ORANGE PARK – They came to see old friends, eat fried chicken, tell stories and mashed potatoes. Monday at Golden Corral wasn’t about seeing how much shrimp could fit on a plate. It was about veterans.

The buffet chain hosted Disabled American Veterans on Veterans Day for the 18th year. The local organization, Sgt. Bradley Stephen Crose Chapter 38, greeted customers at the door and collected donations, while Golden Corral opened its serving lines to all veterans. The Orange Park chapter is named after the Orange Park High graduate who died in Afghanistan in 2002.

“Our veterans eat for 100% free on Veterans Day,” said store general manager Todd Kachel. “It’s an incredible program. We’re proud to be a partner with DAV. This is one of our most-popular days of the year.”

Patriotic music provided the backdrop as soldiers and flags representing all five branches of the military proudly were displayed at the entrance.

Local DAV Commander John Cornish was overwhelmed by the success of the program. He said money donated last Monday will be divided between the local and national DAV chapters, as well as Camp Corral, a summer camp dedicated to transforming the lives of children of wounded, sick and fallen soldiers. So far, more than 20,000 children have been able to attend the camp.

More than $15 million has been raised for DAV in 18 years by Golden Corral and more than 5.7 free meals have been served on Veterans Day.

“It was an awesome experience for veterans to get the benefits they deserve,” Cornish said.

The Orange Park Golden Corral served more than 600 free dinners on Veterans Day, Kachel said.

“That’s a lot of fried chicken,” Kachel said. “We went through a couple hundred pounds of chicken. We also served 30 pans of macaroni and cheese. We gave them everything – the meal, the drink, everything.”

All in return for veterans giving so much more.