Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in service to their country. While the day is rooted in remembrance, many brands and retailers extend their gratitude to living veterans and active-duty service members through special discounts, free products, and promotional offers. These gestures range from complimentary meals at restaurants to significant savings on apparel, electronics, and home goods. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the verified freebies and discounts available to military personnel and their families during the Memorial Day period, based on current and historical promotional data.
Restaurant and Food Offers
A significant portion of Memorial Day promotions focuses on dining, with numerous national restaurant chains offering free meals or discounts to military members and veterans. These offers typically require proof of service, such as a military ID, and are often valid only on or around Memorial Day.
Complimentary Meals and Discounts
Several prominent dining establishments have been confirmed to offer free entrées or substantial discounts: - Hooters: Provides a free entrée to veterans and active service members who present a military ID on Memorial Day. - Logan’s Roadhouse: Offers a free meal to military members and veterans from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Memorial Day. - Applebee’s: Extends a 15 percent discount on meals for military members and veterans throughout the entire month of May. Additionally, Applebee’s has previously offered a free Fandango movie ticket for Top Gun: Maverick with the purchase of a $25 or more meal (dine-in, to-go, or delivery), and two tickets for purchases of $50 or more. - Outback Steakhouse: Offers a 20 percent discount on meals for first responders, police officers, firefighters, and military members from May 23 through Memorial Day. A state or federal ID is required. - Bonefish Grill: Provides a year-round Heroes Discount of 10 percent for all service members, veterans, and first responders. - Carrabba’s: Offers a consistent 10 percent discount for military personnel and veterans. - Denny’s: Features a promotion where diners can buy an Original Grand Slam or All-American Slam Breakfast and get a second plate for just $1, valid through June 8. From May 23 to 25, Denny’s also offers $10 off online orders of $30 or more. - Burger King: As part of its Perks Week celebration, offered a buy-one-get-one-free Whopper on Memorial Day, along with a free Frozen Fanta Strawberry on May 24 and free Chicken Nuggets on May 25. - Caribou Coffee: Provided a free hot brewed coffee of the day to service members, their spouses, and families on Memorial Day. The brand also donated $0.25 (up to $50,000) to the American Red Cross Service for every purchase made on that day. - 7-Eleven: Members of Veterans Advantage receive a free coffee or Big Gulp on Memorial Day and can earn extra rewards by linking their 7Rewards and Veterans Advantage accounts. - Wendy’s: Offers special coupon savings on patriotic holidays, including Memorial Day, to members of Veterans Advantage.
Gift Card Bonuses
Some brands incentivize dining with gift card promotions that can be used for future visits: - Carrabba’s: From now through June 21, customers can purchase $50 in gift cards to thank a service member.
Retail and Apparel Discounts
Beyond dining, a wide array of retailers offer exclusive discounts to military personnel, veterans, and sometimes first responders. These span categories from home improvement to fashion and electronics.
Home Goods and Outdoor Gear
- Lowe’s: Provides a 10 percent discount on purchases for active military members and veterans.
- Home Depot: Offers a 10 percent discount to all veterans on Memorial Day. The retailer also provides a year-round 10 percent discount to active military members.
- Bass Pro Shops: Extends a 5 percent discount to military members every day.
- Academy Sports + Outdoors: Offers a 10 percent discount online and in stores to military members and first responders, valid through July 4.
- Sleep Number: Confirmed as one of the brands offering military discounts.
Apparel and Footwear
- Adidas: Provides 30 percent off for military personnel, veterans, first responders, teachers, medical professionals, and nurses online or in-store. An additional 20 percent off is available at Adidas factory outlet stores after verification.
- Alpha Industries: Offers 30 percent off for active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel, with some exclusions applying.
- Armitron: Provides a 10 percent discount on online purchases for active duty military, veterans, and dependents. Verification is completed online, and a single-use code is sent via email for checkout.
- Reebok: Confirmed as a brand offering military discounts.
- Under Armour: Confirmed as a brand offering military discounts.
- Crocs: Confirmed as a brand offering military discounts.
- HeyDude: Confirmed as a brand offering military discounts.
- Stanley: Confirmed as a brand offering military discounts.
Electronics and Other Goods
- Samsung: Confirmed as a brand offering military discounts.
- Texas de Brazil: Offers a 15 percent discount off regular dinner and lunch prices for military members, veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers. The discount is valid for up to four guests per visit with a valid ID.
- TGI Fridays: Has offered a 25 percent discount on all family meals and platters during the Memorial Day weekend.
Other Promotions and Freebies
While most offers are tied to dining or retail, some brands provide unique promotional opportunities: - Caribou Coffee: In addition to free coffee, the brand’s Memorial Day donation initiative supports active-duty service members, veterans, and military families. - Cali'flour Foods: Offered a 10 percent discount on low-carb crusts and flatbreads between May 25 and May 30 with the code MDW2022.
Eligibility and Verification
Eligibility for Memorial Day offers generally requires one or more of the following: - Active Duty Military Status: Current members of the U.S. Armed Forces. - Veteran Status: Individuals who have served in the military and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. - First Responder Status: Some offers extend to police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. - Family Members: Spouses and sometimes dependents of service members are included in certain promotions.
Proof of eligibility is typically required at the point of sale or online verification: - In-Store: A military ID, veteran ID card, state-issued ID with veteran designation, or other official documentation. - Online: Verification through third-party services like Veterans Advantage or SheerID, which may require uploading documentation or logging in with a verified account.
It is important to note that participation can vary by location, especially for restaurant chains. Consumers are advised to check with their local establishments to confirm participation in specific promotions.
Conclusion
Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by members of the U.S. military. To honor this service, a broad spectrum of brands offers free products and discounts to veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families. These promotions span essential categories such as dining, home improvement, apparel, and electronics, providing meaningful savings and gestures of appreciation. Service members and their families should review the specific eligibility requirements and verification processes for each offer, as details can vary by brand and location.