Local businesses say thank you to veterans

Local businesses around the valley offered deals to veterans to say thank you on Veterans Day.

Sidewinder Grill in Desert Hot Springs served free turkey dinner all day to veterans. Angelo Avramidis owns the restaurant and he’s a veteran.

“They’re so grateful,” he said. “Grateful for me serving, for all the veterans that have served and all their loved ones.”

He spent a week preparing for this day and says it’s worth all the work.

“He recognizes veterans real well,” said veteran, William Newell. “I’m very proud of him.”

On the other side of the valley, Executive Carwash in Palm Desert offered free car washes for veterans.

“It’s crazy it’s awesome every year it gets better and better we’re doing about 50 cars an hour right now — donuts coffee, it’s incredible,” said owner, Stefan Mudry. “All the guys are incredible it’s so amazing.”

This is the car wash’s tenth year offering the free service, but Mudry says it’s not enough.

“Nothing is enough for what they’ve done for our country,” he said. “We wouldn’t be here if they didn’t do what they did.”

For veterans, it’s an honor.

“It’s wonderful to see this,” said veteran, William Muir. “It really is. I’ve been telling my old friends here we might have to go back in and get it straightened out.”

They say it’s important to remember, so we never forget.