Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Each year businesses honor veterans and service members by offering Veterans Day discounts on goods, services, and dining.

The US Department of the Interior tweeted on Friday: Did you know this is a fee free weekend on all public lands in honor of Veterans Day?

While this is a fee free weekend on public lands applies to the general public as well as veterans, most businesses require some proof of military service, this includes a VA Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD--14 (Discharge Papers), Veterans Service Organization Card (VSO's include groups like the VFW, DAV, AmVets, MOAA, FRA, and the American Legion), or in some cases a picture of the veteran in uniform.

The following is a list of 2012 Veteran and military discounts, Buy One Get One (BOGO) offerings, and this year's offerings even include some honest to goodness free meals:

Veterans Day Restaurant Offerings:

Applebees – All Veterans and active duty military eat free from a limited menu at Applebee's on Veterans Day (November 11).

Chili's – Veterans and active duty dine for free from a special limited seven-item menu from 11am - 5pm on Veterans Day.

Golden Corral – Golden Corral Restaurants' Military Appreciation Monday free dinner will be available on Monday November 12, from 4 pm to 9 pm. Military retirees, Veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.

Famous Dave's – Free or discounted meals on Veterans Day. Offer varies by location. Click here for list of locations and specific offerings

Hooters – All Veterans and active duty get 10 Free Boneless Wings with the purchase of a drink.

Krispy Kreme – All active-duty, retirees & Veterans get a free doughnut and small coffee on Veterans Day. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants – On Sunday November 13, participating Restaurants offer a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu on a space available basis, online reservations are highly recommended.

Be sure to contact your local McCormick & Schmick's to ensure they are participating.

Outback Steakhouse – The week of November 11th- 12th, Outback will be offering Veterans and service members a Free Bloomin' Onion and Cocoa-Cola product (non-alcoholic) beverage. In addition, Outback is offering all military service members and veterans who present a proper ID or a photo in uniform, will receive a 10% discount off their entire guest check.

Subway Restaurants – For Veteran's Day, Subway will be offering free six inch sub or flatbread to military Veterans. Please call ahead to verify your local Subway franchise is participating.

TGI. Friday's – Veterans and Service members can get a free lunch on Monday Nov. 12. Contact your nearest location for more details on their Veterans Day offer.

Texas Roadhouse – Texas Roadhouse locations nationwide will offer veterans a free lunch on Sunday Nov. 11. Choose from one of 10 free meals, plus sides and a drink. Offer good for ALL veterans, including all active, retired or former US military.

Max and Erma's – On Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11, participating locations are saluting veterans and active military personnel with a free Best Cheeseburger in America Combo.

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse – On Monday, November 11, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse will offer veterans and service members will be able to get a free lunch entree or a one-topping mini or individual pizza.

7-Eleven – Offers will be offering veterans and service members a free small slurpee on Sunday Nov. 11.

Little Caesars Pizza – Little Caesars will honor members - past and present - of the armed forces on Monday Nov. 12, by providing veterans and active military members with a free Crazy Bread with proof of military status or proof of service at participating stores nationwide. Call your local restaurant to verify participation.

Lone Star Steakhouse – Military members and veterans will be offered a free appetizer (does not include the Taste of Texas Sampler) on Monday, Nov. 12. Be sure to call ahead to verify local participation.

Veterans Day Retailer Offerings:

Home Depot – Offers a 10 percent discount to all Veterans during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Home Depot offers the 10 percent discount year round to for active duty and retirees.

Lowe's – All Veterans receive the 10 percent discount on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The offer is available in stores only and is limited to in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000.

Other Freebies:

Veterans Day weekend (November 10-12) Veterans will be invited to visit over 100 National Parks for free. FREE National Parks

Year-Round Veterans Discounts:

Foot Locker – Veterans, Service members (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families with a Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Card receive a 20 percent discount every day of the year. That offer is good both online and at any store location, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports - even on sale items.

Home Depot – Offers a 10 percent discount (up to a $500 maximum) to all active military, reserve, retired or disabled Veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other Veterans qualify for a 10 percent discount during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Military.com/MemberReg

Lowe's – Lowe's offers a year round 10 percent discount offer for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees and disabled Service members and their immediate families. All other Veterans receive the 10 percent discount on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The discount is available on in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000. The offer can't be used on sales at Lowes.com, on previous sales or on sales of services or gift cards. You must present a valid military ID card to receive the discount.

Note: Not all franchise locations participate in their national chain's Veterans Day programs, be sure contact your nearest establishment to be sure they are participating.

posted November 10, 2012 7:20 am edt