Veterans Day 2019 presented numerous opportunities for military personnel and veterans to access complimentary goods and services. Businesses across various sectors, including dining, automotive care, retail, and entertainment, organized promotional events to honor service members. These offers typically required proof of service, such as a military ID, and were often valid only on November 11, 2019. The following comprehensive overview details the specific freebies and discounts available during that period, categorized by industry.
Dining and Restaurant Complimentary Meals
The restaurant industry provided the most extensive selection of Veterans Day freebies in 2019. Establishments ranged from national fast-food chains to sit-down restaurants, offering everything from breakfast items to full entrees.
Breakfast and Casual Dining
IHOP offered a complimentary breakfast to active duty and retired veterans on November 11, 2019. The promotion specifically included a "free" breakfast, though the exact menu items were detailed on the IHOP website. Golden Corral hosted a "thank you" dinner for all military personnel from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Veterans Day.
Dunkin’ Donuts provided a free donut for all military personnel on November 11, with no purchase necessary. Applebee’s offered a complimentary full-size entree from an exclusive Veterans Day menu for all veterans and active-duty military. Chili’s provided a free meal from a select Veterans Day menu.
Texas Roadhouse hosted a free lunch for veterans and active military on November 11, available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all locations. TGI Fridays treated military guests with valid ID to a free lunch menu item up to a value of $12, available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These guests also received a $5 coupon for a future visit.
Outback Steakhouse provided a free Bloomin’ Onion on Veterans Day. Additionally, Outback increased their standard military discount to 20% from November 8 through November 11 for military personnel and first responders with valid ID, extending this benefit to immediate family members.
Seafood and Barbecue
Red Lobster offered a free appetizer or dessert with a valid military ID. Sonny’s BBQ provided a free Pulled or Sliced Pork Big Deal combo for veterans and active duty military with valid ID, valid for dine-in only.
Lucille’s BBQ offered a complimentary dessert with proof of service on November 11. Carraba’s provided free calamari for all military personnel and first responders on Veterans Day, along with a 10% discount on all future visits.
Fast Food and Quick Service
Chipotle offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal on burritos, bowls, salads, or tacos when a military ID was shown on November 11. Zaxby’s provided a free TLC sandwich meal when military personnel purchased one on Veterans Day.
Little Caesar’s offered a free $5 hot-n-ready lunch combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day. Buffalo Wild Wings provided a free order of traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries for veterans and active duty military. Hooters offered a free meal from a special Veterans Day menu for all military personnel with valid ID.
Subway offered a free six-inch sub to military veterans with a valid ID at select locations on November 11.
Local and Regional Dining
In the Midlands region of South Carolina, Vicious Biscuit offered a free entrée for all veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day. They also provided a 20% discount to military and first responders. La Isla Bonita Restaurant hosted a Veterans Day luncheon at 1701 Percival Road, Columbia, SC, beginning on November 11, 2019. The event included special recognition of three Vietnam veterans.
Pizza Inn showed appreciation with special buffet discounts, and in some locations, offered free buffets for all Active Duty and Veterans on November 11.
Grub Burger was noted as offering details regarding Veterans Day promotions on their website. Hometown Buffet and Old Country Buffett offered a 15% discount on Military Mondays (including November 11) for active duty, reserve, or retired military personnel in uniform or with valid ID. Old Country Buffett extended this discount to up to four family members.
Fogo De Chao provided discounts from November 8-11, 2019, including 50% off the meal for veterans and active duty personnel, plus 10% off for up to three guests.
Automotive Services
Grace for Vets, a non-profit organization, coordinated a free car wash event on November 11, 2019. Over 1,500 independent car washes across four countries participated in this initiative to offer free car washes to veterans and service personnel.
Retail and Grocery Discounts
Several grocery and retail chains offered percentage-based discounts on Veterans Day.
Publix offered a 10% discount on purchases for veterans, active military, and their families on November 11, 2019. Exceptions applied, and proof of Veteran or military ID, discharge documents, or a driver’s license with Veteran designation was required.
Food Lion provided a 10% discount for military personnel and their families on Veterans Day. Hy-Vee offered a free breakfast buffet for veterans and active duty military with valid ID during regular breakfast hours (6 a.m. to 11 a.m.) on November 11.
BJs Wholesale offered discounts on November 11, including 30% off standard membership fees for active duty military personnel and Veterans. Occasional additional incentives, such as extra money-off coupons, were offered for new members.
Kohl’s raised their military discount to 30% off in stores nationwide from November 7 through November 11.
Entertainment and Museums
The SC State Museum in South Carolina announced that veterans and active-duty military would receive free general admission on Veterans Day. Visitors were invited to explore four floors of exhibitions, including "Shared Sacrifice: SC in World War II," which highlighted the contributions of South Carolinians during the war.
Planet Fitness offered free club access to military personnel from November 8 through November 15, 2019. Active and veteran personnel received Black Card benefits during that week.
The KGB Espionage Museum offered discounted admission on November 11, 2019. While the usual price was $22 for adults and $17 for seniors, veterans paid only $13.
HMSHost offered a complimentary Pimento Cheeseburger for U.S. active-duty military and military Veterans with ID on November 11, 2019. This offer was available at more than 70 participating HMSHost airport restaurants.
Verification and Eligibility Requirements
Most offers required specific proof of service. Common requirements included: * Valid Military ID * Veteran designation on a driver’s license * Discharge documents (DD214) * Uniform (for active duty personnel)
Businesses generally advised customers to call ahead to local participating locations to confirm specific offer details and participation, as availability could vary by franchise and region. The Department of Veterans Affairs noted that the sharing of non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement, and consumers were advised to verify information directly with the organization offering the discount.
Conclusion
The 2019 Veterans Day landscape offered a wide array of complimentary meals, retail discounts, and service freebies for military members and veterans. The dining sector provided the most significant volume of offers, ranging from breakfast items to full dinners. Retailers and service providers, including car washes and museums, also participated in honoring service members through specific discounts and free access. Eligibility was generally restricted to active duty and veteran status, necessitating valid proof of service.