Veterans Day 2019 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, featured a range of complimentary offers for military personnel and veterans, primarily centered on free meals and beverages. The available promotions were concentrated in the food and beverage sector, with a notable absence of offers in categories such as beauty, baby care, pet products, health, or household goods. The information, sourced from local news reports and official event listings, details specific restaurants and businesses participating in Veterans Day appreciation events, along with eligibility requirements and redemption processes.
The primary source of information for these offers is a local news article from WBOY, which lists restaurants in North Central West Virginia, including Clarksburg. Additional context is provided by a Veterans Affairs (VA) press release and a local event page for Freedom Day USA. The offers described are generally valid on November 11, 2019, and require proof of military service or veteran status. Most offers are for dine-in service only, with some exceptions for takeout. It is important to note that while the VA source lists national chains, the WBOY article specifies which of these have a location in the Clarksburg area.
Restaurant and Food Offers
A variety of restaurants offered free meals to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day 2019. The offers typically required proof of service, such as a military ID, and were valid for dine-in only at participating locations.
National Chains with Clarksburg Locations
Applebee’s Active-duty military, veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and their spouses were eligible for a free meal from a special menu on November 11. The offer was valid for dine-in only. According to Military.com, military guests also received a $5 Bounce Back Card for future purchases. This offer is listed in both the WBOY article and the VA press release.
Chili’s Grill & Bar All veterans and active-duty military personnel could receive a free meal from a select menu on November 11. The VA press release advises calling ahead to the local Chili’s restaurant for details. The WBOY article confirms the offer for veterans and active-duty military personnel dining at Chili’s on November 11.
Bob Evans Veterans and active-duty military personnel dining at Bob Evans on November 11 were eligible for a complimentary meal from a select menu. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Sheetz Sheetz offered half a turkey sub and a regular fountain drink free to veterans and military members on November 11. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Primanti Bros. Veterans could get a free sandwich on November 11. The offer was available both in-store and for online orders. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Red Lobster On November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., veterans, active-duty military personnel, and reservists could receive Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Fries, and Coleslaw for free. This offer was available for takeout, but the order had to be placed at the restaurant. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Ruby Tuesday Veterans could get a free sandwich and fries or tots with proof of service on November 11. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Shoney’s Veterans who ate breakfast at Shoney’s from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on November 11 were eligible for a free meal. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Pilot Flying J Some Pilot Flying J locations offered a free meal to veterans on November 11 through the Pilot Flying J app. This information is cited from Military.com in the WBOY article.
7-Eleven Veterans could get a Quarter-Pound Big Bite 100% All-Beef Hot Dog for free on November 11. The offer was available in-store or in the 7NOW app. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Chipotle Several meals were free on November 11 for all military, veterans, and spouses with ID, including burritos, bowls, salads, and taco orders. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Charley’s Philly Steaks Veterans and active-duty military personnel received free gourmet fries in-store on November 11, with no purchase necessary. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Panera Bread A local Panera (specifically the Clarksburg location on Emily Drive) offered all veterans and active-duty military personnel a free pastry or baked goods and a cup of coffee. This offer required in-store redemption, was valid once per veteran, and excluded certain baked goods. This offer is listed in the WBOY article.
Additional National Offers (Per VA Press Release)
The VA press release lists several national chains not specifically mentioned in the WBOY article as having Clarksburg locations. However, these offers were available nationally in 2019 and are included for comprehensiveness.
Golden Corral Military veterans, retirees, and active-duty members were offered a free sit-in “thank you” dinner on Monday, November 11, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Red Robin Veterans and active-duty military personnel were offered a free dine-in Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Veterans Day, November 11, 2019.
Mission BBQ Veterans and active-duty members received a free sandwich and slice of cake (while supplies lasted) on Veterans Day, November 11, 2019.
O’Charley’s Restaurant Veterans of the armed forces and/or officers still serving could enjoy a free meal, with several menu choices.
Grub Burger Veterans and active military members could get a free meal at a Grub Burger Bar location on Saturday, November 11, for Veterans Day.
IHOP All active-duty and retired veterans were invited to enjoy a free breakfast on November 11.
Subway Military veterans with a valid ID were offered a free six-inch sub on November 11 at select locations.
Outback Veterans with a military ID could get a free Bloomin’ Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on November 11, and 20 percent off their check from November 12 to December 31.
BJs Restaurant Brewhouse Military and veterans with a valid ID were offered a free entree up to $14.95 and a free Dr. Pepper beverage on November 11.
Bandanas BBQ Restaurant Veterans and active-duty military were offered a free meal on November 11.
Manhattan Bagel Company All active, former, and retired military personnel with valid identification were invited to enjoy a free bagel and cream cheese at participating locations on Veterans Day, with no additional purchase required.
Houlihan’s All military members—both active-duty and veterans—received a free and complimentary meal on Veterans Day.
54th Street Grill and Bar Veterans and active-duty military personnel who dined inside received a free entrée up to $12 on Veteran’s Day.
Baker’s Square All veterans and active-duty service members received a free meal on Veteran’s Day.
TGI Fridays Veterans and active-duty military personnel were offered a free lunch menu item from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These guests also received a $5 coupon for their next meal.
Other Veterans Day Offers
Beyond restaurants, the VA press release lists several other types of Veterans Day freebies and discounts available in 2019.
Car Washes Grace for Vets, a non-profit organization, offered free car washes on November 11, 2019, through over 1,500 independent car washes in four countries.
Airport Dining On November 11, U.S. active-duty military and military veterans with ID could enjoy a complimentary Pimento Cheeseburger while dining in at more than 70 participating HMSHost airport restaurants.
Museums The KGB Espionage Museum offered veterans a discounted ticket price of $13 (down from the usual $22 for adults and $17 for seniors) on November 11.
Theme Parks Some theme parks offered free admission to veterans and active-duty military personnel, requiring proof of service at the park to receive a complimentary ticket. The offer also included discounts for up to four companions.
Freedom Day USA in Clarksburg
A specific local event in Clarksburg was Freedom Day USA, held on October 6, 2025. This event featured a business, Stonewall Coffee, offering free coffee for Freedom Day USA guests with a military ID or proof of service. The offer was valid at the Stonewall Coffee location at 218 Court Street, Clarksburg, WV, on October 6, 2025. This event is separate from Veterans Day but is included as it represents a freebie offer for military personnel in Clarksburg.
Eligibility and Redemption
The eligibility for most Veterans Day offers required proof of military service. This could include a military ID, veteran ID card, or other official documentation. For some offers, like the free meal at Applebee’s, the offer extended to active-duty military, veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and sometimes military spouses.
Redemption processes varied. Most restaurant offers were dine-in only and required ordering from a special menu. Some offers, like the one at Red Lobster, were available for takeout but had to be placed at the restaurant. Others, like the free hot dog from 7-Eleven, could be redeemed through a mobile app. The free coffee from Stonewall Coffee for Freedom Day USA required showing a military ID or proof of service at the location.
It is important for consumers to verify details directly with the participating business, as offers can change and not all locations may participate. The VA press release includes a disclaimer stating that the sharing of non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement and advises verifying information with the organization offering the discount.
Conclusion
In 2019, Clarksburg, West Virginia, offered a variety of Veterans Day freebies, primarily focused on complimentary meals from national restaurant chains with local locations. The offers were available to veterans and active-duty military personnel, typically requiring proof of service and valid for dine-in on November 11. While the available source material is specific to 2019 and limited to food and beverage offers, it provides a clear example of how local businesses and national chains participate in Veterans Day appreciation. For consumers seeking current offers, it is essential to consult official business websites and local news sources for the most up-to-date information.