GREENSBORO -- Guilford County is honoring its veterans for their service. The Register of Deeds is partnering with dozens of local merchants in a Thank A Vet Discount Program.

An estimated 40,000 veterans call Guilford County home. The new program that kicks off the day after Memorial Day will give them discounts at dozens of merchants.

"What we would like to do is have them file their military discharges in our office, so the veterans have to come in to do that,” said Jeff Thigpen, Guilford County Register of Deeds. “Once they do it we'll give them an ID card that they can take out to local participating businesses for discounts."

It's a win for the county in its mission to serve and for merchants who will gain more customers.

"And lastly, it's a benefit for veterans because it shows in our community that we care about them and we want to take care of them even in small ways,” said Thigpen. “Veterans, they get their oil changed. Veterans love to eat out."

There's no charge to merchants to participate, save for the discounts, and 175 already have signed on at the Register of Deeds website.

"You can sign up within three or four minutes and you can give any type of support you want," said Dean Mac Lean, the program’s administrator.

When veterans present their card at participating merchants they'll get a discount.         

"We would like to give a little bit back to them and just appreciate what they do for us keeping us free and keeping our country safe," said Allen Wampler, at service manager for Beamer Tire & Auto Repair.

Large or small, it's a well-deserved recognition.

"The most important thing is that we all try to give something so that we can show veterans in Guilford County that we really appreciate their service," said Thigpen.

To receive a Thank A Vet card, veterans need a valid driver's license or other photo ID and their original DD Form 214. They should take them either to the Register of Deeds Office in Greensboro, 201 W. Market St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or to the High Point office, 325 E. Russell Ave., Room 155, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.