Military personnel and families get Veterans Day freebies and discounts

Veterans Day is Wednesday when all Americans remember those who have served our country, and many want to give back by offering military personnel and their families freebies and discounts.

RETAILERS

• Lowe's Home Improvement Stores is offering a 10 percent discount on purchases up to $5,000 with a valid ID and proof of service. Offer lasts through Nov. 15.
• Home Depot is offering a 10% discount to military personnel through Nov. 11. The discount can be used on purchases of up to $2,000, for a maximum discount of $200. Customers must present a military ID card or other proof of service. 
• Stein Mart is offering 10-percent off purchases for shoppers with a valid military ID on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Sports Authority is offering 15 percent off purchases on Wednesday with a valid military ID, although some exclusions regarding merchandise apply.
• Dollar General is honoring men and women who have served our country in the military with a special discount on Veterans Day. On Nov. 11, all veterans, active duty military, National Guard and Reserve, and their immediate families will receive a 10 percent discount at Dollar General with a Veterans Day coupon found in the Nov. 1 Dollar General advertising circular in stores or by asking a Dollar General sales associate for the coupon.
• Hy-Vee Stores throughout the Midwest will honor America’s veterans on Veterans Day with a free breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., in appreciation of their service to the country. The buffet is complimentary for veterans and open to others at a small cost. Some stores have planned programs, displays, entertainment or other activities to go along with the breakfast; check with local stores for details.
• 24-Hour Fitness is offering free workouts through November 11 for all veterans. 24-Hour Fitness asks for military ID. Contact your location for details.
• Sport Clips is supporting VFW Operation Uplink™, a VFW program that provides free phone time to America’s service members and hospitalized veterans, with "The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year" on Nov. 11. Sport Clips will donate a dollar for every haircut given in their 660+ stores. Show your support for troops and veterans by getting your next haircut at Sport Clips.
• USAA is providing the VFW's Veterans Day Operation Uplink Free Call Day on Nov. 11. Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait can call the U.S for free for a full 24 hours courtesy of USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies serving members of the U.S. military and their families. Free Call Days are available at more than 800 MWR internet cafes using SPAWAR located on military installations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Take advantage and call your loved ones! Soldiers, to place a call, use regular dialing procedures using your SPAWAR prepaid PIN, if you do not have a PIN number, get one from the cafe manager. You will hear the sponsor announcement informing you that your call is FREE! Check the full schedule of Free Call Days.
• Build-A-Bear Workshop offers all Military ID holders to receive a 20% discount on any Build-A-Bear Workshop stores November 11 through 15.
• Sam’s Club® nationwide will be giving away 25,000 Hugo® canes free of charge to United States Military Veterans in need of mobility assistance. "We salute our veterans for all the incredible contributions made to our country. To all who have served... Thank You!" Limited quantities per club, available only while supplies last. Sam’s Club® Membership is not required. Proof of military service may be required.

RESTAURANTS

• Applebee's is doing something great for current and former military personnel on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. According to it's Website and Facebook page, military veterans are invited to eat free Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to midnight. Bring in proof of military service, U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), photograph in uniform, wearing uniform, and you'll get a free entree.
• Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin Onion and beverage on Veteran's Day. Outback is offering a free bloomin onion appetizer and beverage to veteran's and military personnel on Veteran's Day. Don't forget your proof of military service. You can also get a free bloomin onion if you become a fan of Outback on Facebook here. Click on the Bloomin Onion tab.
• Golden Corral is offering free buffet meals — including beverage and dessert — to all military and vets on Monday, Nov. 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. No military ID is required for its annual Military Appreciation Monday.
• Burger King, in some states are raising money for VFW Unmet Needs through November 30. More than 800 Burger King restaurants are participating in the “buy a burger; donate a buck” fundraiser in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin.
• Krispy Kreme nationwide is offering a free doughnut on Veteran's Day. On Nov. 11 Krispy Kremes across the nation will give each military soldier active, discharged or retired a free doughnut.
• McCormick and Schmick's in 25 states are offering free entrees to veterans on Sunday. The chain also requests military ID and highly recommends reservations. The promotion is on Sunday instead of Veterans Day, "because it allows vets to bring their families who might not be available during the week.
• UNO Chicago Grill invites all members of the military, both veterans and active duty, to enjoy a free entree or individual pizza with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value on November 11.
• Arby's wants to honor veterans on Veteran's Day. Bring in your military ID to receive a free Regular Roast Beef Sandwich.

ATTRACTIONS

• National Park Service is offering free admission to all national parks for everyone on Wednesday. All National Park Service sites across the country, including Zion National Park, will offer free visitor admission in honor of U.S. veterans, active members of the U.S. armed forces and their families on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
• Knott's Berry Farm pays tribute to past and present U.S. Armed Forces personnel during Veteran's Month with free park admission for them and a guest  through Nov. 26. Up to six additional tickets can be purchased for only $15 each. Military ID or DD214 presented with a photo ID required for discount.
• "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offers active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney's U.S. theme parks, great rates at select Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort hotels, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends through Dec. 23.
• Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks - free park admission for military personnel. The Clippers will host a Military Appreciation Night on Friday, November 13th at 7:30 pm. Service Men and Women and their families will be honored and all military personnel in attendance will receive a commemorative T-shirt.
• The Strategic Air and Space Museum celebrates ‘Veterans Day’ with a special ceremony in the Atrium. The annual ceremony is attended by veterans and family members, as the Museum pays respect to all those who have served the military in any branch of service. All veterans are granted free admission to the museum with proper ID a 10:30 a.m. on November 14 in honor of Veterans Day.
• Historic Tours of America is proud to offer complimentary admission to some of our tours and attractions on November 11 to all Military Veterans, whether active duty, retired or honorably discharged. This offer is extended only on Veterans Day to the service person. Offer not valid for spouses or dependants. Veterans must show current ID card for active duty or retired or a DD214 (proof of release from the military) at any of our Historic Tours of America booths. Offer is not good at third party vendor locations. Additional restrictions may apply.
• Colonial Williamsburg honors the sacrifices and dedication of U.S. veterans, active duty military personnel, guard and reservists, and their dependents. Colonial Williamsburg offers special free admission passes to active duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents through Nov. 11. The Honoring Service to America pass includes admission to Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area and museums. The service member doesn't need to be present for free passes to be provided to immediate family members of currently deployed troops with appropriate identification. Military veterans who separated before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge paperwork, DD Form 214, as identification of service. These tickets are available only at Colonial Williamsburg on-site ticket sales windows. Colonial Williamsburg also offers special rates to military personnel and their families at any of its on-site hotels.
• New Zoo of Brown County in Greenbay, Wisconsin - Veterans Day is a day set aside to honor all those who served honorably in the military in wartime or peacetime. It’s also an opportunity for the New Zoo to say “thank you” to veterans for their very important service to our country. Therefore, all veterans and their families are invited to the New Zoo on Wednesday, November 11 to celebrate this very special day - admission free. Visitor Center will also offer our veteran visitors free coffee and cookies throughout the day while supplies last.