Every year on November 11th, Americans recognize and honor veterans with the national Veterans Day holiday. A wide variety of businesses across the country roll out special offers, free meals, and services exclusively for military members and veterans as a gesture of gratitude. These promotions span numerous categories, including food and dining, entertainment, retail, personal care, and automotive services. This guide compiles verified information from the provided source materials to detail the types of Veterans Day freebies available, common eligibility requirements, and examples of participating brands and locations.
Veterans Day Free Meals and Dining Offers
Veterans Day is a prominent day for complimentary dining, with many restaurant chains offering free meals or special menus to honor veterans. The offers are typically valid on Veterans Day itself, though some may extend through the weekend. To redeem these offers, veterans are generally required to present valid proof of military service, such as a military ID, VA card, or other official documentation, and dine in at the participating location.
Full-Service Restaurants
Several national full-service restaurant chains offer free entrées or special meals for veterans on November 11th. The specific menus and conditions vary by brand.
- Applebee’s: Veterans can choose one of eight free special Veterans Day meals and receive a $5 Bounce Back Card with dine-in service and proof of military service on 11/11/2024.
- Texas Roadhouse: Veterans receive a free meal voucher, which can be used for a future visit.
- Olive Garden: Veterans are offered a free meal from a select menu, which includes breadsticks, salad, or soup.
- Outback Steakhouse: For 2024, the chain is offering a special Aussie 3-course meal to veterans, a change from previous years which featured a blooming onion and a drink discount.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans can get a free entrée and beverage from a Veterans Day menu with dine-in visit and proof of service.
- California Fish Grill: Veterans receive a complimentary taco and soft drink.
- Chili’s Bar and Grill: Veterans get a free meal from a special menu.
- Claim Jumper: Veterans can enjoy a free meal from a special menu.
- Carrabba’s: Offers a 10% discount for veterans with dine-in visit and proof of service, an ongoing offer not limited to Veterans Day.
- BJ’s Restaurants: Veterans receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with dine-in purchase and proof of service on 11/11/2024. Veterans who dine on this date will also receive a free appetizer coupon for a next visit, valid through 12/31/2024.
- Bob Evans: Veterans can choose a free meal from a Veterans Day menu with dine-in visit and proof of service on 11/11/2024.
- Buca Di Beppo: Veterans get a free lunch entrée with dine-in visit, military ID, and a specific code (37362-5605-3730) on 11/11/2024.
- Chevys: Veterans receive a free 2-item Combo with dine-in visit, service ID, and code VET 2-ITEM on 11/11/2024.
- City Barbeque: Veterans get a free sandwich, one side, and a drink with an in-store visit (for dine-in or carryout) and proof of service on 11/11/2024.
- Cody’s Original Roadhouse: Veterans are offered a free meal on Veterans Day with proof of service.
- Another Broken Egg Café: Veterans receive a free Patriot French Toast Combo and Coffee with dine-in visit and valid ID on 11/11/2024.
- Bar Louie: Veterans can get a free Burger with dine-in visit and valid ID on 11/11/2024.
Breakfast and Casual Dining
Several restaurants offer free breakfast items or casual meals for veterans.
- IHOP: Veterans can enjoy free Red, White, and Blue pancakes during specific hours, typically from 7 a.m. to noon on Veterans Day.
- Coco’s Bakery Restaurant: In the Greater Los Angeles area, veterans can get a free homestyle breakfast.
- Golden Corral: The chain hosts a large Veterans Day Free Meal Event each year.
Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants
Quick-service options provide convenient meals for veterans on the go.
- Starbucks: Offers a free tall brewed coffee for veterans and military spouses. This offer is noted as being available to everyone in the family.
- Little Caesar’s Pizza: Some locations offer free pizza slices or discounts to veterans.
Local Diners and Cafes
Many family-owned, local diners and cafes offer discounts or free meals on Veterans Day. To find these regional deals, veterans are encouraged to check their local town or city’s website, local Facebook groups, or military base resources for information about smaller-scale promotions.
Veterans Day Entertainment Discounts
Beyond dining, various entertainment venues offer free admission or discounts for veterans on Veterans Day.
- California State Parks: Veterans and active-duty servicemembers receive free admission to California State Parks.
- National Parks: Free admission is offered to all visitors at National Parks on Veterans Day. A note of caution is provided that if the government is shut down, there may be possible delays or limited visitor capacity.
- USS Midway Museum: Located in San Diego, this museum offers free admission to veterans.
- Six Flags: While awaiting final confirmation for 2024, historically, active-duty personnel and veterans have received free park admission, with family and friends able to enjoy discounted ticket prices.
Personal Care and Wellness Freebies
Veterans Day provides an opportunity for self-care, with several providers offering free services.
- Great Clips: Veterans can receive a free haircut. A tip for the stylist is recommended.
- Sport Clips: Veterans can get a free haircut. It is advisable to check with local locations for specific hours of operation.
- Planet Fitness: Offers free access to the gym for veterans, typically on Veterans Day only.
Free Services and Experiences
Various service providers offer complimentary services to veterans, from automotive maintenance to pet care.
- Meineke: Provides a free oil change for veterans. Availability should be checked with the local location.
- Jiffy Lube: Offers a free oil change or a discount on car services for veterans.
- Car Wash Services: Some local chains and national providers, such as Mr. Clean Car Wash, may offer free or discounted car washes. It is recommended to check with local providers for specific Veterans Day promotions.
Retail Discounts and Considerations
While the provided source material focuses more on free services and meals, it mentions that retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s may offer special Veterans Day discounts. The source notes that these discounts may sometimes be stacked with other rewards programs, such as Target Circle. However, it is crucial to confirm the specific stacking policies with the store on Veterans Day, as policies can vary.
How to Redeem Veterans Day Offers
To successfully claim Veterans Day freebies, veterans should be prepared. Most offers require proof of military service. Common forms of acceptable documentation include: * Military ID * VA Card * Driver’s license or state ID with veteran designation * Other official documentation verifying service
It is also important to note that many offers are for dine-in service only and are valid on Veterans Day (November 11) unless otherwise specified. For local offers and participating locations, veterans should always contact the specific business or venue beforehand to confirm participation and any unique requirements. Checking social media and local community groups can also provide last-minute updates on smaller promotions.
Conclusion
Veterans Day freebies represent a nationwide effort to honor those who have served in the U.S. military. The promotions span a diverse range of categories, offering complimentary meals from major restaurant chains, free haircuts, gym access, automotive services, and free admission to parks and museums. While the offers are widespread, eligibility almost universally requires proof of military service, and many are valid only on November 11th. Veterans are encouraged to verify details with individual businesses and to bring appropriate documentation to ensure they can take advantage of these gestures of appreciation.