A 98-year-old war veteran does the same thing every day; he visits his local Arby’s fast food restaurant and orders the same meal.
There’s hardly a day that goes by that the employees at the fast-food restaurant don’t see the meat lover walking into the establishment for his “regular” order.
Staff got to know the World War II veteran Doug and wanted to find out more about the man who showed up at their place of work every day.
When they heard his story and found out more about this war hero, they did something so special, it touched the hearts of the nation.
At 98 years old, World War II veteran Doug knows what he likes. He always orders his ”regular” meal each day: a roast-beef slider with Swiss and a senior drink… Coke with no ice.
Because the veteran has become such a staple for the Chandler, Arizona restaurant, some employees decided they wanted to know more about him.
The employees took a moment out of their busy lives to sit down and ask Doug a few pointed questions:
“Hey, Mr. Doug, we just want to know what keeps you coming back to this Arby’s location?”, according to Fox 7.
Although the staff expected a response that would be fun like how Arby’s knows how to serve meat that he likes, Doug came back with a comment that reminded the employees how short life can be and to appreciate every little thing we have while it is still here with us – because it could all go away tomorrow.
The struggling war veteran said that the Chandler Arby’s location was “the only place I can get a sandwich or get something or anything else to eat that doesn’t hurt my stomach.”
Because of his stomach problem, Doug orders the same thing every day and sits at the same table to eat it.
Employee Travis Coye said: “He has a stomach disorder. This is, unfortunately, the only thing he can eat.”
Another employee, restaurant manager Christina Garnage, told Fox News:
“He comes in with a walker, and as soon as we see him come to the doors, we try (to) grab the doors for him.”
Christina then added that when she started working at the restaurant about 32 months ago, Doug started making it part of his daily routine shortly thereafter.
Christina said Doug has been visiting the same Arby’s nearly every day for over two years.
“He’s gone through a lot being a veteran, coming in, being in a retirement home, but he doesn’t have family,” she said.
Staff decided they wanted to do something for Doug, who risked his life serving his country during World War II, so gave him a $200 gift card.
Call day or night
“He was shocked, hardly had anything to say,” another manager said.
As Doug doesn’t have his own family support network staff gave him their cell numbers and said he could call day or night.
They would even deliver his favorite meal to his door if he couldn’t make it to the restaurant.
But now the manager has made an offer that Doug cannot refuse – Arby’s decided to give Doug food for life, which will kick in once he uses up that gift card.
Also, a local eye doctor also stopped by the restaurant to offer Doug a free exam and glasses.
Doug has been largely forgotten since risking his life for America and the world back in the 1940s, but the Arizona Arby’s location has done what the government should have done long ago – they adopted him as part of their family!