Honoring Veterans With A Free Meal Certificate & Chance To Fly in a 1943 Fairchild PT-19

MASON, OH --  Last Saturday many restaurants and retailers honored our veterans with a special thank you in recognition of Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day. History shares that it was created as a U.S. legal holiday in 1938 to honor the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. Originally, it was holiday made to honor only World War I veterans. 

"In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word 'Armistice' and inserting the word 'Veterans.' With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars," explains Military.com on its website. 

To celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of the many U.S. veterans in the Warren County area, the Mason Texas Roadhouse gave veterans a certificate for a free meal that they could either use that day or at another time. And, along with the free meal, the veteran was given the opportunity to sign up for a drawing to win a 20 minute flight on a 1943 Fairchild PT-19 donated by the Butler County Warbirds. 

"We had 600 veterans stop by," noted Texas Roadhouse Store Marketer Skyler Olesevsky, adding that a name will be drawn for the winner of the flight later this week. 

As the veterans were entering the restaurant, they were greeted by the Mason Texas Roadhouse Owner/Operator Mike Woellert and his staff, as well as, students from Little Miami High School's ROTC program and the Texas Roadhouse Mascot Andy Armadillo. 

"I just want to serve my county," said Alexander Garcia, adding, "we're here because we want to help serve those who have served our country." 

Skyler Olesevsky thanks a veteran after checking his military ID and giving him his free meal certificate.

Vietnam Airforce Veteran Larry Johns of Lebanon noted that he's been coming to the Texas Roadhouse Veterans Day for a few years, but this was his first time at Mason's since it has only been open since August.

Texas Roadhouse has been doing this for 18 years explained Owner/Operator Woellert, explaining that..."Today is all about giving back. We love to give back to the community. And this is just one way for us to give back to everybody who has served for us."

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• Landsman Nominates 17 Warren County High School Students To Service Academies Twenty-seven SW Ohio high school students nominated from Congressman Landsman's office to service academies.