Military Spouse Appreciation Day, observed on Friday, May 9, 2025, is a dedicated time to acknowledge the significant contributions, support, and sacrifices of spouses of the Armed Forces. As part of the broader National Military Appreciation Month in May, various businesses and organizations create special offers to honor these individuals. These initiatives range from enhanced retail discounts to complimentary beverages and services. The following guide details the verified freebies and discounts available for military spouses during this period, based on information from community organizations, local businesses, and national promotional platforms.
Local Community Initiatives and Retail Discounts
In Bossier City, Louisiana, a collaborative effort between the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Louisiana Military Support Foundation (NWLA MSF) has mobilized local businesses to show appreciation. Participating establishments are offering enhanced discounts specifically for military spouses on May 9, 2025.
Simply Chic Boutique, Rosewood Home and Baby, and Birdwell’s: These locally owned businesses typically offer year-round military discounts of 10–15%. For Military Spouse Appreciation Day, they will increase this discount to 20% for military spouses who present a valid military ID at the time of checkout. Angela Pfanner, owner of Birdwell’s, expressed the business's honor in supporting the community's military families through this initiative.
Brewteaful Café: In partnership with Barksdale Federal Credit Union, the NWLA Military Support Foundation is providing free drinks at Brewteaful Café, located on Barksdale Air Force Base. This offer is valid from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 9, 2025.
Krista Augustson, Military Relations Liaison for the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, noted that Military Appreciation Month provides a meaningful opportunity for the business community to demonstrate its valuation of military families' service and sacrifices.
National Retail, Dining, and Service Offers
Several national brands and platforms have partnered with military-focused communities to offer exclusive discounts and freebies for military members and their families, including spouses, throughout or in honor of Military Appreciation Month.
Mission BBQ: In observance of Military Appreciation Month, Mission BBQ offers a free sandwich to all active service members and veterans. This promotion runs from Monday, May 12, through Saturday, May 17, 2025, with free sandwiches available on each designated military branch day.
Caraway Home: This brand offers an exclusive military discount in partnership with MilitaryBridge. Active military personnel, veterans, and their families receive an additional 5% discount on top of most existing sales.
Studio Sweat onDemand (SSOD): An online fitness platform, SSOD provides a 50% discount off annual memberships for active military, veterans, and their families. This partnership is facilitated through MilitaryBridge.
ButcherBox: Military members can receive an exclusive $10 discount on their first box, which includes grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, wild-caught seafood, and heritage pork. The offer is accessible using the promo code MILITARYBRIDGE10.
iFLY Virginia Beach: Active duty and veteran military personnel receive a 15% discount on all First Time Flyer Packages during the month of May 2025. This offer requires proof of service, must be booked and flown between May 1 and May 31, 2025, and is not valid on vouchers.
Tonal: Tonal, a home gym system, is listed as a partner offering a military discount, though specific percentage or savings details are not provided in the available documentation.
Travel, Entertainment, and Year-Round Benefits
Beyond immediate retail and dining offers, military spouses and their families can access a variety of discounts for travel and entertainment, many of which are available year-round or specifically during May 2025.
National Park Service: Military members and their dependents are eligible for a free annual pass to all National Parks. This is a year-round benefit.
Silverwood Theme Park: Located in Idaho, Silverwood offers free admission to all military personnel, veterans, police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel on May 24, 25, and 26, 2025. Immediate family members (spouse and children) receive a special discounted rate when purchasing tickets at the front gate. Valid identification is required.
Dollywood: From April 21 to June 13, 2025, military members can participate in Dollywood’s Public Employee Appreciation Days. This includes discounted tickets for the service member and up to six guests.
Colonial Williamsburg: Active-duty military, reservists, National Guard personnel, retired military, and veterans receive complimentary admission for themselves and their dependents from May 23 through May 26, 2025. The location also offers a generous military discount program available year-round.
Georgia Aquarium: The aquarium salutes active duty and veteran military personnel with free admission on Armed Forces Day (May 17, 2025) and Memorial Day (May 26, 2025). Family members receive a 30% military discount on these days. The aquarium also maintains a year-round Military Discount Program and Military Membership Program.
Great Wolf Lodge: This resort chain offers the "Howling Heroes" military discount, providing up to 30% off select rooms for military members in 2025.
Churchill Downs: Home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs hosts Military Appreciation Days on May 26, 2025, and June 14, 2025. Attendees with valid military ID receive free general admission or a discounted ticket to Millionaires Row.
Military Tee Times: This service provides exclusive savings on tee times at over 8,000 golf courses worldwide for members of the United States Military.
Birdies For The Brave: This is a national military outreach initiative dedicated to honoring and showing appreciation to the Armed Forces and their families.
Specialized and Creative Freebies
Some offers extend beyond traditional discounts into unique services and products designed to support military families in different ways.
- A Story Before Bed: Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are deploying or have already deployed can sign up for a free recording of a bedtime story for their children. This service is available year-round.
Conclusion
Military Spouse Appreciation Day 2025 sees a wide array of businesses and organizations offering enhanced discounts and freebies to honor the sacrifices of military spouses. These offers, concentrated around May 9 but often extending throughout May or year-round, cover categories including retail, dining, fitness, travel, and entertainment. Most offers require verification of military status, typically through a valid military ID. The initiatives in Bossier City, Louisiana, serve as a prime example of local community engagement, while national brands provide broader access to savings and experiences for military families across the United States.
Sources
- Military Bridge: Military Appreciation Month Top Discounts Freebies and Giveaways for Military
- Bossier Chamber and Local Businesses Celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day
- Military Spouse: Military Appreciation Month Discounts Deals Freebies 2025
- True Money Saver: Military Appreciation Freebies Discounts
