Memorial Day weekend in 2018 served as a significant period for businesses across the United States to express gratitude to active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. Numerous restaurants, retailers, and service providers structured special promotions, free meals, and product discounts specifically for the military community during this time. These offers ranged from complimentary entrees at national dining chains to percentage-based savings on retail purchases and entertainment admissions.
The availability of these promotions generally required proof of military service. According to the documentation, valid military identification was the standard requirement for accessing most offers. In some cases, alternative documentation such as discharge papers, Veterans Administration cards, or veterans organization membership cards were accepted. While many deals were available exclusively to active duty members and veterans, several businesses extended their appreciation to spouses, children, and Gold Star families. It was noted that participation and specific terms could vary by location, necessitating verification with individual establishments prior to visiting.
Dining and Restaurant Promotions
A significant portion of the 2018 Memorial Day freebies centered on complimentary meals and dining discounts. Major national chains structured deals specifically for the military community, often requiring the purchase of a beverage or another meal to unlock the free offer.
Hooters offered a free entree to all veterans and active-duty military personnel on Monday, May 28, 2018. This offer was valid with the purchase of a beverage and allowed selection from specific items including a 10-piece wings order, buffalo chicken salad, chicken sandwich, or a Hooters burger. The promotion was valid at participating locations with a valid military ID, dine-in only, limited to one offer per person.
Firebirds Grill provided a free meal to veterans or active duty service members, contingent on the purchase of another meal. The free meal was valued at an amount equal to or less than the purchased meal.
Logan’s Roadhouse offered service members a free meal from the American Roadhouse Meals menu on May 28, 2018, specifically during the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Outback Steakhouse extended a 20 percent discount on the entire check to all veterans and active military personnel from May 24 through May 28, 2018.
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery offered veterans and active military a free Magnificent 7 breakfast at participating locations on May 28, 2018.
Fogo de Chao provided veterans and active duty military with a 50 percent discount off dinner or lunch for Memorial Day. Additionally, guests of the military member (up to seven people) received a 20 percent discount on their tab.
Denny’s offered a free entree to veterans and active military personnel, as well as Gold Star parents and spouses, on Memorial Day. A valid military ID was required to receive a free meal with the purchase of any drink.
Krispy Kreme provided a free doughnut and cup of coffee on May 28, 2018, with a military ID.
Olive Garden offered a 20 percent discount on the bill to customers presenting a military ID.
Pizza Hut offered a large, carry-out, two-topping pizza for $5.99.
Retail and Shopping Discounts
Retailers participated in Memorial Day appreciation by offering percentage-based discounts on purchases, particularly for military members shopping for household goods or outdoor equipment.
Food Lion offered a 10 percent discount on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018, for active or retired military personnel. To receive the discount, customers were required to present their military ID and MVP card at checkout. The discount was applied before taxes, and store exclusions applied.
Home Depot offered a 10 percent discount in-store to all military veterans on Memorial Day.
Bass Pro Shops offered a 5 percent discount every day to active military, veterans, retirees, National Guardsmen, and Reservists. Identification was required.
Walgreens offered a 20 percent discount on regular priced items to veterans and active military who possessed a Walgreens Balance Rewards card.
Cabela’s offered a 5 percent discount to active and retired military, active reservists, and VA recipients, as well as Law-Enforcement, Firefighters, and Emergency Medical Service personnel, with proof of service.
Entertainment, Travel, and Services
Several providers offered free admission to entertainment venues and discounts on travel and personal services during the Memorial Day period.
Disneyland offered specially priced theme park tickets to active duty or retired members of the military. This included Military Promotional 3-Day or 4-Day Park Hopper tickets, allowing visits to multiple parks per day. These tickets were valid through December 19, 2018, and could be purchased by December 2018.
Great Wolf Lodge offered the "Howling Heroes" discount, providing 30 percent off the best available rates for active, retired, and veteran military service members, as well as fire, police, and correctional officers.
Knott’s Berry Farm allowed military members to show their ID to save on admission, noted as an everyday offer rather than a specific Memorial Day promotion.
Churchill Downs hosted a Military Appreciation Day on Monday, May 28. Active members or veterans could show a valid military ID to receive free general admission or a discounted ticket ($29) to the Millionaires Row dining room. Tickets for the dining room ranged from $3 to $39.
Museums offered free admission to active duty military, veterans, and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
National Park Service offered free admission to all visitors on Veterans Day, though this was a separate holiday from Memorial Day.
Conclusion
The 2018 Memorial Day period provided a wide array of opportunities for military members and veterans to access free meals, retail discounts, and entertainment benefits. The offers detailed in the documentation highlight a national trend of businesses offering specific promotions during the holiday weekend. While many of these deals were structured for Memorial Day, some retailers, such as Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, offered year-round discounts, and Knott’s Berry Farm offered daily military savings. Access to these promotions consistently required valid proof of military service, and consumers were advised to check with specific locations regarding participation and offer details.
Sources
- Memorial Day Offers for Military 2018
- Fortune: Memorial Day 2018 Deals for Veterans
- AL.com: Memorial Day 2018 Best Deals
- USA Today: Memorial Day 2018 Where Vets and Military Eat Free
- Courier-Journal: Memorial Day Freebies Discounts Military Louisville
- Patch: Best Memorial Day Deals 2018 Orange County
- KTVQ: Multiple Billings Businesses Offering Special Deals on Veterans Day