Memorial Day serves as a significant observance in the United States, honoring the sacrifices of military personnel. In 2018, residents of Austintown, Ohio, and surrounding areas had access to a variety of free offerings, community events, and veteran-focused promotions. These opportunities ranged from complimentary meals and services for veterans to public ceremonies and unique local attractions. This article provides a detailed examination of these freebies and events, drawing exclusively from verified sources to ensure accuracy for consumers seeking no-cost opportunities during the holiday period.
Community-Focused Free Events in Austintown
Austintown residents participated in several community-driven initiatives that offered free access to patriotic displays and volunteer opportunities. One notable event centered on the arrival of "The Wall That Heals," a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which made its way to Warren, Ohio, in May 2018. Warren was the sole city in Ohio hosting the wall that year. The display contained the names of 58,281 military personnel killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War, including 103 from Mahoning County and 61 from Trumbull County. Organizers encouraged residents to show patriotism by lining the route as the wall traveled with a motorcycle escort from Quaker Steak & Lube on Patriot Boulevard in Austintown to Packard Park. The procession began lining up at 1 p.m. and departed at 2 p.m., traveling via Interstate 80 East to state Route 11 North to state Route 82 West, exiting at East Market Street. This free public display provided an opportunity for residents to engage with a solemn historical tribute without any cost.
In addition to the wall display, volunteer opportunities were available for those wishing to contribute to Memorial Day preparations. The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission sought volunteers for an annual flag placement event on April 21, 2018. This initiative aimed to decorate the graves of fallen veterans, with a goal of covering over 20,000 final resting places in time for Memorial Day. The commission invited not only veterans' organizations but also any community members interested in participating in this time-honored tradition. A volunteer meeting was held at the commission's office at 345 Oak Hill Ave., Suite 100, Youngstown, OH 44502, at 11 a.m. on April 21 to review cemetery assignments and distribute contact information for cemetery captains. Due to limited space, groups were asked to send no more than two representatives. This event offered a no-cost way for individuals to honor veterans through active participation, fostering community spirit and patriotism.
Memorial Day Ceremonies and Processions
Memorial Day activities in nearby Salem provided free access to ceremonies and processions open to the public. These events began with a complimentary breakfast at 7:45 a.m. at St. Paul School for veterans and select individuals involved in the day's proceedings. Following breakfast, a memorial service commenced at 9 a.m. on the Village Green at the corner of State Street and Lincoln Avenue. The service included an invocation, posting of colors, Pledge of Allegiance, wreath placement, a volley, Taps, and a benediction—elements standard to traditional Memorial Day observances.
At 9:30 a.m., units assembled for a procession to Hope Cemetery, departing at 10 a.m. The procession was led by a police escort, followed by the Salem VFW Guard, the Salem High School Marching Band, and vans carrying the honorary marshal, the day's speaker, Pastor Doug George of the First United Methodist Church, Lippiatt, and President of the Day Doug Brannon. The remainder of the procession included the Salem AMVETS Color Guard. The route followed East State Street to Lincoln Avenue to the cemetery, where Dave Coy announced the proceedings. These ceremonies were free and accessible to all residents, emphasizing community remembrance without requiring tickets or fees.
Free Offers for Veterans and Military Personnel
Veterans and active-duty military personnel in Austintown and the broader Northeast Ohio region benefited from a range of freebies and discounts on and around Veterans Day in 2017 and 2018, which often extended into Memorial Day periods due to overlapping promotional calendars. While the provided sources focus primarily on Veterans Day, many offers were applicable to military honorees during patriotic holidays, including Memorial Day.
One prominent free offering was from Great Clips salons nationwide. On November 11, veterans could receive a free haircut that day or obtain a free haircut card to use later, redeemable until December 31. Active/inactive/retired military members of any branch, including the National Guard, were eligible. For those who purchased a haircut on Veterans Day, Great Clips provided a free haircut card to give to an active or veteran military member, extending the benefit beyond the individual.
Home improvement retailers offered significant discounts: The Home Depot provided a 10% discount to all military veterans on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veterans Day. Similarly, Lowe's Home Improvement offered 10% off to veterans and active-duty service members daily by signing up for a MyLowes card (a non-credit card), a change from previous years when the discount was limited to specific holidays like Veterans Day.
For dining and entertainment, several venues provided free meals or access. Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield offered free buffets for veterans and active-duty personnel on Veterans Day, with breakfast from 8-10 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Fresh Harvest Buffet upon presentation of valid military ID. Additionally, a 15% discount was available at the Rock Shop. In Cleveland, JACK Cleveland Casino extended a free lunch buffet to veterans, retirees, and active-duty military who were ClubJACK members. Burntwood Tavern locations in Chagrin Falls, Rocky River, Solon, Brecksville, Cuyahoga Falls, Lyndhurst, Crocker Park, and Fairlawn, OH, invited vets and active-duty military on Veterans Day to receive a free lunch or dinner.
Travel and automotive services also featured freebies. Red Roof Inn offered 40% off room rates for active or retired military members booking between November 1 and November 22, 2017, for stays through February 28, 2018, under its "Home for the Holidays Discount." Defender Auto Glass in Mentor provided free chip repairs and 15% off glass replacements for U.S. military veterans from November 6-10, 2017, valid only at the Mentor facility. Meineke offered up to 45% off select services from October 14 to November 11, 2017, at participating locations. Rack Room Shoes gave 10% off entire purchases on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July to military personnel and dependents.
Educational and cultural freebies included free admission for veterans to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton throughout November and on Veterans Day, allowing free entry for active military and veterans plus one guest. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron provided complimentary self-guided tours for veterans and current service members on November 11, 2017, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. OH WOW! Children's Center in Youngstown offered free admission to veterans on November 10, 2017. The Akron Zoo provided free admission to veterans (past and present) with valid military ID from November 5-11, 2017, with family members receiving 50% off.
Transportation was free on certain routes: METRO in Akron offered free fares on all line-service routes on November 11, 2017. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waived all day-use fees at over 2,800 recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, including areas accessible to Ohio residents.
Eyewear discounts were available through Oakley, which offered an extra 10% off all standard-issue eyewear for military and first responders on November 11 and 12, 2017, via their official site.
Local Food Promotions and Freebies
Austintown-area residents enjoyed free food promotions tied to patriotic holidays. On National Hot Dog Day, Suzie's Dogs and Drafts in Boardman and Downtown Youngstown locations gave away free stadium-style hot dogs to each customer all day. This promotion was designated by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council as the official day to celebrate hot dogs, with estimates of over seven billion hot dogs consumed by Americans between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Suzie's locations at 34 N. Phelps St., Youngstown, and 1393 Boardman Canfield Rd., Boardman, operated from 11 a.m. to midnight, providing free access to hot dogs without purchase requirements.
Eligibility and Access Rules
Access to these freebies and events generally required proof of military status for veteran-specific offers, such as valid military ID for buffets, haircuts, and admissions. For community events like the flag placement or memorial processions, no eligibility criteria were specified beyond willingness to volunteer or attend. The Wall That Heals display was open to the public without restrictions. For retail discounts, sign-up processes like MyLowes card registration were noted for Lowe's, while others required on-site verification.
Geographic restrictions applied to some offers, such as the Defender Auto Glass free chip repair being limited to the Mentor facility. However, most dining, entertainment, and retail promotions were available at participating locations nationwide or regionally in Ohio. Expiration dates varied: Great Clips cards were redeemable until year-end 2017, while Red Roof Inn discounts applied to stays through early 2018.
Conclusion
In 2018, Austintown, Ohio, and neighboring communities offered a robust array of free Memorial Day-related opportunities, from solemn public tributes like The Wall That Heals to practical freebies for veterans such as meals, haircuts, and discounts. These events and promotions underscored the region's commitment to honoring military service while providing accessible, no-cost options for residents. Consumers seeking similar opportunities in future years should monitor official community calendars and brand announcements for updated offers.