With over 350 Golden Corral restaurants participating in the 2025 Military Appreciation Night, DAV members once again turned out in full force to honor veterans and spread the word about the services DAV provides—all while raising money for their departments and chapters.
Among those members was Paul Hermann, department adjutant for Louisiana, who has been involved in the event since 2017. Hermann, who served in the Air Force as an inventory manager, discovered DAV after being medically retired.
“Someone told me about DAV, and they helped me file my claim,” he said. “That changed my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without DAV.”
His experience led him to dedicate his post-service life to helping others navigate the same process, first as a DAV benefits advocate and later in his current department role.
Each year, Hermann and fellow DAV members set up tables at Golden Corral locations across the nation to greet veterans and share valuable information about DAV’s life-changing programs and services.
“It’s about getting the DAV name out there and letting veterans know who we are and what we do,” he said. “We talk to them about filing claims, benefits, and sometimes even things like getting veteran license plates or hunting licenses. It’s all about passing on information.”
During the 2025 event, Golden Corral served nearly 180,000 free meals to service members and is on track to raise over $1 million for DAV. Funds from the event help support department- and chapter-led initiatives, including the DAV Transportation Network, which provides veterans with no-cost rides to Department of Veterans Affairs medical appointments. The program is essential for those without their own means of transportation, especially in rural areas.
Thanks to Golden Corral’s dedication to the event over the past 24 years, veterans continue to join together and rekindle the fellowship they experienced during their time in service.
“You get veterans from all branches and eras together, sharing stories and helping one another. That’s what it’s all about,” Hermann said. “It’s another way to pay forward the support we once received. Helping even one veteran makes all the difference. That’s why we keep showing up—year after year.”
DAV chapters across the country took part in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night, meeting with veterans, raising support for DAV programs, and sharing information about the resources and services available to those who served.
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