form, a citation or commendation.

Meal values are limited to $15 for meals at Country Pride or Iron Skillet restaurants or $12 at quick-service restaurants.

Guests may also see Fallen Soldier Tables on display at some Country Pride or Iron Skillet restaurants on Veterans Day. This single place setting at an empty table is meant to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen military personnel.

Pilot Co.

Pilot Co. offers a free meal on Veterans Day to veterans authenticated with ID.me and enrolled in Pilot’s myRewards app.

Authenticated veterans get a $10 meal credit to purchase coffee, fountain drinks, nonalcoholic cooler beverages, snacks, hot and cold food items, or food purchased at more than 680 quick-service restaurants.

The discount is available to be redeemed at any of the company’s owned and operated U.S. locations, including over 750 participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers.

Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot Co. uses ID.me, a group verification solution, so service members to quickly verify their eligibility in the myRewards Plus app. Once authenticated, service members automatically receive a year-round 10% discount on food and beverages when using myRewards Plus at checkout.

Love’s Travel Stops

Love’s Travel Stops is offering food and drink deals on Veterans Day and also making a contribution to the nonprofit Operation Homefront, which provides assistance to military families.

On Nov. 11, veterans or current members of the military can get a free roller grill item and fountain drink or coffee with the purchase of one roller grill item at participating locations, according to a news release.

In addition, when customers purchase a 24-ounce, special edition Operation Homefront tumbler throughout the month of November, $5 from the sale will go to the nonprofit organization, while supplies last.

Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Love’s said in a news release that it would donate $150,000 to Operation Homefront.

Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, rent-free housing, caregiver support and recurring support programs throughout the year to help military families overcome the short-term bumps in the road, so they don’t become long-term chronic problems. Ninety percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go directly to programs that help military families.

Truckers for Troops

OOIDA’s 15th annual Truckers for Troops campaign is the week of Veterans Day. Truckers for Troops campaign is set to begin Monday, Nov. 8, and run through the start of business on Monday, Nov. 15.

The campaign raises funds for the Veterans Community Project. Here are the details. LL