SALISBURY — For the third year in a row, a group of Jeep drivers have partnered with the local Texas Roadhouse to celebrate and honor veterans on Veterans Day.

Three years ago, Allison Tuck, the local store marketer, said members of a Jeep group contacted her and wanted to host an event in the parking lot that would honor veterans, and she went to her managing partner, David Simon, “and said I wanted to start ducking Jeeps.” He looked at her for a moment but decided to let her give it a try.

There were 16 Jeeps that first year, and the restaurant offered free meals to any veteran coming in that day.

Last year, the event grew to 80 participating Jeeps, but Veterans Day fell on a Saturday. This year, with Veterans Day falling on a Monday and the call for rain, there were 40 registered participants.

Jeeps who participate pay a $20 “entry” fee, and that goes toward coupons for full meals for veterans. A photo of each Jeep is put on a card and that is given, with the certificate, to local veterans at the Frontier Coffee Shop at Christiana Church.

“They get together every week for lunch,” said Tuck, “and they always have a drawing, but this time, they will draw as many names as we have cards.”

Jeeps, most decorated for the day, parked along the back of the parking lot, and veterans were invited to participate in a reverse parade in which they could drive by the Jeep folks, who were cheering, waving and offering their thanks.

Simon said local veterans will be given cards for a meal anytime, rather than having to come in on a particular day or time, “so they can come when it’s quieter,” because he understands so many deal with PTSD and a loud, crowded restaurant can be challenging. He said corporate allows individual owners to set their own agenda but values community involvement, and he is “beyond glad that we have the opportunity to say thank you.”

In addition to the Jeep event and coupons, Simon has an entire seating area dedicated to veterans, with a sign on the wall that says “Local Heroes,” and where contributions, from uniforms to patches to photos, are displayed.

“We have people bringing things to us all the time,” said Tuck, “so we do rotate our display.” For months, she said, children who have come to the restaurant have been given a narrow strip of paper and crayons to design thank you notes to the veterans and on Veterans Day, those are attached to all the overhead lights at each table.

And finally, inside the front door is a Veterans Tree that is put up each year for the holiday season. It’s a Christmas tree that reaches to the ceiling and its decorations are photos of local veterans.

A number of the Jeep owners who participate are also veterans, who come out to honor their fellow soldiers as well as to participate with tightly knit Jeep groups.

Renae Steele, a Jeeper and veteran from Statesville served for 15 years with the Air Force and the Air National Guard. During that time she spent more than three years as a military K9 handler and, after coming in top in her class, as a K9 trainer for the Department of Defense.

“I love participating in these events,” she said. “They matter.”

Justin Dixon of Salisbury served 8 years, including active duty in Afghanistan. He joined the military after being in ROTC in high school, and because he had known Lance Corporal Nathan Elrod, a Rockwell native who died while serving in Iraq in 2006.

“I wanted to honor him,” he said, though he acknowledge es that at first, he regretted it. “But once I got to my fleet, and got an active assignment, I loved it.”

He said the Jeep groups are welcoming, accepting, and “even with my PTSD, I don’t have to worry in this group, because it just doesn’t matter. No one judges, they just accept everyone as they are.”

Monday’s event was meaningful to him as well.

“It feels amazing,” he said as veterans drove by and everyone cheered and hollered out thank you’s. “There as been less and less for veterans, and to see that people do still care means the world.”

David Barlow of Landis was on hand with his 14 year old grandson Bradley, and he believes it’s essential to continue to honor those who have served. Barlow started as a middle school teacher in Lexington before coming to Rowan to teach high school science, but he has been with the Landis fire department for decades and he continues to serve as chaplain at Locke Township fire department. He started the high school fire academy that has grown into a national program, and his first responder roots make him aware of the sacrifices made by soldiers.

“We love seeing all the support from the Jeep community on a day like this,” said Tuck, “and I know our restaurant is honored to show appreciation for their service.”

“Anytime a veteran comes in, we want to honor them,” added Simon.