Veterans Day 2017 presented a wide array of complimentary meals, discounts, and special offers for active duty military personnel and veterans across the United States. Numerous restaurants, attractions, and service providers participated in honoring military service members with freebies and reduced-cost services. These offers were typically available on or around November 11, 2017, and most required valid proof of military service, such as a military ID, VA card, or other forms of verification.
The following guide details the specific freebies and discounts available during Veterans Day 2017, categorized by restaurant chains, attractions, and other service providers. This information is based on data compiled from various news sources and official announcements at the time.
Restaurant Free Meals and Discounts
Many national and regional restaurant chains offered free meals or significant discounts to veterans and active duty military personnel on Veterans Day 2017. The majority of these offers were valid only on November 11, 2017, though some extended throughout the month or to the surrounding weekend.
Major National Chains
- Applebee’s: Veterans and active duty military could select a free meal from a limited menu on Veteran’s Day. Proof of service was required.
- Outback Steakhouse: Offered a free Bloomin’ Onion® and a beverage on Veterans Day.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Provided a free small order of traditional or boneless wings with a side of fries for dine-in customers.
- Bob Evans: Offered a free meal from a special menu available all day Saturday at all locations.
- IHOP: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2017, IHOP offered a free stack of Red, White and Blue pancakes or a patriotic pancake combo at participating locations.
- Applebee’s: Veterans and active duty military could select a free meal from a limited menu on Veteran’s Day. Proof of service was required.
- Outback Steakhouse: Offered a free Bloomin’ Onion® and a beverage on Veterans Day.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Provided a free small order of traditional or boneless wings with a side of fries for dine-in customers.
- Bob Evans: Offered a free meal from a special menu available all day Saturday at all locations.
- IHOP: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2017, IHOP offered a free stack of Red, White and Blue pancakes or a patriotic pancake combo at participating locations.
Casual Dining and Other Restaurants
- Macaroni Grill: Provided free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs & Spaghetti entrée.
- Main Event Bowling: Offered a free entree plus a $10 FUNcard from open to 5 p.m. The offer also included free shoe rental for the veteran and four guests.
- Margaritas Mexican Restaurant: Provided complimentary entrees to all veterans and active members of the military, as well as their significant others, on Veterans Day.
- Max & Erma’s: Offered a free Cheeseburger Combo Meal with Dessert, including free cheeseburger, endless fries, and a fountain drink.
- Menchie’s: Provided a free six-ounce frozen yogurt.
- Mimi’s Cafe: Offered free select food items from a special menu on Veteran’s Day 2017. A drink purchase was required.
- Mission BBQ: Veterans and active duty military received a free sandwich and a slice of cake.
- Native Grill & Wings: Offered one free menu item (up to $11.99 in value).
- Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub: Provided a free lunch from their 9 Real Size Entrées for $9.99 Menu with the purchase of any entrée.
- O’Charley’s: Offered a free $9.99 entree at any location. O’Charley’s also offered a 10 percent military discount year-round.
- On The Border: Provided a free combo meal from the "Create Your Own Combo menu," which allowed a "choose 2" or "choose 3" selection.
- Aspen Creek Grill: Offered a free meal for Active Duty Military and Veterans on November 10th & 11th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. This offer was valid at all Aspen Creek Grill locations.
- BJ’s Restaurant: All veterans and active military could enjoy a complimentary entree under $12.95 on Friday and Saturday, November 10-11, 2017. Guests over age 21 could also receive an alcoholic beverage for $6. A military ID was required.
- Chuck E. Cheese: Offered one free personal pizza to all active and retired military members at participating stores nationwide on Veteran’s Day, November 11.
- McCormick and Schmick's: Veterans and Gold Star families could enjoy a complimentary lunch or dinner on Sunday, November 5th, 2017.
- Chevys Fresh Mex: Offered free meals from 11 a.m. on Veterans Day.
Discounts Valid for the Month of November
- Eat'nPark: All active and former United States military personnel received a special 10% discount for the entire month of November.
- Veterans: Received 20% off the entire month of November for ‘Military Family Month.’
Early Deals and Other Food Offers
- Boston Market: Buy one individual meal, get a second free Friday through Sunday at participating locations. A military ID wasn’t required, but a coupon from www.bostonmarket.com was needed.
- Veterans and active duty get a free haircut on Veterans Day or pick up a free haircut card to use through Dec. 31. Non-veterans who get a haircut Saturday get a free haircut card to give to a veteran. (Note: This appears to be a mis-categorization in the source data, listing a haircut offer under restaurant deals).
Attractions, Lodging, and Recreation
Beyond restaurants, various attractions, museums, and lodging establishments offered free admission or special rates for veterans and their families.
- Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, Calif.): Veterans and active duty military personnel who showed a valid service ID received free admission on November 11.
- B&Bs for Vets: For the 10th year, B&Bs for Vets provided complimentary rooms to retired veterans and active duty military members on November 9, 10, or 11, 2017. The specific dates varied by innkeeper. Many inns dedicated the whole property to free rooms, while others extended the offer with discounts throughout the month.
- Des Moines Botanical Center (Des Moines, Iowa): Veterans received free admission on Saturday, November 11.
- Harley-Davidson Museum (Milwaukee): From November 10-12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the museum offered free entry for all active duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
- Main Event Bowling: Active duty servicemembers and veterans received a free entree and a $10 FUNcard on Saturday, November 11, from open to 5 p.m.
- Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, Va.): All active duty, former, or retired military personnel received free admission on Veterans Day.
- National World War I Museum and Memorial (Kansas City, Mo.): Offered free admission during Veterans Day weekend (Friday, Nov. 10 to Sunday, Nov 12).
- GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico in Mobile: Offered $5 admission for all active duty service members, veterans, and dependents on November 10 and 11.
- Aerospace Museum of California: Offered free admission to all guests on Veterans Day.
- New York City’s 9/11 Memorial and Museum: Offered veterans free admission from Wednesday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 12, as part of a five-day tribute.
Other Services and Discounts
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Waived all day use fees at more than 2,800 recreation areas nationwide on November 11. This waiver was available to all veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families.
- Home Depot: Teamed with TouchNote, a postcard-sending app, to provide thousands of free postcards to allow people to send veterans a note of gratitude on Veterans Day. To send a card, users needed to download the TouchNote app and enter the promo code CHOOSETOSERVE. Each user was eligible to send one free postcard to a veteran anywhere in the world.
- Veterans and active duty get a free haircut on Veterans Day or pick up a free haircut card to use through Dec. 31. (As noted earlier, this offer appeared in the source data under restaurant deals, but clearly relates to personal care services).
Important Considerations for Veterans
When seeking these types of offers, it is crucial to note the following common requirements and limitations:
- Proof of Service: Most businesses required a valid military ID or proof of service. Some allowed dressing in uniform as a form of identification. Discharge papers, VA cards, and veteran organization membership cards were also accepted at most businesses.
- Participation: The majority of discounts were valid only on Veterans Day, unless otherwise noted, and were available at participating locations. It was recommended to check with the local store or attraction to ensure they were participating.
- Exclusions: Some exclusions applied to the offers, though specific details were not always provided in the source data.
- Family Eligibility: Some offers, such as the B&Bs for Vets and certain attraction admissions, extended to family members. The Balance® Rewards customer loyalty program at certain pharmacies also extended eligibility for discounts to family members of veterans and military personnel.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2017 offered a significant number of opportunities for veterans and active duty military personnel to receive free meals, discounted services, and complimentary admission to various attractions nationwide. The offers spanned a wide range of categories, from casual dining and fast food to museums and lodging. While the majority of these specific offers were for the 2017 holiday, the pattern of businesses providing such gestures of appreciation is a recurring theme. For future Veterans Days, consumers can expect similar types of offers, though specific participating brands and terms may vary. Always verify participation and requirements with the individual business or attraction before visiting.