Veterans Day is this Friday, November 11, and many businesses are offering freebies, discounts and deals for veterans and active duty service members in honor of the many brave sacrifices they've made for this country.
Remember, in order to receive these offers you may need to provide proof of military service. This can be done in the following ways:
- Wear your uniform
- Bring a picture of yourself in uniform
- Present a US Uniform Services ID card
- Present a current Leave and Earnings Statement
- Present a Veterans Organization Card (American Legion or VFW)
- Present discharge paperwork
Many establishments won't be very strict on this, but it's always best to be prepared. It's also a good idea to call ahead before redeeming a free meal or discount on Veterans Day.
Food & Beverage Freebies
Applebee’s -- Free special menu for veterans and active duty service members (including things like chicken penne, burgers and double crunch shrimp). Valid 11/11.
Bar Louie -- Free app or entree (up to $12) on 11/10 and 11/11 for veterans and active military.
Bob Evans -- Free breakfast all day on 11/11 for veterans and active duty military members.
Boston Market -- All retired and active duty service members get a free brownie or cookie with any purchase on 11/11.
California Pizza Kitchen -- Vets and active duty military get to choose a free meal from a special Veteran's Day menu. Valid on 11/11.
Carraba’s -- Free app for vets and active duty military from 11/7 to 11/13.
Cheeseburger in Paradise -- Vets and active duty military members get a free All American Burger and fries on 11/11.
Chevy's Fresh Mex -- Vets and active duty military get a free choice from a special menu from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m on 11/11.
Chick-fil-A -- Active or retired military and their families can receive either a Chicken Sandwich meal, a Nugget Meal, or a Kid's Nugget Meal for free on 11/11.
Chili’s Restaurant -- Free lunch combo or choice of a dinner meal from a special menu for retired and active duty military members on 11/11.
Chipotle -- Vets, active military members and their spouses can buy one, get one free on any burrito, bowl or salad on 11/11.
Chuck E. Cheese -- Free personal pizza for active duty and retired military members on 11/11.
Claim Jumper — Complimentary meal for veterans on 11/14.
City Barbeque -- Active duty military and vets can get a free sandwich platter on 11/11.
Country Cookin -- Free meal for veterans on 11/15.
Cracker Barrel -- Free Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake dessert for veterans during lunch and dinner on 11/11.
Denny’s -- Vets and active duty military get a free Build-Your-Own Grand Slam Meal. from 5 a.m. to noon on 11/11.
Famous Dave’s — Vets get a free meal at participating locations on 11/11 between 11a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Fofo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse -- Half-off meals for vets and active duty military members with ID, and 10 percent off for their guests on 11/11.
Friendly’s -- Veterans and active military can get a free Big-Two-Do combo for breakfast or a free All American Burger with fries and a drink for lunch and dinner on 11/11 at participating locations.
Golden Corral -- Free "thank you" dinner for anyone who has served in the U.S. Military on 11/14.
Green Mill -- Free menu item for lunch or dinner for veterans and active duty military on 11/11.
Hooters -- Vets and active duty military can pick a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu.
IHOP-- Free red, white and blue pancakes to veterans and active duty military on 11/11. Valid form 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
IKEA Restaurant -- Free entree for vets 11/8-11/11/
Krispy Kreme — Vets and active duty military get a free small coffee and donut at participating locations on 11/11.
Little Caesars -- Free Hot-N-Ready lunch combo for veterans on 11/11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LongHorn Steakhouse -- Active and retired military members get a free appetizer or desert plus 10 percent off their entire table's meal on 11/11.
On the Border -- Free Create-Your-Own Combo for all vets and active military members on 11/11. See link for participating locations.
Olive Garden -- Free meal for veterans and active duty military from a special menu on 11/11., and family members get 10 percent off their meals.
Outback Steakhouse — Free Bloomin’ Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage for all active duty military and vets, and 15 percent off purchases from 11/12 to 12/31.
Peet's Coffee & Tea -- Free small coffee for active duty and retired military on 11/11.
Perkins -- Free Magnificent 7 Breakfast for vets on 11/11.
Red Lobster -- Free app or dessert for vets and active duty military between 11/10 and 11/11 at participating locations.
Red Robin -- Free Red's Tavern Double Burger with bottomless steak fries for all vets and active duty service members on 11/11.
Ruby Tuesday’s — Free appetizer for vets on 11/11.
Sheetz -- Free 6-inch turkey sub, regular fountain drink AND a complimentary carwash for vets and active duty militancy on 11/11.
Shoney’s -- Free All American Burger for Veteran's Day for all active duty or retired military members.
Sizzler -- Free lunch (from a limited menu) and a beverage for vets on 11/11 until 4 p.m.
Spaghetti Warehouse -- BOGO entrees for EVERYONE (not just veterans) 11/11 to 11/13 when you present this coupon.
TGI Fridays -- Free lunch for vets and active duty military from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 11/11.
Texas Roadhouse -- Free lunch for vets on 11/11 from a special menu.
UNO’s Pizza — Vets and active duty service members get a free individual pizza or entrée with the purchase of a pizza or entrée of equal or greater value on 11/11.
White Castle -- Vets and active duty military members get a free breakfast or Castle Combo meal on 11/11.
Wienerschnitzel -- Vets and active duty military get a free small Pepsi and a chili dog on 11/11.
World of Beer -- Vets and active duty military can take their pick of a free draft beer on 11/11.
Retail Freebies
Home Depot -- 10 percent discount for active duty, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families get a 10 percent discount off purchases up to $2,000.
La-Z-Boy -- Active and retired military personnel can take an additional 5 percent off from now until 11/11.
Lowe’s -- 10 percent discount for active duty, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families get a 10 percent discount off purchases up to $5,000.
Rack Room Shoes -- Vets and military personnel get a 10 percent discount on 11/11.
Beauty & Grooming Freebies
Great Clips -- Vets and active duty service members can get a free haircut on 11/11, and friends of vets can get a free haircut card for the vets in their life, redeemable until 12/31.
Sport Clips -- Free haircuts for vets and active duty service members on 11/11 at participating locations.
Entertainment Freebies
Knotts Berry Farm -- Veterans and active military plus one guest get free admission and up to six additional discounted tickets between 11/1 to 12/16.
Legoland -- Vets, active duty military and their families get between a 25 and 37 percent discount and second day free admission through 12/31.
National Parks -- ALL of the country's national parks are free for anyone to enter on 11/11.
SeaWorld San Diego -- Free single day admission ticket for vets and up to three family members to SeaWorld San Diego through 12/31. You must get these tickets online, so follow this link.
USS Midway — Free admission to veterans and their families 11/11, featuring food, live entertainment, KidzZone activities, prizes and more.
This piece originally appeared in Brad's Deals