Free sandwiches for vets
Published 10:35 pm Tuesday, August 23, 2016
That Good BBQ owner Barry Day, right, and worker “Bounce” Silver show off more than 150 receipts on the wall representing sandwiches that have been donated for Vietnam veterans to enjoy on Sept. 7.
A local restaurant and the community are pitching in to get every Vietnam veteran a free lunch on Sept. 7.
That Good BBQ owner Barry Day wasn’t old enough to serve in Vietnam, but he remembers he and his family being treated after he returned form serving in the U.S. Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was quite a different reception for returning Vietnam veterans, he noted.
“We were treated good, and the Vietnam veterans weren’t,” Day said.
He said he thought the free lunch giveaway was “something that needed to be done.”
For the past couple of weeks, Day has been collecting paid contributions of $5.85 per sandwich. The business provided the first 40 sandwiches, and more than 110 others so far have stepped up to purchase sandwiches for veterans.
On Sept. 7, Vietnam veterans will be able to collect their free sandwiches. Day is collecting donations for the sandwiches until Sept. 3, and veterans should reserve their sandwiches between Sept. 3 and Sept. 7 by stopping by the restaurant and picking up a receipt for a paid sandwich.
If any are left on Sept. 7, the sandwiches will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to all Vietnam veterans.
“It’s probably a little late, but better late than never,” Day said of the gesture to Vietnam veterans. “We’re hoping that we give all the receipts away.”
Day said he has contacted several veterans’ organizations to make sure they are aware of the opportunity.
He looks forward to hosting the veterans on Sept. 7.
“We’d like to see a bunch of them in here,” Day said. “I think it would be great to have a bunch of veterans here telling stories and the camaraderie.”
Day noted that the free sandwich is for veterans only, and they must pick up their own sandwiches.
Donors can note on the receipt someone they are honoring with their donation of a free sandwich, Day said. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from every sandwich will go to a local veterans’ organization.
For more information or to purchase a sandwich for a veteran, visit www.thatgoodbbq.com or call 539-0400. The restaurant is located at 239 W. Washington St.
