LENEXA, Kan. (AP) – A Kansas-based restaurant chain says it

plans to give away more than a million free meals to military

veterans and active-duty members on Thursday.

Applebee’s says this will be the second year the meals are being

offered at all of its nearly 1,900 restaurants across the U.S. on

Veterans Day. More than 1 million current and former service

members took the casual dining chain up on its offer last year, and

the company expects even more to do so this year.

The company first offered free meals to veterans in select

markets in 2008, then went nationwide with the offer last year.

Free meals will be offered from 11 a.m. to midnight for veterans

and active-duty personnel who present proof of military service.