SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — The Mission BBQ lot in Southington was full of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks all sporting American flags on Sept. 11.
The show of force was part of a tradition at the restaurant. Every Sept. 11, the team at Mission BBQ provides free meals to first responders.
“It’s just a token of our thanks,” said restaurant general manager Paul Chang. "We do this at every single location every single year, almost 140 locations across the country.”
Beyond just a free lunch, there is a noontime service and singing of the National Anthem in the restaurant lot that commemorates and honors those lost on 9/11.
Summer Vitanza, the community ambassador at the Southington Mission BBQ, said, “I love giving back to those people that deserve it most. Especially on a tragic day like 9/11, we get to honor our hometown heroes.”
Tim Pelton, the retired chief of the Cheshire Fire Department, was one of around 100 first responders who attended the event at Mission BBQ.
Pelton, who served Cheshire for 30 years, said, “it’s a proud day to remember my professional colleagues in the fire service, this is a dangerous job but it’s a very tight brotherhood.”
Renee Harvey, a retired Marine and current Prospect police officer, sang the National Anthem for the event.
“[This day] means to honor and to remember and never forget those who gave their lives,” Harvey said.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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