Veterans Day is an annual observance in the United States dedicated to honoring military veterans, and in 2019, numerous businesses and organizations across the nation offered a wide array of freebies, discounts, and special promotions. These offers span categories including food, retail, travel, and recreation, providing tangible benefits to active-duty service members, veterans, retirees, and their families. This guide compiles the verified offers available for Veterans Day 2019, detailing the types of benefits, eligibility requirements, and specific terms of participation. It is important to note that many offers require proof of military service, and participation may vary by location, especially for franchise establishments.
The primary categories of Veterans Day 2019 offers included free meals at restaurants, retail discounts, travel and recreation benefits, and free admission to federal lands. A common requirement across most offers was proof of military status, which could include a Veterans Administration Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD-214 discharge papers, or a Veterans Service Organization card from groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, or the American Legion. Some businesses also accepted a picture of the veteran in uniform. To ensure availability, consumers were strongly advised to contact their local establishments in advance, as not all franchise locations participated in national chain programs, and some offers were valid only on specific dates, such as November 11, 2019, or during surrounding days.
Veterans Day 2019 Free Meals and Restaurant Offers
A significant portion of Veterans Day 2019 promotions centered on complimentary meals for service members. Many national restaurant chains offered free entrees or meals from a special menu, typically for dine-in customers on November 11. It was generally understood that beverages and gratuity were not included unless specified.
- 151 Coffee: Invited military personnel to bring their family for free drinks on November 11.
- 54th Street Grill: Provided veterans and active-duty military with a free entree up to a value of $12 on November 11.
- Ahipoki: Offered veterans and active-duty military 50% off any bowl at all locations across Arizona and California on November 11.
- Another Broken Egg Cafe: Veterans and active-duty service members could enjoy a free Patriot French Toast Combo and coffee on November 11.
- Applebee’s: Veterans and active-duty military received a free meal from a special menu on November 11. While most locations were expected to participate, it was recommended to call the local franchise to confirm.
- Aspen Creek Grill: Provided veterans and active-duty military with a complimentary meal from a special menu from 11 a.m. on November 11.
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: All military members who dined in at any restaurant location nationwide received a complimentary entree up to $14.95 plus a free Dr Pepper beverage.
- Yard House: Veterans and active-duty military received a complimentary appetizer on November 11, with a beverage purchase required.
Veterans Day 2019 Retail and Store Discounts
Retail offers for Veterans Day 2019 included percentage discounts on purchases, special promotions on services, and exclusive memberships. These discounts often extended for a period around November 11, providing a wider window for savings.
- Academy Sports + Outdoors: Veterans, active-duty service members, and their immediate family members received a 10% discount on their entire purchase in-store and online from October 27 through November 11.
- Amazon: From November 6 through 11, active-duty, veterans, National Guard, and Reserve personnel could sign up for a year of Amazon Prime membership for $79, representing a $40 savings. The promotion was available to both new and existing Prime members.
- American Family Care: Provided a free flu shot for military veterans on November 11.
- Brides Across America: Held a wedding gown giveaway for military brides in partnership with bridal salons across the country in November. Qualifying brides were required to register for the event at a participating salon by completing a registration form and paying a $40 fee, then attending the event to select one of the designated gowns on display.
- Verizon: Offered a 1-year membership of Amazon Prime to active-duty military members, Reservists, cadets, Gold Star families, and veterans when they added a new line of service. This offer was valid from October 24 to December 2 and was in addition to year-round discounts on plans and accessories.
- Walgreens: Provided a 20% discount on eligible regular-priced items for veterans, military personnel, and their families from November 8 through 11 in-store, requiring a Walgreens Balance Rewards card and proof of service.
Veterans Day 2019 Travel, Recreation, and Free Admission Offers
Travel and recreation benefits in 2019 included free admission to museums, aquariums, and federal lands, as well as unique lodging opportunities. These offers were designed to provide veterans and their families with access to cultural, historical, and natural resources.
- National Parks, Forests, and Federal Lands: On Veterans Day, November 11, 2019, national parks, national forests, and other federal lands that charge entry fees offered free admission to everyone, regardless of veteran status. This included sites overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers, and wildlife refuges run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Specific examples of free sites included Mt. Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Areas: Day use fees were waived at recreation areas nationwide on November 11.
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum: Veterans received free museum admission, and half-price tickets were available for up to two family members from November 8 to 14.
- Aquarium of the Pacific: Veterans and military personnel received free admission on November 11.
- B&Bs for Vets: Participating innkeepers in the 2019 B&Bs for Vets program offered a minimum of one room for one night, totally free, to veterans.
Veterans Day 2019 Freebies and Deals for Families
Several offers extended benefits to the families of veterans and active-duty personnel, providing discounts or free items for spouses and children. These promotions acknowledged the service and sacrifice of military families.
- Academy Sports + Outdoors: The 10% discount was explicitly available to immediate family members of veterans and active-duty service members.
- B&Bs for Vets: The free room night was intended to honor veterans, but the experience could be shared with family.
- 151 Coffee: The free drink offer encouraged military personnel to bring their family for free drinks on November 11.
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum: The half-price discount for family members allowed veterans to share the experience with up to two relatives.
Important Considerations for Redeeming Veterans Day 2019 Offers
To successfully redeem Veterans Day 2019 offers, consumers needed to be aware of several key requirements and recommendations. First, proof of military service was a near-universal requirement. The acceptable forms of identification varied but typically included official documents like a Veterans Administration card, Military I.D., or DD-214 papers. Some businesses accepted a Veterans Service Organization card or a photograph of the individual in uniform, but this was less common and should be confirmed in advance.
Second, participation was often at the discretion of individual franchise locations for national chains. Consumers were strongly encouraged to call their local restaurant or store ahead of time to verify that the specific location was honoring the offer. This was particularly important for restaurants, as popular Veterans Day deals often led to long wait times or full reservations. Planning ahead and verifying participation could prevent disappointment.
Third, the validity period of offers varied. While many deals were exclusively on November 11, 2019, some ran for several days before or after the holiday. For example, the Academy Sports + Outdoors discount spanned from October 27 to November 11, and the Walgreens discount was available from November 8 to 11. Consumers should carefully check the start and end dates for each offer.
Finally, it is crucial to understand that all information regarding Veterans Day 2019 deals is historical. The offers, dates, and terms described were specific to 2019 and are no longer in effect. This guide serves as a reference for understanding the types of promotions typically offered during Veterans Day observances, but consumers should not expect the same offers to be available in subsequent years without verification from official sources.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2019 presented a diverse collection of freebies and discounts across multiple categories, from free restaurant meals and retail savings to free admission to national parks and museums. These offers served as a nationwide gesture of appreciation for military service members, veterans, and their families. The key to accessing these benefits was understanding the specific requirements, which most commonly included proof of military service and direct confirmation of participation at local establishments. While the 2019 offers have expired, the annual tradition of Veterans Day promotions continues, and consumers interested in future benefits should monitor official brand announcements and dedicated Veterans Day deal resources each year.