Military Appreciation night - Honoring Our Military
2026 marks the 25th anniversary of Military Appreciation Night, where we will continue our tradition of honoring our active and former military members. Military Appreciation Night will be held on November 11 from 4pm – close. We will once again honor our military heroes with a free “thank you” meal.
Golden Corral® is proud of the U.S. military members who defend our country and our rights. We honor them every year with a special thank you dinner on our Military Appreciation Night. To date, we have served nearly 6.7 million free meals to our active duty and retired military heroes. But our commitment does not stop there. Over the past 24 years, Golden Corral restaurants and their guests together have raised over $20.5 million dollars for Disabled American Veterans.
Camp Corral
Camp Corral offers one-week summer camp programs for children of wounded, ill and fallen military service members and veterans, at no cost to the families. It’s a truly special experience where campers participate in unique, exciting activities where they can form lasting friendships. Campers enjoy horseback riding, ropes courses, water sports, and more!
The vision behind Camp Corral was to give kids, ages 8 – 15 years old, an experience where they are free to be kids, far away from the day-to-day challenges they face as children of military service members. Research revealed that 52% of campers feel that no one understands what it is like being a military child. Camp Corral gives campers the chance to connect with others just like them in a community that only Camp Corral can provide.
This camp is free for families, thanks to community support. Since Camp Corral's founding in 2011, Golden Corral restaurants and guests have raised over $19 million dollars and sent more than 38,000 military children to Camp Corral.
Visit the Camp Corral website for more information about attending or supporting kids through Camp Corral.
Project Healing Waters
Established in 2005, Project Healing Waters helps active military service personnel and Veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, and fly rod building.
Operating in 45 states with nearly 170 programs across the country, Project Healing Waters leverages the restorative healing powers of nature and the outdoors to assist Veterans along their healing journeys. The camaraderie, connectedness, and community found in Project Healing Waters programs, alongside the symbiotic relationship between Veteran and volunteer, directly correlate to increased sense of belonging, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.4
Visit Project Healing Waters website for more information or to find your local program.