Veterans Day 2018 in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area featured a wide array of free meals, discounts, and special services offered by local businesses to honor military veterans and active-duty service members. The offers, compiled from local news sources and community announcements, spanned categories such as food and beverage, personal care services, entertainment, and retail. Many promotions required proof of military service, such as a U.S. Uniformed Services ID, DD214, or wearing a uniform. The following article details the verified offers available in the Green Bay and Brown County region for Veterans Day 2018.
Food and Beverage Offers
Numerous restaurants and food service establishments provided complimentary meals or significant discounts for veterans and active military personnel. These offers were primarily valid on Veterans Day, November 11, 2018, though some extended into the surrounding days.
- Applebee’s: For the 18th consecutive year, Applebee’s offered veterans and active-duty military a special Veterans Day meal from a selection of entrees. The offer was valid for dine-in only, with beverage and gratuity not included. Proof of military service was required, which could include a U.S. Uniformed Services ID or Retired ID card, a current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), a veterans organization card (e.g., American Legion, VFW), a DD214 and citation or commendation, or wearing a uniform or a photo of oneself in uniform.
- Hy-Vee: Many Hy-Vee stores offered a free breakfast buffet to all veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day. Many stores also offered planned programs, entertainment, or other activities to complement the breakfast event.
- Pizza Ranch: Participating locations, including Green Bay, Appleton, Appleton West, Ashwaubenon, Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Oostburg, Sheboygan, and Waupun, provided a free buffet for veterans and current military personnel on Veterans Day. Additionally, for every gift card purchased through December, a portion of the proceeds was donated to a local veterans' organization.
- Pearly Gates Bar: This establishment offered a free lunch for all veterans and active military on Saturday, November 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The menu included burgers, hot dogs, booyah, tap beer, soda, and more.
- Red Lobster: Veterans, active-duty military, and reservists received a free appetizer or dessert from a limited menu on November 11.
- Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty military received a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11.
- Texas Roadhouse: On Sunday, veterans could select from a free special veterans lunch menu including a beverage and sides.
- Famous Dave’s: On November 11 and November 12, in honor of Veterans Day, all former and current military personnel received a free two-meat combo.
- Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: Veterans with military ID or in uniform received 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entree on Veterans Day (November 11).
- The Chop House & Connors Steak & Seafood: Both restaurants offered veterans with military ID or in uniform 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entree on Sunday, November 11, and Monday, November 12.
- Shane’s Rib Shack: Military personnel and veterans received a complimentary sandwich, regular side, and 20-oz beverage at participating locations. The offer was valid November 8 through November 10.
- Huddle House: Active military members and veterans received a free order of Sweet Cakes with proper I.D. from November 9 through November 12.
- Eat’n Park: All active and former United States military personnel received a special 10% discount for the entire month of November.
- Pick ‘n Save: Veterans could receive a 10% discount on food and household purchases at all Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market stores. A Pick ‘n Save rewards card and military ID or proof of service were required at checkout. Some exclusions applied.
- Seroogy’s: Veterans received a choice of a Seroogy’s candy bar on November 11 and 12 at locations in De Pere and Ashwaubenon.
- Titletown Brewing: Veterans received one free Titletown beer or a Sno-Cap root beer on November 10.
- Replay Sports Bar & Grill: Veterans received a free meal off of a limited menu with a free soda.
Personal Care and Beauty Services
Several salons and service providers offered complimentary haircuts or discounts on services for veterans.
- Great Clips: Veterans and active service members could visit any Great Clips salon to receive a free haircut or a free haircut card for a future visit. Non-military customers getting a haircut on Veterans Day could also receive a free haircut card to give to an active service member or veteran.
- The Barbershop: Hosting its 4th annual veterans event at the Darboy location (W3192 County Hwy KK), The Barbershop offered free haircuts and services to men and women who served in the armed forces.
- Newstyle Salons: Green Bay and Appleton salons offered free haircuts to veterans. Walk-ins or calls ahead for booking were accepted, subject to stylist availability. Locations included Appleton (3825 E. Calumet St. #700), Greenville (1021 Mutual Way), Bellevue (2015 Lime Kiln Rd.), De Pere (1601 Lawrence Dr.), Green Bay (2276 W. Mason St.), and Suamico (2300 Lineville Rd.).
- Empire Beauty School: Offered free haircut services to veterans.
- Sport Clips Haircuts: Locations at 1976 Lime Kiln Road, 2665 S. Oneida St., and 2365 W. Mason St. offered free haircuts on Veterans Day.
- Beauty/Barber/Hair/Skin Discounts: Other area businesses offered percentage discounts on services, including Classic Dimensions LLC (20% off any service), Cyndi’s Rejuvenation (10% discount on services), Mint Salon (15% off all services), Selah Therapeutic Wellness/Massage Therapy (30% off any full price service), and Shear Sports ($3 off haircut).
Retail, Entertainment, and Miscellaneous Offers
Additional offers included discounts on retail purchases, free admission to attractions, and special events.
- Heritage Hill State Historical Park: Veterans received free admission all day for the “Second Saturdays” presentation “Celebrating Veterans” on Saturday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event featured learning about soldiers' lives in the 1830s, writing letters to modern-day service members, participating in a march and drill, and touring with a Fort Howard expert.
- HME Home Medical: Offered 20% off all cash & carry items in the month of November to thank veterans.
- Hotel Northland: Offered a free entree at either the Walnut Room for breakfast or Poke the Bear for lunch or dinner.
- HuHot: All veterans and active-duty military received 20% off at HuHot locations, including Appleton, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Wausau, and West Allis. Proof of service was required.
- PDQ: All eight PDQ Car Wash locations offered a FREE Elite exterior car wash on November 11, as well as a 50% off coupon for another Elite Wash on the next visit.
- Brown County Rifle Range: Free admission for veterans to the Reforestation Camp Rifle Range, normally $7 per gun/bow or shooter. Free gun and archery sighting for veterans and active-duty military members was available from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Targets and hearing protection were provided.
- Pancake and Porky Breakfast (Nov. 8): Hosted by the Green Bay Gamblers and Resch Center Complex at Shopko Hall, free for all veterans and active military.
- Veterans Day free lunch at Pearly Gates (Nov. 10): Included burgers, brats, hot dogs, booyah, tap beer, and soda.
- Duck Creek VFW Post 7534 Veterans Day breakfast (Nov. 11): Held at 8 a.m. in Howard.
- Vietnam veterans all day vigil (Nov. 11): Sunrise to sunset at the veterans memorial south of the Neville Public Museum, Green Bay.
- United Patriotic Society's Veterans Day Tribute to World War II veterans (Nov. 12): Held at Shopko Hall, Ashwaubenon, with a reception and program.
- The Chancellor’s Veteran Reception (Nov. 12): Held at 4 p.m. in the Phoenix Rooms in UW-Green Bay’s University Union, with U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher as the guest speaker.
- Veterans Day ceremony (Nov. 12): Held at Oconto Falls High School, with a reception at 8:40 a.m. and ceremony at 9 a.m.
- Veterans Spaghetti Dinner (Nov. 12): Hosted by Vets 4 Vets of NE Wisconsin from 3-7 p.m. at the Red Maple Country Club banquet hall in Suring.
Conclusion
The Green Bay and Brown County area for Veterans Day 2018 presented a comprehensive schedule of freebies and discounts designed to honor military service. The offers were diverse, covering essential needs like food and personal care, as well as recreational and educational activities. Veterans were required to provide proof of service for most offers, and many were limited to specific dates, primarily November 11, 2018. The community's collective effort to acknowledge veterans' contributions was evident through the wide range of participating businesses and organizations.