Vets appreciate being appreciated

NW Passage Hog Director Michael Barnes talks about his lunch on Veterans Day.

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Story Published: Nov 12, 2009 at 11:45 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 12, 2009 at 11:45 PM PDT

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON - Their slogan is "Eatin' Good in the Neighborhood". On Wednesday Applebee’s let some eat free.

"I ordered a sirloin steak special," said U.S. retired Navy veteran Aubrey Hemming.

"I ordered a steak," said Northwest Passage Hog Director Michael Barnes. "They did good."

"Usually I'm not a big meat-eater because I try and keep my high school figure," said Hemming.

Wednesday was a good day to cheat on that diet and not just because someone else is picking up the tab.

Applebee's Restaurants nationwide honored veterans and those currently serving, with a free meal, something that drew the attention of many, including the local chapter of Northwest Passage Hog.

"All of us are vets," said Barnes. "I think it's real nice they did it."

Local Applebee's general manager Jim Piscitello is a veteran himself, serving from 1993 to 1996. He said the Hogs were among the first who served, to be served.

"We opened a little early, kind of unadvertised," said Piscitello. "We let them all filter in, and by 11:00 we were about full, about the time we open our doors usually."

Barnes said he wishes every day was like today for America's veterans. For Hemming, well, let's say he's gone a long way for a free steak.

"I served in Korea most of the time," said Hemming. "It was on ship most of the time, back and forth, forth and back."

"You can walk around and it's a story per table, so you can literally take an hour to walk the whole restaurant," said Piscitello. "All the stories from all the different branches of the service."

"You walk down the street anymore, and people are always saying where did you serve, what did you do, thank you for your service," said Hemming.

And as far as "thank you’s" go, Barnes said Wednesday's, though rare, was well-done.

"We're greatly appreciative of what they did," said Barnes. "The food was excellent, and I'd recommend them to anybody."

Happy Day Corporation also offered free meals and discounts to veterans Wednesday at their locations all over the Quad Cities.

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