Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night remains fixture for camaraderie, support

At the Golden Corral Military Appreciation Night in Dallas, Commander A.J. Jones of local DAV Chapter 32 (center) along with J.L. Benson (left) and Robert Benson (right) greet patrons and accept donations.
At the Golden Corral Military Appreciation Night in Dallas, Commander A.J. Jones of local DAV Chapter 32 (center) along with J.L. Benson (left) and Robert Benson (right) greet patrons and accept donations.

Army veteran Bob Santo and retired Air Force veteran Joe Calderone meet a few mornings a week to share coffee and catch up as longtime friends and fellow veterans. But the pair never served together in the military, in fact, their friendship didn’t begin until a chance encounter in 2001 at the inaugural Golden Corral Military Appreciation Night in Mesa, Ariz. The two have enjoyed this event together every year since.

“I don’t need anyone to give me a free meal—my wife is a pretty darn good cook,” said Calderone, who served from 1952 to 1974 before retiring. “But, this is about something else. It’s something where everybody can come enjoy it and be appreciated. When you sit there at a table you sit with people you don’t know, and everyone is talking to everybody.”

“It really is something that they [Golden Corral] continue to do this,” said Santo, who served in the Army from 1963 to 1965.

Golden Corral launched Military Appreciation Night as a way to thank active-duty service members and veterans for their service by offering them a free meal, and it has possibly become the largest annual nationwide veteran reunion in the country, serving over 300,000 veterans each year and over 5 million since its inception.

Over the past 16 years, the event has offered much more than a free “thank you” meal and trips down memory lane. Many of DAV’s chapters and departments look to this night as an opportunity to generate support to help sustain and raise awareness for its community service initiatives.

Adjutant of DAV Chapter 6 in Marietta, Ga., Richard Sestili knows the value of DAV’s services and understands the impact they have on a veteran’s life.

“It is inevitable on any given day or night that somebody will come to us and ask about our services,” said Sestili. “During this event, we are able to teach veterans about DAV.”

“The majority of those asking for help and receiving it from us are women veterans or widows of veterans,” he added. “It’s because of stories like this that we make such a concerted effort at Golden Corral during Military Appreciation Night.”

In addition to the five million free dinners for veterans Golden Corral has served since 2001, more than $12.9 million in donations have been raised at these events to support DAV’s local service programs throughout the nation. This year’s event helped raise over $1.4 million for departments and chapters.

“The entire Golden Corral system is very passionate about supporting our veterans and active-duty men and women, and we believe thanking them with a free dinner buffet is one way to show our immense appreciation for their service to our country,” said Lance Trenary, President and CEO of Golden Corral.

“Golden Corral was the first business in the country to provide free meals to veterans nationwide in recognition of their service,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “While others have followed their lead, this event is far and away the most productive of its kind in supporting veterans long after the event is over. The funds raised during this event generate momentum that aids in sustaining their mission of service and advocacy throughout the year. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.”

“We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with DAV, and we are very honored to have raised nearly $13 million for local and state chapters,” said Trenary. “We owe so much to those who have served and sacrificed for our country, and we know how critical it is that we support these brave Americans through the programs and services that DAV provides.”

In addition to honoring veterans with a free meal and raising funds, the evening’s festivities provide another valuable community service. Military Appreciation Night serves as a conduit for chapters nationwide to connect with veterans and engage with them about the no-cost services DAV offers.

Treasurer of DAV Chapter 43 in Asheville, N.C., Dave Tubergen credits the arrival of a Golden Corral restaurant in his neighborhood for improvements to his local chapter and their ability to serve veterans in the community.

“When Golden Corral moved into our community it was a godsend for us,” said Tubergen. “So far we have had two Military Appreciation Nights to work with, and they have been extremely productive for our local chapter. We have been able to put money down on a new van for our transportation network, make much-needed upgrades to our building, including handicapped commodities and reach more veterans through the awareness it brings in the community.”

“It warms my heart to be a part of this celebration of veterans,” said Gail Robinson, Adjutant of DAV Chapter 33 in Odenton, Md. “Every year we get to take the time to say thank you and to gather together and just enjoy spending time with our fellow veterans.”

Sestili said the night’s events are all about bringing people together, educating veterans about DAV and making a positive impact on their lives.

“You know you are making a difference when all of the Golden Corral customers—men and women, young and old—look at you directly in the eye, drop a dollar in the bucket and give you a heartfelt thank you.”