Narsi Properties, goes above and beyond to honor military personnel on Veteran’s Day. For six years our Country Inns and Suites in Burlington, NC has rolled out the red carpet to any veteran, and his/her family, with a free-night stay, to pay tribute to their service to the country.
The free-night offer includes a complimentary overnight stay, the Country Inns & Suites signature Be Our Guest Breakfast, and an evening reception, with food and beverages donated by local restaurants, a vineyard and a brewery. As a special touch when guests arrive in their rooms, is a welcome bag full of gifts, snacks and coupons from nearby shop owners, restaurants and Elon University.
The idea for this very special promotion came to the general manager Michael Garner in 2011. (Michael’s father is a retired Navy vet) as he was sitting in the airport on Veterans Day on his way home from attending the business class at the Carlson Rezidor Business School. Fresh from philosophical discussions with fellow classmates on “how we want things to be in our world,” the light bulb switched.
“I was listening to the overhead gate announcements honoring veterans by inviting them to board planes first,” explained Michael, “and I thought, my hotel has to do something to add to this!”
Every year the event has continued to perpetuate with more attendees and their families attending as well as increased interest from vendors and suppliers graciously supporting our event with donations of items and time.
The event also caught the attention of the Carlson Rezidor Hotels executive team and was the core ideal behind the brands launch of their “Military First” rate program honoring veterans with special rates and upgrades to the best room in the house when traveling through the Country Inns & Suites by Carlson brand. The Military First program also partners with “Operation Gratitude”
Operation Gratitude seeks to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of the U.S. Military and First Responder communities and provide volunteer opportunities for Americans to express their appreciation to all who serve our nation.
Every year, Operation Gratitude sends 200,000+ individually addressed care packages to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed overseas, to their children left behind, and to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Heroes and their Care Givers. Each package contains food, hygiene products, entertainment and handmade items, as well as personal letters of support.
2017 will be the year that Narsi Properties begins to launch this program throughout its portfolio adding the Aloft hotel at Raleigh Durham Airport Brier Creek. The Hilton Garden Inn in Lithonia, GA and the Homewood Suites in Chapel Hill, NC launching the event in 2018.
Veterans Day, celebrated in the U.S. on Nov. 11, began as Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War I, or “The Great War.” The legal holiday was expanded to include all veterans honoring them for their “patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”