Tom Akerlund and Friends at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
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From Left to Right: Captain John Galeazzi, Lieutenant Colonel, Chounce Russell, Captain Brian Berthelotte, Captain Mike Giordano, Major Tom Akerlund, Staff Sergeant Nina Buckelew, Captain Terry Butler, Major John McKeown, Captain Pete Juliak, and in front: Captain Ray Herras.

Beefaroo has spent the last 40 years dazzling their customers with impeccable customer service and quality. Roscoe native Tom Akerlund is one of those customers.

Tom's connection with Beefaroo is unique. His parents, John and Betty Akerlund, own two well known Rockford businesses: Ack Ack Nursery and Rockford Landscape Engineering. In high school Tom worked for his father by mowing the lawns at every Beefaroo location. A few months ago, the owner of Beefaroo sent several t-shirts to the family as a "Thank You" for years of quality service. Tom passed on the t-shirts to his friends, making sure there were enough for everyone. "I have bragged to my buddies about how great Beefaroo is, and how I make a special point to go to whenever I am home." Tom writes, via e-mail. His buddies, a.k.a. members of the United States Army, are on the 10th month of their 12 month deployment in Kuwait. After all his bragging about the establishments delicious food and great service, Tom could not pass up the chance to give his friends a little bit of Beefaroo spirit. "People really enjoy the t-shirts," he writes "and if they are ever in Northern Illinois, I assure they will stop in to check it out."

Thousands of miles from home, cheddar fries are but a distant dream to our country's heroes. Perhaps Tom feels closer to home when he see's the friendly Beefaroo logo on the t-shirts he has given to his friends.