Published: 11/17/2009

Applebee's restaurants serve 5,000 on Island to mark Veterans Day

Monday, November 16, 2009
By MAURA GRUNLUND
Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- About 5,000 current and former military personnel received free meals on Veterans Day on Staten Island at Applebee's restaurants in Charleston, New Dorp, Graniteville and New Springville.

Nationwide, Applebee's served about 1 million free meals on Veterans Day. In the five boroughs of New York City, the 33 Applebee's fed about 25,000 active-duty members and veterans.

"It's important to say thank you to those who let us sleep at night, who are presently protecting our country and who have served gallantly in the past," said Zane Tankel, chairman and CEO of Apple-Metro, which owns the New York City Applebee's franchises.

"Our staff was really enthused and honored to serve them."

Frank Coppola Jr. of Annadale, who served in Korea, e-mailed the Advance to express his appreciation for the free steak meal with all the trimmings that he ate at the Applebee's in Charleston.

Coppola shared a table with his wife, Sharon, and their friend Jean Santangelo of Richmond.

"The general manager Tom Mazzarese took time from his busy day to say how much the veterans are appreciated," Coppola said.

"I must give Applebee's two thumbs up for thinking of us and sharing their kindness.

"I think that's a nice thing that Applebee's did, honoring each individual veteran with a meal," Mrs. Coppola said.

Military personnel/veterans could select from six of Applebee's top menu items. The most popular order nationwide, placed by more than 410,000 current/former military personnel, was for the 7-ounce house sirloin. In second place, with 250,000 orders, was a firepit bacon cheeseburger.

Tankel said it was gratifying to see veterans from various wars such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and the current battles in Iraq and Afghanistan sitting together, comparing their stories.

"The emotional fulfillment was more than worth it," Tankel said, adding that Applebee's received many heartfelt thank-yous, both verbal and in writing.

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