Veterans Day 2016 offered a wide array of free meals, discounts, and special offers for military veterans and active-duty personnel across the United States, with specific local establishments in Appleton, Wisconsin, participating in these nationwide promotions. The offers detailed in the provided source materials were valid primarily on November 11, 2016, and typically required proof of military service, such as a military ID, veteran ID card, or other official documentation. Restaurant deals were almost exclusively for dine-in service and could not be combined with other promotions. Participation and offer specifics could vary by location, so contacting local restaurants in advance was a common recommendation.
The following article synthesizes information from multiple sources to provide a detailed overview of Veterans Day 2016 freebies and deals available in the Appleton, Wisconsin area and nationally. All factual claims are derived exclusively from the provided source documents.
Restaurant Free Meals and Special Offers
A significant portion of Veterans Day 2016 promotions were centered on complimentary meals and discounts at restaurants. Major national chains and local eateries offered free entrees, appetizers, or special menu items to veterans and active-duty military personnel.
National Chain Restaurant Offers
Many large restaurant chains provided free meals on November 11, 2016. Applebee’s offered a complimentary meal from a selection of seven entrees at participating locations nationwide, valid for dine-in only on Veterans Day. A similar offer was available at Olive Garden, where veterans and active-duty military could receive a free entrée from a special menu featuring six popular items, served with unlimited homemade soup or house salad and garlic breadsticks.
Denny’s provided a free "Build Your Own Grand Slam" for active and retired military personnel from 5 a.m. to noon on Veterans Day. Bob Evans offered free meals from a special menu on November 11. Bonanza Steakhouses provided a free buffet for active-duty and retired military personnel. B.J. Restaurant’s offered a complimentary entrée under $12.95 for active-duty military and veterans.
Other national chains with Veterans Day promotions included Bakers Square, which offered a complimentary breakfast from a set menu; Bar Louie, which provided a free appetizer or entrée; and Ben’s Soft Pretzels, which gave veterans a free Jumbo Soft Pretzel at participating locations. Fogo de Chão offered a 50% discount on meals for military veterans and active-duty personnel with valid military ID on Veterans Day, with up to three additional guests receiving a 10% discount.
Local Appleton, Wisconsin Area Restaurant Offers
Specific establishments in the Appleton, Wisconsin area were listed as participating in Veterans Day 2016 promotions. According to the provided source materials, the following Appleton-area restaurants offered Veterans Day deals:
- Damn Yankees (Hortonville, near Appleton): Offered free breakfast from 6 to 11 a.m. and free lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Veterans Day.
- Fratellos (Appleton): Provided a free glass of house wine, pint of Fox River Brewing Co. beer, cream soda, or root beer with the purchase of an entrée.
- Fox River Brewing Company (Grand Chute, near Appleton): Offered a free flight of their brews.
Other restaurants in the broader Grand Chute and Menasha areas, which are near Appleton, also participated. Festival Foods in Menasha hosted an American Heroes Cafe weekly gathering on Veterans Day, serving free coffee and donuts to veterans in the store’s upper mezzanine community room from 8 a.m. to noon. Golden Corral in Grand Chute held its annual Military Appreciation Night on November 14, 2016, from 5 to 9 p.m., offering a free dinner to military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard, and reserves.
Other Restaurant Promotions
- Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza: Offered a free small order of meatballs and ricotta cheese to Armed Forces members (past and present) with a military ID on Veterans Day. The offer was valid for both dine-in and carry-out orders.
- Rock & Brews: Locations nationwide, including in the Appleton area, offered thanks to veterans, active-duty military, and first responders.
- Ram Restaurant & Brewery: Provided a "buy one entrée, get the second free" offer for veterans.
- Famous Dave’s (Grand Chute): Offered a free two-meat combo for former and current military personnel.
- IHOP (Grand Chute): Provided a free stack of Red, White & Blue Pancakes for veterans and active-duty military from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 54th Street Grill: Offered a free entrée to veterans on Veterans Day.
- Arooga’s: Gave away free meals from a limited menu on Veterans Day.
- Boston Market: Offered a free brownie or cookie with any purchase on Veterans Day.
Retail and Service Discounts
Beyond restaurants, Veterans Day 2016 included discounts on retail products, services, and travel.
Retail Discounts
- JCPenney (Grand Chute): Offered a 5 percent discount on November 11, 2016.
- All Things Jerky (Grand Chute): Provided a free exotic meat snack and a 20 percent discount on purchases for all military past or present.
- Amazon: Offered a 20 percent discount on various apparel items for customers who entered the code “20veterans” on Veterans Day.
- Alfred Angelo: Provided a 30 percent discount on wedding dresses at participating locations on Veterans Day, with selections potentially limited.
- Army & Air Force Exchange Service: Began offering discounts and deals on various items starting on November 10, 2016.
Service and Travel Offers
- American Family Care: Offered free flu shots for veterans on Veterans Day.
- Army Corps of Engineers Recreation: Provided free access to over 2,400 recreation areas nationwide.
- Westgate Resorts: Announced a giveaway of 1,000 free vacations. Starting at 9 a.m. EST on November 11, the first 1,000 qualifying servicemembers who submitted the online military appreciation form and made a fully refundable $75 deposit would receive a free three-day, two-night vacation for up to four individuals at Westgate Town Center from May 5-7, 2017.
- AARP: Offered a membership discount of 30%, applicable to new memberships and renewals.
Additional Veterans Day Freebies and Programs
Some offers extended beyond a single day or required specific actions.
- Free Haircuts: Veterans could receive a complimentary haircut or a free haircut card, with redemptions available until December 31, 2016.
- Veterans Day Freebies Website: A comprehensive list of discounts was available on the Veterans Day Freebies website, which was updated daily. The list covered restaurants, goods, services, and events, and could be searched by category.
Eligibility and Verification
A common requirement across most offers was proof of military service. Acceptable forms of verification typically included a military ID, veteran ID card, or other official documentation. Some offers, such as the Westgate Resorts vacation, required online submission of a military appreciation form and a deposit. For restaurant offers, most were valid only on November 11, 2016, for dine-in service, and could not be combined with other promotions. It was generally recommended that individuals call ahead to their local participating establishments to confirm participation and specific ID requirements.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2016 featured a substantial collection of freebies and discounts for veterans and active-duty military personnel in Appleton, Wisconsin, and across the nation. The promotions spanned a wide range of categories, including complimentary restaurant meals, retail discounts, service offers, and travel opportunities. The offers were predominantly valid on November 11, 2016, and required proof of military service. While many national chains participated, several local establishments in the Appleton area also offered special deals, contributing to a community-wide effort to honor military service. Consumers were advised to verify details with individual locations prior to visiting.