In what has become an annual tradition, Applebee’s will again thank our nation’s veterans and troops by inviting them to their neighborhood Applebee’s for a free signature entrée on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2011.

CalVet will work with Applebee’s on that day by providing brochures containing information important to veteran families. The brochures, available at all 52 California Applebee’s locations on Veterans Day, contain a simple, postage-paid form with which veterans and veteran families can request CalVet assistance in getting connected to the state and federal benefits they have earned through military service.

“We’re grateful to Applebee’s for letting us reach out to veterans during their Veterans Day event,” said CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett. “Only a small percentage of eligible California veterans are taking advantage of important benefits. CalVet is working to change that. Those benefits and others can help veterans and their families successfully move forward after military life,” he said. “We want nothing less for those who served and sacrificed for our country.”

Guests wanting to take advantage of Applebee’s free entrée offer will need to provide proof of service, which includes: U.S. Uniform Services ID Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired ID Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform, DD214, Citation or Commendation.

For more information about CalVet’s efforts to reach and assist California veterans, contact Carolyn Ballou at (916) 653-1355 or carolyn.ballou@calvet.ca.gov. For more information about Applebee’s “Thank You” to veterans and troops, contact Derek Farley at (704) 941-7353, derek@dfpr.com.