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Meineke honors vets with free oil changes

Fourth annual event supplies 270 oil changes
Meineke owner Dave Repass stands with the 2017 Chevy pickup that Meineke in Lewes donated to the USO. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
November 12, 2017
Veteran Doug Walpole makes a parachute line bracelet while waiting for his car to be serviced.
Meineke mechanic Rob Kozacheson takes care of a veteran’s oil change during the free event.
The Cape Henlopen JROTC color guard presented the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance.
WGMD’s Walt Palmer shows the free meal he received from Allen Harim and the VFW.
Wesley Nickelson of Ocean View shows off the shirts sold at the event. Proceeds benefit the Fisher House Foundation, a network of comfort homes where families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.
Meineke service advisor Angii Thompson checks in local veteran George Coverdale.
Meineke Car Care service hours were extended to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate the Veterans Day crowd.
Sheri Jones from Inner Peace Massage & Wellness in Milton gave a free relaxing chair message to the vets in attendance.
Meineke mechanic Mike Schenning performs service on a vet’s car.
Sami, left, and Alex Repass volunteered at the event.
Meineke service advisors Orlando Herrera, left, and Angii Thompson greeted the veterans with a smile during the fourth annual event. Herrera is awaiting his deployment in a few weeks. “He will be missed,” said Menieke owner Dave Repass. “His position will be waiting for him upon his safe return.”

Meineke Car Care Center in Lewes took Veterans Day Nov. 11 to honor men and women who served as members of the armed forces, and veterans, with free basic oil changes and inspections.

Joining Meineke in honoring veterans were Fins and Big Oyster Brewery, Delaware USO, Gun Shooter Enterprises, Inland Motorsports, Surf Bagel, Delaware Tech, L&W Insurance, Delaware State Police, Milton Police, Cape JROTC, Quest Adventures, WGMD 92.7, Autozone, Griswold Home Care, VFW Post 2391, Pet Wants, Allen Harim Foods, Inner Peace Massage and more. Meinede extends its hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate the vets.

Final tally for the day was 270 free oil changes. While at the event, veterans were served breakfast, lunch and dinner to honor their service. Numerous vets came just to relax and share camaraderie with fellow servicemen and women even though they didn’t need their car serviced.

Fins served more than 300 meals while Allen Harim Foods and the VFW served more than 200 chicken meals. Any food left over was donated to local food banks. 

“It was a wonderful day with our business partners to offer thanks and honor those men and women of our military,” said Meineke owner Dave Repass. “Mostly, I want to thank my amazing staff. They worked hard throughout the day and evening to make this event a success. This is like our Super Bowl at Meineke, and the community and our veterans all came home with the trophy.”

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