Military.com has compiled a list of free or reduced goods and services offered to servicemembers, veterans and their families by businesses and organizations in honor of Veterans Day and the month of November, which is Military Family Month.
You should double-check the participation of your chosen location before trying to redeem an offer. Keep in mind that different locations may require different proofs of service. The linked page will be updated as it gets closer to Veterans Day.
Keep in mind that most businesses require proof of military service, which can include a VA Universal Access Card, military ID, DD-214 (discharge papers) or veterans service organization card (VSOs include groups like the VFW, DAV, AmVets, MOAA, FRA, and The American Legion); in some cases businesses will accept a picture of the veteran in uniform.
2014 Veterans Day Restaurant Offerings:
54th Street Grill -- Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal (up to $12) on Tuesday, November 11.
Applebee’s -- Veterans and active-duty military receive a free meal from a limited menu on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.
Bob Evans -- Veterans and active military personnel receive free all-you-can-eat hotcakes on Tuesday, November 11.
*NEW* California Pizza Kitchen – Veterans and active military receive a complimentary entrée from a special menu on Tuesday, November 11.
Carrabba’s – All active and retired veterans get a free appetizer November 8-11.
*NEW* Cattlemens – Active, inactive and retired military personnel get a free Small Sirloin Steak Dinner on Tuesday, November 11.
CentraArchy Restaurants – Veterans and active-duty servicemembers get a free entrée and 25% off to their accompanied family and friends on Tuesday, November 11, at participating restaurants.
Cheeseburger in Paradise -- Active and retired military personnel receive a complimentary All-American Burger with fries on Tuesday, November 11.
Claim Jumper -- On Monday, November 10, all Claim Jumper locations will provide veterans with a complimentary meal from a special menu.
*NEW* Denny’s -- Active, inactive and retired military personnel get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on Tuesday, November 11, from 5 a.m. to noon at participating locations.
Friendly’s – Friendly’s is treating veterans and active military to a free breakfast, lunch or dinner from a limited menu on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.
Golden Corral -- Golden Corral Restaurants' Military Appreciation Monday free dinner will be available on Monday, November 17, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.
*NEW* Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream -- Veterans and active-duty military get a free single-scoop ice cream cone on Tuesday, November 11, at participating locations.
*NEW* Hooters – Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal up to $10.99 in value with a drink purchase at participating locations on Tuesday, November 11.
JJ’s Red Hots – Veterans and active-duty military get an unlimited free meal on Tuesday, November 11.
Krispy Kreme – Krispy Kreme is offering a free doughnut and small coffee to all veterans on Tuesday, November 11, at participating locations.
Krystal - On November 11, all active and retired military can recieve a free breakfast Sausage Biscuit with a valid military ID, honorable discharge card or by wearing their uniform. The offer is good for both dine-in and drive-thru guests from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at participating restaurants, while supplies last.
LongHorn Steakhouse – Veterans and current servicemembers receive a complimentary Texas Tonion appetizer and non-alcoholic beverage from a select menu on Tuesday, November 11.
*NEW* Max & Erma's – On Tuesday, November 11, participating Max & Erma’s locations are offering veterans and active military personnel a free Best Cheeseburger in America Combo meal.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants -- On Sunday, November 9, participating McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will offer a complimentary entree to veterans from a special menu.
*NEW* Menchi's -- All veterans and active duty will receive a free 6 oz. frozen yogurt on Tuesday, November 11.
*NEW* MOD Pizza -- Veterans and active-duty military get a free individual, artisan-style pizza or hand-tossed salad on Tuesday, November 11.
Olive Garden – On Tuesday, November 11, all veterans and current servicemembers get a free meal from a limited menu.
On the Border -- Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free meal from the “Create Your Own Combo menu” on Tuesday, November 11.
Orange Leaf -- Retired and active-duty military get a free cup of froyo on November 11.
Outback Steakhouse – All active and former servicemembers receive a free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage on November 11. Outback is also offering active and former servicemembers 15% off their meals November 12 through December 31.
*NEW* Pie Five Pizza – Active-duty, reserve and retired servicemembers get a free customized pizza on Tuesday, November 11.
Pinnacle Entertainment -- Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal at select casinos on Tuesday, November 11.
Red Hot & Blue -- Veterans receive a free entrée with the purchase of a second entrée on November 10, 11 and 12. Coupon required.
Red Lobster -- Veterans, retired and active-duty military personnel receive a complimentary appetizer from a limited menu from Monday, November 10 to Thursday, November 13.
Ryan's - On November 11, active duty, reservists and retired military may enjoy a free dine-in lunch at their local Ryan's from open until 3:30 p.m. Show your military ID to enjoy the free meal. Offer is valid only at participating locations.
Shoney's -- Shoney's will be offering a free All-American Burger to veterans and active-duty servicemembers on Tuesday, November 11.
Sizzler -- Sizzler offers active-duty and veteran military members a free lunch from a limited menu on Tuesday, November 11 until 4 p.m.
Spaghetti Warehouse – On Tuesday, November 11, buy one entrée and get the second entrée free. This deal requires a coupon, which is available starting November 4.
Texas Roadhouse -- Texas Roadhouse locations nationwide will offer veterans a free lunch on Tuesday, November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Offer is good for active-duty, retired or former U.S. military.
Tim Hortons Café & Bake Shop – Active-duty military and veterans receive a free donut all day long on Tuesday, November 11.
Travel Centers of America -- On Tuesday, November 11, all CDL drivers who are military veterans eat free at participating full-service restaurants.
*NEW* Tubby's -- Veterans and active-duty military members get a free small Grilled Steak N' Cheese or Tubby's Famous Sub on Tuesday, November 11.
Zoes Kitchen – Active-duty military and veterans get a free entrée, and family members get 10% off, on November 11.
2014 Veterans Day Travel and Recreation Discounts:
Army Corp of Engineers Recreation Areas -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive day use fees for veterans, active and reserve component servicemembers and their families at the USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide on November 11.
Busch Gardens -- Veterans and active-duty military can get 50% off single-day admission tickets through November 11.
Colonial Williamsburg – Active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their direct dependents receive free Colonial Williamsburg admission for Veterans Day weekend (November 7–11).
Harley-Davidson Museum -- The Harley-Davidson Museum is offering free admission to military members and families on November 8, 9 and 11 in honor of Veterans Day.
Jefferson Lines -- Jefferson Lines offers free travel to veterans on Tuesday, November 11.
Kingsmill Resort – Veterans and active-duty military enjoy a 25% discount off regular room rates on stays November 7-13.
Knotts Berry Farm -- Knott's Berry Farm is offering free admission for veterans and active-duty military personnel and one guest from November 2, 2014 to January 4, 2015.
Mariners’ Museum – Active-duty and retired military, veterans and their families receive $5 off admission price Saturday, November 8 to Tuesday, November 11.
Mohegan Sun -- Mohegan Sun offers active and retired military members a special hotel $99.00 room rate available from Monday, November 10 to Thursday, November 13.
Mount Vernon -- All active-duty, former, or retired military personnel are admitted for free on Veterans Day, November 11.
National Parks -- On Veterans Day, November 11, veterans will have access to over 100 national parks that require entrance fees for free.
Professional Association of Innkeeping International -- Inns and B&Bs throughout the country will open their doors to thank veterans for their service on Monday, November 10, and Tuesday, November 11, with free or discounted stays.
Queen Mary -- The Queen Mary offers free admission to active servicemembers, retired military personnel and veterans, and special discounts for their family members, on November 11.
SeaWorld -- Veterans and active-duty military can get 50% off single-day admission tickets through November 11.
Sesame Place -- Veterans and active-duty military can get 50% off single-day admission tickets through November 11.
*NEW* World of Coca-Cola -- Active duty, reserves and retirees get free admission; and November 8-16, members of the Armed Forces may also purchase up to four half-price general admission tickets for their friends and family.
2014 Veterans Day Retailer Offerings:
Grace for Vets -- Car washes from around the world who join this program offer free car washes to veterans and servicemembers on Tuesday, November 11.
Great Clips – On Tuesday, November 11, customers who come in for a service can get a free haircut card to give to their favorite veteran. Veterans can also receive a free haircut or get the free haircut card. Haircuts are redeemable until Dec. 31.
Home Depot -- Home Depot offers a 10% discount to all veterans on Veterans Day, November 11. Home Depot offers the 10% discount year-round for active duty and retirees.
Lowe's -- All veterans receive a 10% discount on Veterans Day, November 11. The offer is available in stores only.
Rack Room Shoes -- Military personnel and their dependents get a 10% discount off their entire purchase on Veterans Day, November 11.
Sleep Number -- From October 14 through November 16, Sleep Number is providing special offers for current and past military personnel. Save $400-$700 on selected Sleep Number mattress sets.
Sport Clips -- Participating locations are offering veterans and active-duty servicemembers free haircuts on Tuesday, November 11.
Steve Madden -- Steve Madden is offering 20% off an entire purchase with a valid military ID on November 11.
Dell (American Legion discount provider) -
Military community members and veterans save an EXTRA 15%* on select Dell PCs and tablets this Veterans Day. Shop: Dell.com/AmericanLegion from November 6-13 to verify and receive your additional 15%-off coupon!
2014 Veterans Day Events:
America's Parade -- Veterans are invited to march in this New York City parade on November 11. The theme for this year’s parade is Land of the Free/Home of the Brave, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Cabela’s -- Cabela's hosts a Hometown Heroes event on Veterans Day, November 11, with an increased discount for military personnel as well as law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel.
Letters from War: A Tribute to Veterans -- On November 7 at 7 p.m., the Washington National Cathedral presents a 75-minute concert tribute featuring the U.S. Marine Corps Orchestra, Washington National Cathedral Choir and selections from American War Letters. This tribute event is free and open to the public with no ticketing required.
National Veterans Day Ceremony -- The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held on November 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. It begins at 11 a.m. with a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors.
Many national and state cemeteries throughout the country may also be holding Veterans Day ceremonies.
National Veterans Day Run -- The National Veterans Day Run on November 11 offers veterans and active-duty military a reduced-rate entry into the race, as well as discounted rates to their spouses and children between 13 and 18.
NFL Salute to Service – To honor Veterans Day, the NFL will donate $100 to each of its nonprofit partners (the Pat Tillman Foundation, USO and Wounded Warrior Project) for every point scored during the 32 Salute to Service games.
Giving Back: The following organizations are making a special effort to recognize Veterans Day by donating a portion of their sales to veterans causes or featuring special programs that give back to veterans during the month of November.
AARP – From October 30 to November 13, get 20% off AARP membership dues, and when a new membership is purchased AARP will use a portion of the dues to help provide RealPad™ computer tablets to veterans to help them stay connected.
*NEW* Cracker Barrel -- From November 1-11, 10% of Cracker Barrel retail sales on specific items will be donated to the USO; and on Veterans Day, 10% of the sales price on all Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake enjoyed in the restaurant will be donated as well. Cracker Barrel will also offer a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake to all dine-in veterans on Veterans Day, November 11.
Heinz – Thank a veteran and Heinz will donate $1 for every Thank You e-card and $.57 for social media share to Wounded Warrior Project — up to $250,000. Plus, your Thank You e-card will be added to their Gallery of Gratitude.
McDonald’s -- For the entire month of November, all 97 locally owned and operated McDonald’s of Hampton Roads restaurants will donate a portion of all sales of Big Mac and Quarter Pounder with Cheese Extra Value Meals to the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VAWWP).
National Veterans Day Run – The National Veterans Day Run takes place on November 11 with races throughout the country, and their National Charity Partner for 2014 is Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude will be on site at each of the races to give care packages to all veterans and active-duty military in attendance. (They also offer a military discount on entry fees.)
Outback Steakhouse -- To celebrate Outback's partnership with Folds of Honor, which helps fund educational scholarships and assistance to family members of military heroes, Outback restaurants in select markets will be hosting Give Back Events on November 4 by donating 15% of each check (up to $5,000 per restaurant) to Folds of Honor.
Make sure to visit the Military.com Discounts Center for more discounts and articles.