NEW YORK TEEN OFFERS FREE BURGERS TO VETERANS
Written by Jesse Skelley on July 22, 2025
On Long Island’s North Fork, 18-year-old Will Burrell is serving more than just burgers—he’s serving gratitude. The high school senior founded Will’s Smashburgers in Mattituck, offering veterans free meals and donating a portion of profits to military families through the Gary Sinise Foundation. Inspired by a military-style boot camp in Vermont and family ties to Green Berets, Burrell’s mission is simple: give back to those who serve.
Operating from inside Center Cuts Gourmet Butcher shop, Will personally smashes patties, scribbles motivational messages on bags, and even created “The Green Beret” burger—topped with lobster and butter. His dedication has attracted celebrity fans like NHL player Kyle Palmieri, and he’s already expanding to events across Long Island.
Will’s journey is more than a business—it’s a tribute. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the freedom that we have,” he says. “It’s not about popularity or money. It’s about doing the right thing.”
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