‘United States of Al’ Pays Tribute to the Veterans Day Food Crawl

The military comedy TV show "United States of Al" will mark Veterans Day with an episode that pays tribute to the holiday's most beloved cultural ritual: free food for veterans.

"United States of Al" follows Marine veteran Riley Dugan (played by Parker Young) as he sorts out his life after combat service. Riley lives with his dad, widower and fellow veteran Art (Dean Norris), and his sister Lizzie (Elizabeth Alderfer), who's also sorting out her life after her fiancé was killed in the line of duty.

They're joined in the household by Awalmir (Adhir Kalyan), an Afghan military translator who's Riley's best friend and who immigrated to Ohio with the family's help. Al's trying to adjust to life in the United States, and his contagious optimism helps everyone around him as they deal with their own issues.

This episode opens with the family crowded around a local map with stickers marking all of the restaurants offering free food to veterans. They're planning a mission, and we're willing to guess that they used Military.com's famous list of Veterans Day Free Meals to identify their targets.

Related: Here's How to Maximize Your Free Veterans Day Food

Art has enjoyed more years as a veteran, so he's got tactical advice for the boys as they look to maximize their face-stuffing mission.

"United States of Al" may be a comedy, but the show always has made the effort to stay grounded in the real issues faced by active-duty military, veterans and the translators who support them in combat. This episode is grounded in news of Riley's disability rating, which arrives in a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs just before he heads out for the food crawl.

Riley meets up with fellow Marine Corps veterans Badger (Myko Olivier) and Todd (Johnny Ray Gill) to get some of that no-cost grub. In this clip from the show, they bust each other's chops in a restaurant.

If you're a veteran who's making your own plans for fine dining on Nov. 11, make sure you consult Military.com's outstanding guide to free meals and discounts. Be safe out there.

Related: 2021 Veterans Day Free Meals and Restaurant Deals and Discounts

If you start early enough on Veterans Day, you can stuff yourself and be home to watch the entire episode. "United States of Al" airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

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