By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — With Veterans Day a few days away, Rowan County Register of Deeds John Brindle this week will kick off a new program called “Thank a Vet.”

The program aims to encourage veterans to register military discharge documents with his office. In return, participants will receive an identification card that allows program participants to receive discounts at 60 local businesses. Those discounts range from 25 percent off of products to discounted funeral packages for a veteran and his or her spouse.

Brindle’s office will hold a kick-off ceremony for its “Thank a Vet” program on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 402 N. Main St. in Salisbury — the location of the Register of Deeds’ office. The kick-off program will occur in the building’s front lobby, Brindle said.

Free breakfast and lunch will be provided.

In order to obtain the ID card, veterans must bring a DD-214 form to be recorded at the Register of Deeds office. The document is issued when a service member retires, separates or discharges from a branch of the military. The form can be used to secure veteran benefits.  Once the DD-214 is recorded, veterans will be issued the “Thank a Vet” ID card, which allows recipients to receive the discounts.

“What we’re trying to do is thank the veterans year round instead of thanking them once per year,” he said.

There will be no charge for any of the services provided as part of the program on Thursday.

Some of the many business participating in the program include Discount Tire, Hendrix Barbecue, Made Man Barber and Shave, Powles Funeral Home, Thelma’s Down Home Cooking and Woodleaf Lanes.

For more information about the “Thank a Vet” program, contact the Rowan County Register of Deeds office at 704-216-8626.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.