SWANTON, Ohio — An Ohio airman had one goal in mind when he returned from a Middle East deployment on Tuesday. Chipotle Mexican Grill will make it possible for the next 52 weeks.
Charles DeRaedt, who has served with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing unit since 2012, said on social media Tuesday, “I’m going to drop my bags off, and I’m going to Chipotle,” WTVG reported.
The restaurant caught wind of DeRaedt’s goal and reached out to the airman, who was on his third deployment with the 180th. Officials surprised him with 52 entrees for a year, the television station reported.
In a direct message DeRaedt shared with WTVG, Chipotle told the airman that “We’d love to drop in free burritos (52 entrees) into your Chipotle Rewards account.”
DeRaedt, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo, has spent the last seven years as an F-16 Avionics technician, according to his LinkedIn page.
DeRaedt thanked Chipotle, telling the company in a direct message “This is the greatest homecoming ever!”
“Welcome home,” Chipotle said.