36 Veterans Day freebies and deals

Veterans Day 2012 falls on Sunday, November 11. Veterans Day is a day to remember and thank all of the military men and women — past and present — for their service to our country. Many retailers, restaurants and others are giving away free stuff or offering deals, not only to veterans or retired military personnel, but also those on active duty.

In order to qualify for the following 36 Veterans Day 2012 freebies and deals, you must produce a valid military ID — either active or retired — or arrive in uniform. See details for each offer to find out exactly what proof you must procure to enjoy your thank you “gift” on Veterans Day. Not all local establishments participate in all national promotions, so it’s smart to call ahead and check your location before you go. Unless specified otherwise, all deals, listed here in alphabetical order by company. Be sure to check carefully as some offers are for the “official” holiday on Sunday, November 11, while others are for the following day Monday, November 12, this year’s designated “federal” holiday.

1. Anheuser-Busch Amusement Parks: Through the Here’s to the Heroes program, military personnel and up to three family members can enjoy free admission to an Anheuser-Busch amusement park one day a year. If you’d like you could make Veterans Day your day to visit the parks. Participating parks are Sea World, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place.
2. Applebee’s: Veterans and active-duty military are welcome to enjoy a free signature entree from a special Veterans Day menu at participating locations on Sunday, November 11.
3. Bed & Breakfast Inns: B&Bs and inns in both the United States and Canada are offering free stays for the military in honor of Veterans Day — called Remembrance Day in Canada. Rooms are a first-come, first-served basis so there is a chance it may be too late to book. But if not, how great would it be to get a free one-night getaway on November 11? Here is information on participating U.S. B&B Inns. Here is information on participating Canadian B&B Inns.
4. Bennigan’s: Participating Bennigan’s locations are offering discounts Sunday, November 11, for veterans and current service members with a military ID, though the news release does not specific the exact discounts. But, hey, a discount is money saved, right?
5. Big Lots: Big Lots has a special Veterans Day discount on Saturday, November 10. Veterans, active duty, reserve and retired military personnel and their immediate family members will receive 10% off their entire purchase.
6. California Pizza Kitchen: Enjoy a free pizza and a nonalcoholic beverage on the house at California Pizza Kitchen on either Sunday, November 11, or Monday, November 12.
7. Champps Americana: Enjoy a free cheeseburger and fries all day Monday, November 12, at participating Champps Americana restaurants nationwide.
8. Cheeseburger in Paradise: Cheeseburger in Paradise has a free meal for the military on Monday, November 12.
9. Denny’s: Pancake-loving veterans should head over to Denny’s restaurants on Monday, November 12, when Denny’s will be offering free all-you-can-eat pancakes from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
10. Dollar General: Veterans and military get 11% off purchases at Dollar General in honor of Veterans Day, 11/11. This discount is available November 8-11 online and November 11 in stores.
11. Einstein Bros Bagels and Noah’s New York Bagels: Military members and veterans who visit any Einstein Bros. or Noah’s Bagels location nationwide between 5:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, receive a free Signature or Classic Bagel, no purchase necessary.
12. Famous Dave’s: Visit the Famous Dave’s website to find the Veterans Day deal available November 11 where you live as the offers vary by state. Some are offering a free meal with sides; others are offering a discount.
13. Friendly’s: On November 12, Friendly’s restaurants invite active members of the military and military veterans to enjoy a complimentary Big-Two-Do Breakfast and coffee until 11 a.m.
14. Golden Corral: The Golden Corral chain is calling Monday, November 12, Military Appreciation Monday and offering a free dinner from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. to any person who has served in the U.S. military (retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves).
15. Hooters: Round up 10 free wings with a drink purchase when you visit a participating Hooter’s and present a valid military or veteran’s ID on November 11.
16. Krispy Kreme: Participating Krispy Kreme locations will be celebrating Veterans Day by offering veterans a free doughnut and small coffee on Sunday. Some Krispy Kreme locations are giving a free cup of coffee on Sunday only. Others are offering a free cup of coffee and a free doughnut on Monday, November 12. Check to see what your local Krispy Kreme is doing.
17. Little Caesars Pizza: Munch on a free order of cheesy bread at Little Caesars on Sunday, November 11.
18. Lone Star Steakhouse: On Monday, November 12, all veterans and active duty military will receive a free entree from Lone Star Steakhouse.
19. Massage Envy: National spa chain Massage Envy is offering free one-hour massages for the military between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 11 in some of its 800 locations nationwide. I found information about participating spas in Philadelphia, Kansas City and Toledo. If Massage Envy is located near you, I would recommend calling to find out if it is participating.
20. Max & Erma’s: A free Best Cheeseburger in America combo meal is on the freebie menu at Max & Erma’s on November 11. In addition to the cheeseburger, this combo meal includes choice of soup or salad and a freshly baked chococlate chip cookie.
21. McCormick & Schmick’s: The folks at McCormick & Schmick’s are offering a free meal Sunday from a special Veterans Day menu. Reservations are strongly suggested.
22. National Parks Service: On Veterans Day weekend (November 10-12), everyone gets free admission to the National Park Service sites that normally charge admission (some are always free).
23. Olive Garden: Active duty military members and veterans can choose from five free entrees at Olive Garden on Sunday, November 11. They’ll also enjoy unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks.
24. Outback Steakhouse: Veterans Day discounts and deals extend well beyond November 11 at Outback Steakhouse. Get a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola beverage November 11-12, and then enjoy the Military Mates 10% Off Discount November 13-December 31, 2012.
25. On the Border: Grab this flyer from the On the Border Facebook page and bring it with you November 11 so that 15% of the cost of your meal will be donated to a veterans’ organization. Active and retired military members who present the flyer will get a coupon for a free entree (up to $10) that they can use November 12 to 30.
26. Pizzeria Uno: Pizzeria Uno’s Veterans Day deal is actually a BOGO: You can get a free pizza or entree when you buy one at participating locations November 11 and November 12.
27. Red Lobster: Enjoy a free appetizer for Veterans Day at Red Lobster on Sunday, November 11.
28. Red Robin: Red Robin is giving away a free Tavern Double to veterans and active military on Monday, November 12.
29. Red Roof Inn: Save 15% off your stay the entire month of November as part of Red Roof Inn’s Veterans Month promotion.
30. Sizzler: Veterans and active military can get a free lunch on Monday, November 12, at Sizzler restaurants. You can download a PDF for more information and participating locations from the Sizzler website.
31. Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes: Past and present military can receive a free meal Sunday and Monday, November 11 and 12, with the purchase of another regular priced meal at either Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes locations.
32. Spaghetti Warehouse: Spaghetti Warehouse’s Veteran’s Day deal runs November 9-12 and is for anyone in the military who visits the restaurant during that time. It’s a BOGO freebie — buy one, get one free, when you purchase lasagna or spaghetti entree.
33. Sport Clips: Many Sport Clips locations will offer free haircuts to active-duty U.S. service members and veterans on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11.
34. Texas Roadhouse: Lunch is on the house at Texas Roadhouse for veterans on Monday, November 12. Choose from one of 10 entrees, plus certain soft drinks and sweet tea — all for free.
35. T.G.I. Fridays: Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, November 12, lunch is free at participating T.G.I. Fridays for active and retired military.
36. Tim Hortons: Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop locations nationwide will give all active military and U.S. military veterans a free doughnut on Sunday, November 11, no purchase necessary.

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