Veterans and active-duty military can grab a free sandwich this week at Mission BBQ, 1926 Gunbarrel Road.
To celebrate Armed Forces Week, May 13-18, the restaurant chain will offer a free thank-you sandwich to members of a different branch of the military each day: the Army on Monday, Marine Corps on Tuesday, Navy on Wednesday, Air Force on Thursday and Coast Guard on Friday.
On Saturday, free sandwiches will be available to all veterans and military personnel during "Lunch With the Heroes" from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers may want to time their visit to midday, so they can sing along to the national anthem, which is played every day at noon.
"We are truly indebted to the service and sacrifice all our service members have made to our country and wish to pay tribute to each branch of the military throughout this momentous week," said a news release from the company, which operates restaurants in 16 states.
Armed Forces Day falls on the third Saturday of May. Chattanooga's observance, which includes a parade and luncheon, is held earlier in the month to allow students from area high schools to participate with their ROTC units.
Mission BBQ opened for business on Sept. 11, 2011, 10 years after the terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States.
"We believe there is nothing more American than BBQ. And nobody more American than the brave men and women who have sworn to protect and serve our communities and our country," the news release said. "We do what we do for the love of our soldiers, firefighters, police officers and first responders - all our loved ones in service."
For more information, visitmission-bbq.com.