TravelCenters of America Honoring Military Members With Meals and Donation Drive to Support Military Families
WESTLAKE, Ohio, June 20, 2013 – 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, July 4, 2013, 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.
“We seek to honor the service by the men and women who have valiantly fought for our country by inviting them into our restaurants to share a meal. We recognize that they sacrifice personal and family time doing what needs to be done to keep America safe,” said Tom O’Brien, President and CEO of TravelCenters. “We know that about one-third of drivers in the trucking industry are military veterans. Not only did they serve our country in the armed forces, they continue to serve by ensuring the safe and reliable transport of goods across the country; often times away from their families for days and weeks at a time.”
In 2012, TravelCenters served meals to more than 15,000 veterans and active duty military service men and women on Independence Day. This year, the company is offering its guests the opportunity to support the National Military Family Association’s® Operation Purple® Program.
“We invite all of our guests to participate in the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple Program, donating what they can,” said John Ponczoch, Senior Vice President of Restaurant Operations. This valuable organization provides services to families in the different phases of military life – deployment, reintegration and coming together after an injury.”
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. Customers can make donations to Operation Purple at participating TA and Petro locations.
About TravelCenters of America LLC
TravelCenters of America LLC (TravelCenters), headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, is a leading travel center business in 42 states and Canada operating under the TA® and Petro Stopping Centers® brands. With 247 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. 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.