Veterans Day is a significant occasion for honoring military service members, and in Cincinnati, numerous businesses and organizations have historically participated by offering complimentary meals, discounted services, and free admission to local attractions. Based on local news reports and community resources from the 2016 timeframe, a wide array of freebies and deals were available to veterans and active-duty personnel. These offers spanned categories including dining, retail, automotive, transportation, and entertainment. This article provides a detailed overview of the specific freebies and discounts that were offered in the Cincinnati area for Veterans Day 2016, drawing exclusively from verified local media sources.
Eligibility for these offers generally required proof of military service, such as a valid military ID, or being in uniform. Many deals were valid only on Veterans Day, November 11, though some extended through the surrounding weekend or week. The following sections categorize the available offers to provide a clear guide for understanding the types of promotions that were accessible during that period.
Dining and Restaurant Freebies
A significant portion of Veterans Day promotions in Cincinnati focused on complimentary meals and food-related discounts. Local and national restaurant chains offered special menus and free items to show appreciation for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Applebee’s: Applebee’s offered a free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu for those dining in. This offer was valid on Veterans Day and required no purchase. Locations throughout the Cincinnati area participated.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active-duty military could receive a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries. This was a dine-in only offer available on Veterans Day.
- Chili’s: Chili’s provided a free entrée from a select Veterans Day menu for veterans and active-duty members dining in. The offer was not valid for carry-out orders.
- Chipotle: Chipotle extended a Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) entrée offer to military members. This promotion was valid for in-store orders.
- City Barbeque: This establishment offered a free meal that included a sandwich, one side, and a drink for veterans.
- Ford’s Garage: Veterans could choose a free American Standard Burger or another entrée, up to a $15 value, at participating locations.
- FUSIAN: This sushi restaurant offered a free signature roll to veterans.
- Gold Star Chili: Veterans received a free meal up to a $12 value at Gold Star Chili locations.
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati: A free lunch was available from noon to 4 p.m. on Veterans Day.
- Bob Evans: Veterans and active-duty service members could select one of ten breakfast items from a special menu on November 11. This deal was for dine-in orders only, and beverages were not included.
- Condado Tacos: Veterans with a military ID were entitled to one free taco with a purchase. The offer was valid for dine-in, carry-out, and drive-thru.
- Golden Corral: The chain hosted a Military Appreciation Night on November 13 from 5 p.m. to close, where veterans could dine in and receive a free meal.
- IHOP: Free pancakes or a pancake combo were available until 7 p.m. on Veterans Day.
- Krispy Kreme: Veterans received a free coffee and a doughnut.
- McDonald’s: Current and former military members could get a free meal with a valid military ID all day on Veterans Day.
- Olive Garden: The restaurant offered veterans and active-duty members a free entrée from a special menu at participating locations.
- Potbelly: A free complimentary drink or cookie was available with the purchase of an entrée on Veterans Day.
- Red Robin: The burger chain offered a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger meal to all veterans and active-duty military. This was valid for dine-in orders only.
- Starbucks: Veterans received a free hot or iced coffee on Veterans Day.
- Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe: Veterans could enjoy a free grilled chicken gyro meal, which included a choice of side and chips. This was a dine-in only offer while supplies lasted, with no substitutions allowed.
- Texas Roadhouse: Participating locations offered active-duty members and veterans a voucher for a free meal, redeemable for carry-out or dine-in. This was available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day.
- Another Broken Egg Cafe: This cafe offered complimentary "Patriot French Toast" and Barista House Blend Coffee for those who dine-in.
- BIBIBOP Asian Grill: A free bowl was available when ordering in-store with a valid Military ID.
- BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Veterans received a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with a valid Military ID.
Retail, Services, and Automotive Discounts
Beyond dining, several retail and service-based businesses offered discounts on products and services. These deals ranged from percentage-based discounts on purchases to complimentary services like haircuts and car washes.
- Great Clips: All veterans and active members of the military received free haircuts at any Great Clips location on November 11. Service members could also opt for a free haircut card to be redeemed on a future visit.
- Jiffy Lube of Amelia: A 50% discount on oil changes was available on November 11.
- Kohl’s: From November 10 through November 12, Kohl’s offered veterans and their families a 30% discount in-store with a valid military ID.
- Lowe’s: The hardware store offered free collectible pins to the first 150 veteran customers on Saturday at each store. Lowe’s also provides a 10% military discount to active duty and veteran military service members and their families every day.
- Mike’s Carwash: Locations in Cincinnati, Dayton, Kentucky, and Indiana offered a free Ultimate Wash to all active military personnel on Veterans Day.
- Walgreens: All Walgreens locations offered a 20% discount to veterans, active-duty members, and their families for purchases made in-store. This deal was valid from November 10-13 on regular-priced items.
- Amazon: Over 9,000 items from Amazon’s clothing, shoes, and jewelry store were eligible for a 20% discount.
- Kenneth Cole: The apparel and lifestyle retailer offered a Veterans Day deal of 30% off all items with the code VETSDAY. This offer ran from November 8 through November 10.
Museums, Attractions, and Transportation
Cincinnati museums, parks, and public transit systems also participated in Veterans Day by offering free admission or discounted access. These offers provided opportunities for veterans and their families to enjoy local cultural and recreational sites.
- Cincinnati Museum Center: The Cincinnati Museum Center and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center offered free admission for veterans from November 9 to November 16. The offer did not include OMNIMAX or featured exhibition admission.
- Cincinnati Zoo: The zoo provided free admission to all members of the military, as well as six discounted admission tickets for members of their immediate family. Visitors must show proper military ID at the turnstile.
- Metro: Fare-free rides were available for veterans and active military members on November 10. Riders must present a valid military ID when boarding. Metro also has a discount program for veterans and active military personnel called the Metro Veterans Program, where eligible riders receive half-off fares when they board with an MVP smart card.
- National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Free entry was available for veterans and active duty military members.
- Coney Island: Veterans and active military received a $5 discount on admission to the park for the Nights of Lights drive-thru holiday light show, which opened on November 10.
- Creation Museum/Ark Encounter: Located in Petersburg, KY, this museum was free for former and active duty members on Saturday, November 11. Children 10 and under were also free.
- Daniel Boone National Forest: Fees were waived at all Forest-operated recreation sites. This did not apply to recreation sites operated by concessionaires, reserved group-use areas, or sites closed for the season or maintenance.
Conclusion
The array of Veterans Day freebies and discounts in Cincinnati for 2016 demonstrates a strong community commitment to honoring military service members. The offers covered a broad spectrum of needs and interests, from essential services like haircuts and car washes to leisure activities such as dining out and visiting museums. Most promotions required valid military identification and were strictly limited to the Veterans Day holiday or the immediate surrounding dates. Consumers seeking similar offers in future years should anticipate comparable promotions and ensure they have appropriate proof of service available when visiting participating establishments.