Veterans Day 2016 was marked by a significant nationwide effort to honor active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families through a wide array of complimentary meals, retail discounts, and service-based freebies. Businesses across multiple categories participated in this observance, ranging from national restaurant chains and retail stores to service providers and attractions. The promotions were designed to express gratitude for military service, with offers typically requiring proof of service, such as a military ID, and often valid for dine-in service only on November 11, 2016. This guide consolidates the verified freebies and discounts available during that period, focusing on the categories of food, beverages, services, and experiences.
Restaurant and Food Offers
A major component of Veterans Day 2016 freebies involved complimentary meals and specific menu items at participating restaurant chains. These offers were predominantly available on November 11, 2016, and required verification of military status. The following list details the specific promotions from national chains as documented in the source material.
- 54th Street Grill: Veterans could receive a complimentary entree on November 11.
- Applebee’s: The chain offered a free meal to veterans and active duty military on November 11. Customers could choose from a limited menu, which in some locations included options such as a classic bacon cheeseburger, chicken tenders, double crunch shrimp, and a 6-ounce top sirloin steak.
- Arooga’s: Free meals from a limited menu were available to veterans on November 11.
- Bakers Square: A complimentary breakfast from a set menu was offered on November 11.
- Bar Louie: Veterans and active military personnel could receive a free appetizer or entree.
- Ben’s Soft Pretzels: Veterans received a free Jumbo Soft Pretzel at participating locations on November 11.
- B.J.’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Active duty military and veterans received a complimentary entree valued at $12.95 or under on November 11. This offer required military ID or proof of service. Some locations also provided a free Dr. Pepper on the side and offered $5 craft beers for patrons aged 21 and older.
- Black Angus Steakhouse: The chain provided a free top sirloin steak dinner for veterans, which included mashed potatoes, broccoli, and sweet molasses bread.
- Bob Evans: Free meals were given to veterans from a special menu only on November 11.
- Bonanza Steakhouses: A free buffet was available for active duty and retired military on November 11.
- Boston Market: Veterans could score a free brownie or cookie with any purchase on November 11.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: The offer included one complementary small traditional or boneless wings (10-12 wings) with a small order of fries for veterans and active duty service members for dine-in.
- Chili’s: The restaurant offered a free entree from a special menu to veterans.
- Denny’s: A complimentary Grand Slam was available for active military, non-active, and retired military personnel.
- Fatz Café: One free ‘World Famous Calabash Chicken’ entrée, including a ‘Signature Sidekick’ and a choice of soup or salad, was offered. This was dine-in only.
- Fazoli’s: Provided one free ‘Build Your Own Pasta Bowl’ for veterans and active duty members with ID or uniform.
- Golden Corral: A Military Appreciation Night was held on Monday, November 14, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., where military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard, and reserves could enjoy a free dinner.
- Hooters: Offered free meals to veterans and active duty military on November 11 from a specific Veterans Day Menu including 10-piece traditional wings, 10-piece boneless wings, a Hooters burger, a buffalo chicken salad, or a buffalo chicken sandwich. Military ID or proof of service was required.
- IHOP: Offered free meals between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Veterans Day.
- Logan’s: Provided free meals to veterans and active duty military.
- McCormick & Schmick’s: Offered a free meal to veterans.
Beverage and Snack Freebies
In addition to full meals, several companies offered free beverages or snacks as a token of appreciation.
- Starbucks: Offered all veterans, active-duty military members, and their spouses a free tall (12-ounce) coffee.
- 7-Eleven: Stores offered a free quarter-pound hot dog, which could be ordered online or in-store.
Retail, Service, and Experience-Based Freebies
Beyond food and beverage, Veterans Day 2016 included a variety of free services, retail products, and admissions to attractions.
- Auto Services: Several auto service providers offered complimentary services. These included oil changes and other basic services, though specific participating locations and chains were not detailed in the provided sources. Consumers were advised to call ahead to confirm that a specific location was honoring the promotion, particularly for independently owned franchises.
- Haircuts: Veterans could receive a complimentary haircut or a free haircut card at participating locations. These cards were typically valid for redemption until December 31, 2016.
- Retail Discounts: A comprehensive list of discounts on goods and services was available, though specific retailers and product categories were not itemized in the provided chunks. The discounts covered a range of categories, including retail goods, automotive services, and events.
- Vacation Giveaway: Westgate Resorts planned to give away 1,000 free vacations. Starting at 9 a.m. EST on November 11, the first 1,000 qualifying servicemembers who submitted the online military appreciation form and made a fully refundable $75 deposit would be awarded a free three-day, two-night vacation for up to four individuals at Westgate Town Center from May 5-7, 2017.
- Digital Subscription: Dashlane offered a free 1-year subscription to Dashlane Premium for veterans and active duty military. Sign-up was available at Dashlane.com/Veterans.
Eligibility and Verification Requirements
The eligibility and verification process for Veterans Day 2016 freebies was standardized across most participating businesses. The offers were generally extended to active duty military personnel, veterans, and sometimes retirees and reserves. Documentation requirements varied by establishment but commonly included:
- Military ID: This was the most common form of verification requested.
- Proof of Service: Some locations accepted other forms of proof, such as wearing a uniform or presenting a veteran organization membership card.
- Uniform: Wearing a military uniform was often accepted in lieu of an ID.
- Online Verification: Some offers, such as the Westgate Resorts vacation giveaway, required online registration and verification before the service or prize could be redeemed.
- Participating Locations: Many offers were valid only at participating locations. Consumers were consistently advised to call ahead to confirm that a specific location was honoring the promotion.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2016 featured a diverse selection of freebies and discounts for military members, spanning complimentary meals at major restaurant chains, free beverages, haircuts, oil changes, and admission to theme parks and museums. While the majority of offers were valid specifically on November 11, 2016, some extended into the surrounding days or offered redeemable cards for future use. The promotions were a nationwide effort to honor service members, and eligibility typically required verification through a military ID, proof of service, or uniform. As with any promotion, consumers were encouraged to verify details with individual locations prior to visiting.