Operation Famous Salute

Ninth Annual “Operation Famous Salute” Returns To East Tennessee Famous Dave’s Barbecue Restaurants

KNOXVILLE, TN – “Operation Famous Salute” makes it return to Famous Dave’s East Tennessee restaurants over the Memorial Day Weekend holiday. The event, now in its ninth year, is a letter writing campaign geared to deliver thank you messages and notes of encouragement to our nation’s active and recovering military service members.

Beginning Friday, May 22nd, all East Tennessee Famous Dave’s restaurants, including our Knoxville location, will invite their patrons to write to active Service Members and those recovering in our nation’s military hospitals.

Famous Dave’s provides all the stationary for letters to be created, and this year, a coloring page for children to get involved. At the end of the holiday weekend, Famous Dave’s staff will gather messages from all five Tennessee locations and pick up the tab for the postage to send them to these well-deserving Service Members.

“This is one of the best things we can do to honor those who have given their lives in service to defend our nation, and each one of us,” said franchise co-owner Mike Lister. “And that is, to take care of those presently serving...to remind those men and women that we are always thinking of them.”

Since its inception, “Operation Famous Salute” has collected more than 11,000 letters, and sent them to soldiers and other military personnel serving around the world.

Doug Renegar, franchise co-owner at Famous Dave’s notes the restaurants’ vendors have always supported this event and jump on board to help each and every year. “Our printer, Kwik Kopy for example, is providing the stationary, while TG Promotions is donating the pens. The list goes on and on!”

Famous Dave’s will also provide patrons a list of suggested “talking points,” with which to communicate their support. Follow up communication with soldiers is encouraged as well.

“When our local units are called up to active duty, like those from Fort Campbell for example, we see the tearful pictures of the family goodbyes on the local news. In reality, statistics show that many soldiers have no family to send them off, or to keep their spirits lifted while they are away. We want to bless those soldiers in particular,” said Lister.

Renegar continues, “We have friends who lost a son after he was shot in battle in Afghanistan in 2012. He was flown to Walter Reid for treatment after his injuries. That’s where we were reminded of the power of ‘Operation Famous Salute’ and its impact on the families of those service members as well.”

Middle Tennessee Famous Dave’s locations will collect letters for “Operation Famous Salute” beginning Friday, May 22nd through the close of business on Memorial Day; Monday, May 25th.

For questions or more information about how to participate, please email info@homeofthebigslab.com, or contact your local Famous Dave’s restaurant.

Chattanooga:

2122 Gunbarrel Road

Chattanooga, TN 37421

423-954-3227