C-Stores Honor Veterans, Active-Duty Military Today

CHICAGO -- The convenience industry—from retailers to suppliers—has a long history of supporting the United States military and its veterans. This Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is no different.

Click through to see how retailers, car-wash operators and suppliers are supporting our nation’s military … 

Brown Bear Car Wash is offering free “Bear Essentials” car washes at 23 tunnel wash locations to all current or former members of the military. Seattle-based Brown Bear will also donate $1 for every car washed Nov. 11 to Puget Sound Honor Flight. For the past two years, the company has donated more than $18,400 to support Honor Flight’s mission of transporting western Washington war veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C. 

Pilot Flying J, Knoxville, Tenn., will donate a portion of its proceeds, up to $25,000, from the sale of 20- and 24-ounce PhilMor travel coffee refills Nov. 11 to Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization known for remembering fallen heroes and honoring those who serve. Funds raised will go toward sponsoring a special section of the Arlington National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 17.

Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz is inviting all veterans and current members of the military to enjoy a free 6-inch turkey sub and a regular-size fountain drink at all Sheetz stores. All Sheetz locations that feature car-wash service will also offer veterans and active military a free car wash on Veterans Day.

Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America, operator of TA and Petro Stopping Centers branded travel centers, is honoring veterans with complimentary meals this Veterans Day. On Nov. 11, anyone who is a veteran of the armed forces and holds a CDL can receive a complimentary meal from a select menu, including a beverage, by simply showing proof of service to their server prior to ordering their meal at any participating TA or Petro sit-down restaurant nationwide.

Turkey Hill stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana are honoring America’s heroes by welcoming active, inactive and retired military personnel to stop by for a free 16-ounce coffee or cappuccino. Lancaster County, Pa.-based Turkey Hill will also offer military members a free Ultimate Wash service at locations where car washes are available. 

Duxbury, Mass.-based VERC Enterprises, a convenience store, Mobil/Gulf gasoline retailer and car-wash operator, will honor Veterans Day by offering military veterans a free car wash and wax.

On Friday, Nov. 11, all veterans coming to Briteway Car Washes in either Marshfield or Norwell, Mass., will receive “the whole shebang” top-tier car wash and wax, worth $22, for free.

Seed maker Bigs, Boulder, Colo., is donating 75,000 bags of seeds this Veterans Day to the United Services Organization, a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to U.S. service members and their families.