Ronnie Dunn Serves Lunchtime Tribute to Oklahoma Heroes

Singer Ronnie Dunn teamed up with his brother-in-law, Jenks, Okla., restaurant owner Armando Mata yesterday (Tuesday, Sept. 11), to let emergency first responders know how much they are appreciated on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The two offered free lunch to police officers and firefighters at Ron Hamburgers and Chili, owned by Mata in Jenks.

"We have a lady officer here whose husband was killed in the line of duty," Mata told Tulsa TV station, FOX23. "We should never forget the fallen. We should always remember the fallen and give back to those who are still serving."

"A simple thank-you, that's all most policemen, firefighters and medics want," adds Jenks Police Officer Paul Rinkel. "We're not asking for hero status, a simple thank-you is all we want."

According to FOX23, Ronnie is calling the event the "I Love This Country" campaign and he hopes it will become an annual commemoration. On his Twitter account this morning, the singer posted a photo featuring some of the participants in yesterday's event. The caption: "The pride of Jenks, Oklahoma. Sept. 11, 2012.

Ronnie, who ended his longtime association with record label Arista Nashville earlier this summer, has several upcoming tour dates. Click here to see his schedule.