Veterans Day 2019, observed on Monday, November 11, featured a wide array of discounts, free meals, and complimentary services offered by businesses and organizations across the United States to honor military veterans, active duty personnel, retirees, and their families. These programs, ranging from restaurant meals to retail discounts and entertainment admissions, required varying forms of proof, such as valid military identification or proof of service. The following guide details the verified offers available during that period, based on official announcements and promotional materials. It focuses on actionable information for veterans and military families seeking to access these benefits, emphasizing eligibility requirements, redemption processes, and participating locations.
The information presented here is derived from official brand sources and verified promotional pages. Veterans are advised to contact local establishments directly to confirm participation and specific details, as offers may vary by location and are subject to change or expiration. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shares this information for awareness but does not endorse any products or services; consumers should verify all details with the offering organization.
Restaurant and Dining Offers
Restaurants nationwide provided free meals, discounts, and beverages to veterans and active duty military on November 11, 2019. These offers typically required proof of service, such as a military ID, and were available for dine-in only at participating locations. Many chains encouraged patrons to call ahead to confirm local participation.
Free Meals and Entrees
- Outback Steakhouse: Veterans with a valid military ID received a free Bloomin’ Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage on November 11. Additionally, a 20% discount was available on the check from November 12 through December 31. Details: [Outback Veterans Day Page].
- BJs Restaurant Brewhouse: Military members and veterans with a valid ID were offered a free entrée (up to $14.95) and a free Dr. Pepper beverage on November 11. Details: BJs Restaurants Veterans Day.
- Bandanas BBQ Restaurant: Veterans and active duty military received a free meal on November 11. Participation required verification at the location.
- Houlihan’s: All active-duty military and veterans were eligible for a free meal on Veterans Day.
- Red Robin: Veterans and active duty military received a free dine-in Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11. Details: [Red Robin Veterans Day Page].
- Mission BBQ: Veterans and active duty members received a free sandwich and a slice of cake (while supplies lasted) on November 11. Details: [Mission BBQ Veterans Day Page].
- O’Charley’s Restaurant: Veterans and active duty personnel could enjoy a free meal, choosing from several menu favorites. Details: [O’Charley’s Veterans Day Page].
- Grub Burger Bar: Veterans and active military members received a free meal on November 11. Details: [Grub Burger Veterans Day Page].
- IHOP: Active duty and retired veterans were invited for a free breakfast on November 11. Details: [IHOP Veterans Day Page].
- Farmer Boys: Veterans and active duty military with valid proof of service received a free cheeseburger on November 11. Call local locations for details.
- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Veterans and active duty military with valid proof received a free lunch or dinner entrée on November 11. Call local locations for details.
- Fired Pie: Veterans and active duty military in uniform or with valid proof received a free entrée on November 11. Call local locations for details.
- Little Caesars Pizza: Veterans and active duty military with valid ID received a free $5 Hot-N-Ready lunch combo on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details: [Little Caesars Veterans Day Page].
- Golden Corral: Military veterans, retirees, and active duty members received a free sit-in "thank you" dinner on November 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Details: Golden Corral Military Appreciation.
- Manhattan Bagel Company: Active, former, and retired military personnel with valid identification received a free bagel and cream cheese on November 11, no purchase required. Call local locations for details.
- TGI Fridays: Veterans and active duty military received a free lunch (details specify guests from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on November 11, plus a $5 coupon for a future meal. Call local locations for details.
- Subway: Military veterans with valid ID received a free six-inch sub on November 11 at select locations. Call or visit nearest locations for details.
- Hometown Buffet: Active duty, reserve, or retired military personnel in uniform or with valid ID received a 15% discount on Military Mondays (including November 11), every Monday. Details: Hometown Buffet Military Page.
- Old Country Buffet: Similar to Hometown Buffet, active duty, reserve, or retired military personnel received a 15% discount on Military Mondays, applicable to up to four family members. Ask servers for details.
- Joe’s Crab Shack: Veterans and active duty military with valid ID received 20% off on November 11. Call local locations for details.
Airport Dining Offers
- HMSHost Airport Restaurants: On November 11, U.S. active-duty military and veterans with ID could enjoy a complimentary Pimento Cheeseburger at over 70 participating HMSHost airport restaurants. Participating locations: HMSHost Veterans Day.
All restaurant offers required verification of military status. Veterans should note that some promotions, like the TGI Fridays $5 coupon, were for future use and subject to local terms.
Retail and Service Discounts
Retailers and service providers offered percentage-based discounts on purchases and complimentary services, available in-store or online during the Veterans Day period. These discounts often extended to family members and required valid military identification.
Retail Discounts
- The Home Depot: Veterans received a 10% military discount on in-store purchases of select items during the Veterans Day weekend (November 11, 2019). All veterans were eligible. Details: [The Home Depot Veterans Day Page].
- Walgreens: From November 8–11, 2019, military members, veterans, and their families received 20% off eligible items. Additionally, Walgreens provided free flu shots for VA-enrolled veterans. Details: [Walgreens Veterans Day Page].
- Rack Room Shoes: United States military members and families with valid ID received 10% off the entire purchase on November 11, in-store only. Details: Rack Room Shoes Military Discount.
- Dollar General: Veterans and their families received an 11% discount on qualifying items in-store and online on November 11. Details: [Dollar General Veterans Day Page].
Service Offers
- AFC Urgent Care: Veterans were encouraged to visit AFCUrgentCare.com for free flu shots (reminder: VA-enrolled veterans could also receive free flu shots at Walgreens). Details: [AFC Urgent Care Veterans Page].
- True Rest Float Spa: Active duty military and veterans received a free 60-minute float session on November 11. Details: [True Rest Veterans Day Page].
- Grace for Vets: Veterans and service personnel received a free car wash on November 11, 2019. This non-profit organization coordinated over 1,500 independent car washes in four countries. Details: Grace for Vets.
These discounts emphasized in-store verification, with some online options like Dollar General's 11% off. Free flu shots were a notable health benefit, particularly for VA-enrolled veterans.
Entertainment and Recreation Offers
Several entertainment venues provided free admission or discounted tickets to veterans and military personnel, often requiring proof of service and offering companion discounts.
Theme Parks and Museums
- Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell, Georgia): Veterans and disabled veterans received one free admission ticket on November 9–10, 2019, with valid Military ID or DD214. Additional tickets for family or friends were available at 50% off plus tax. Details: [Six Flags Over Georgia Veterans Page].
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, California): Active military members, veterans, and first responders received free admission during Heroes Days (November 9–11, 2019). Each eligible participant could bring up to three guests at half price plus city fee. Proper ID (First Responder ID, Military ID, or DD-214) was required. Details: [Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Veterans Page].
- Six Flags Great America (Chicago, Illinois): On November 9 and 10, active members and veterans received free admission by presenting proof of service. Discounts were available for up to four companions. Details: [Six Flags Great America Veterans Page].
- KGB Espionage Museum: Veterans paid $13 instead of the regular adult price of $22 or senior price of $17 on November 11. Details: [KGB Museum Veterans Page].
- National Parks: Over 100 national parks waived admission fees on November 11, 2019. Contact local parks for information. Disabled veterans were eligible for a free National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass. Details: [National Park Service Veterans Page].
Other Recreational Offers
- Harley-Davidson Museum: Veterans received special admission offers; details were available on the museum's website. Details: [Harley-Davidson Museum Veterans Page].
These offers highlighted accessibility for veterans, with companion discounts enhancing value for families. Proof of service, such as military ID or DD214, was universally required.
Health and Wellness Offers
Beyond flu shots, select wellness providers offered complimentary services to support veterans' health.
- True Rest Float Spa: A free 60-minute float session for active duty and veterans on November 11, as noted in the retail and services section.
- AFC Urgent Care: Free flu shots for veterans, with reminders that VA-enrolled veterans could use Walgreens for this service.
These health-focused benefits were limited but valuable, emphasizing partnerships like VA-Walgreens for flu prevention.
Eligibility and Redemption Process
To access these offers, veterans and military personnel needed to provide valid proof of service. Acceptable documentation typically included: - Military ID (active, reserve, or retired). - DD214 form. - Uniform presentation (for some offers). - Other government-issued veteran identification.
For most restaurant and retail offers, redemption was straightforward: present proof at the point of sale or admission. However, it was recommended to call ahead to confirm participation at local venues, as not all locations within a chain may have honored the promotion. Online discounts, such as those from Dollar General or Walgreens, required verification during checkout, often through promo codes or account setup linked to military status.
Some offers, like the free meal at Little Caesars (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) or Golden Corral dinner (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.), had specific time windows. Companion discounts, such as at Six Flags parks, allowed veterans to bring guests at reduced rates, typically up to four people.
The VA emphasized that sharing these details does not constitute an endorsement, and consumers should verify with the offering organization. For ongoing benefits, veterans can explore the VA Welcome Kit for resources on health care, education, and more.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2019 offered a diverse range of free meals, discounts, and services to honor military service, spanning restaurants, retail, health, and entertainment. Key benefits included complimentary entrées at chains like Outback and Golden Corral, percentage discounts at retailers like Home Depot and Walgreens, and free admissions at theme parks such as Six Flags. Eligibility hinged on valid military identification, with many offers available exclusively on November 11 or during the surrounding weekend. Veterans and their families should always confirm details with local providers, as participation varies. These programs underscore the nation's appreciation, but verification remains essential to ensure accurate redemption.