Unfortunately, in my opinion, the commercialization of this holiday has made it lose some of it's meaning and has contributed to some people perceiving veterans in a negative light.Sometimes I wonder if we look like hungry, food grubbing, ungrateful little snots.

More than once have I witnessed dependents of service members complain about not getting their meal free. More than once I watched a group of active duty military harass their waitress, leave a mess, and not even tip the poor girl. More than once I personally heard fellow veterans brag about how they restaurant hopped all over town to get as much free stuff as possible.

Don’t get me wrong, I am absolutely thankful for the free meal.However, I think there are more impactful ways for businesses to show their support and give thanks for our service. Imagine how much money could be raised if EVERY Veterans Day the businesses gave even 10% of each meal purchased to a charity that is actually making a far-reaching difference in the lives of those who have served. Wouldn't keeping a Purple Heart recipient in his home and off the streets be a better way to say thanks? Or perhaps providing scholarships to children of fallen patriots might be a better way to say, “Thank you for your sacrifice, we will support your children in your absence.”

I would much rather not get a free meal and eat at an establishment that pledges to make a donation to a local veteran organization. Or even if they gave 50% off to the Veteran and the other 50% to the organizations that support them.

I feel like SOMETHING needs to be done,but can you imagine the outcry if they stopped offering free things on Veterans Day? Where is the outcry that vets are still waiting for long over-due benefits from the Veteran's Administration? Lord knows I think that deserves some outrage, yet we aren't even holding a government organization accountable. A full belly is appreciated, but those dollars could stretch a lot further than just one meal... to fund services to benefit the vet as a whole.

On November 11th, I did enjoy a free meal. And then I went home and donated the amount that I would have spent on that purchase to a veteran charity I support. I challenge EVERYONE who received a free coffee and donut, a free appetizer, or an entire free meal… to donate the cost of your "donated product" to a veteran's organization or military charity of your choice.

Also, sign this petition to encourage businesses to pledge donations of the cost of the Veteran's "donated product" to a local veteran's organization or military charity of their choice. Even if they gave 50% off to the Veteran and the other 50% to the organizations that support them, it would make a world of a difference!

Featured on:

http://www.manykindregards.com/ThisVeteranAppreciatesTheFreeMeal

http://thankyouforyourservice.us/issue/november-2014-happy-thanksgiving/article/this-veteran-appreciates-the-free-meal-but-perhaps-it-should-stop-by-spc-jessica-linville

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