Free Veterans Day Breakfast Feast At First National Center Downtown

Veteran’s Day is a day set aside to appreciate those that have served our country, so to start the day there’s a free top-of-the-line breakfast at The First National Center, 120 N. Robinson Ave., in downtown Oklahoma City.

“It’s our second annual honorary breakfast for our veterans,” said Rich Furino, food and beverage manager for the hotel.

The free breakfast is for those that have served and those that are currently serving.

“I hope that they feel appreciated. Appreciation and recognition is what I would like them to feel when they come in,” said Furino.

The feast is Veterans Day morning and it’s a big day for the restaurant staff as well as the other workers.

“It’s truly a monumental experience. The sacrifices that veterans have had to make for years and years and years, is something that, it’s just insurmountable,” said Allen Cherry, business director at the First Residences Luxury Apartments, with the facility.

Cherry is also a proud veteran, who served six years in the Air Force.

“Come on out. I’m going to be out here from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to host and celebrate amongst my fellow service men and service women,” said Cherry.

The kitchen staff will be preparing a buffet feast.

“There’s going to be everything. I’m sure there’s going to be pancakes, and all kinds of eggs, and omelets, and bacon and ham and sweets and muffins. You name it,” said Furino.

Around the food is a reunion of sorts.

“Friends that maybe did battle together, somebody might be helping somebody get in and giving them some extra help,” said Furino.

When Furino sees the veterans come in, wearing their hats, jackets, and shirts identifying their service, at times it becomes emotional for him.

“The comradery and you can see the allegiance to each other and to the country,” said Furino.

Last year about 100 veterans attended the breakfast, Rich hopes to at least double that number this year, and all for one reason.

“We want to say thank you. You know we appreciate the men and women that serve our country,” said Furino.