Veteran’s Day is soon approaching and there are many restaurants and companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free meal or discount, the military community gives a collective thanks!
Our goal is to share as many of these free meals and discounts with our military veterans and we will update this page as soon as new information becomes available.
2011 Veteran’s Day Free Meals and Discounts
Two notes before jumping in:
- Proof of Military Service. First, most companies require some form of military ID – including a U.S. Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may only require a photo of you in uniform, or go by the honor system.
- Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. We will do our best to keep this page updated as we find new info.
2011 Free Veterans Day Meals
Please credit this resource: We are frequently updating this list with new deals and offers for the military community. If you use items this list, please direct your visitors to this page so they can find the most up to date information: http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/ Thanks!
Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Military ID or proof of service required. Find locations at http://applebees.com/.
Bar Louie, Free meal on Veterans Day. Active duty military members and veterans can receive a free meal, up to $10 in value, and a free non-alcoholic beverage. Available at all locations, military ID or proof of service is required. See FaceBook page for more info.
BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse, Fri. Nov. 11th. Complimentary lunch entree or a one topping mini pizza for dinner. Offer valid to all active duty military and veterans, with proof of service. More info.
Champps Americana. We’re celebrating our Veterans with an All American Meal! All Veterans and Active Military will receive a free burger on November 11th! Proof of service required. Offer not valid for the Pepperjack Bacon Stack Burger or Kobe Burger. Dine in only, valid at participating locations. Find a location near you.
Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available from 11am – 5pm on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.
Denny’s Veterans Day Appreciation Event, Nov. 11. 2011. Free Grand Slam breakfast to any veteran from. Participating markets include select diners in Maryland, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Colorado and Washington, DC (from 6:00am – 2:00pm), as well as the following New York locations: Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo areas (from 6:00am – 10:00pm). Call ahead to verify, and check with your local Denny’s if you live in another area. Source.
Fox & Hound and Bailey’s Sports Bar. Veterans and Active Duty Military will receive a free item from the 7 under $7 menu. Active military ID, retiree card, or other proof of service required. Visit site for location information.
Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.
Special thanks to Golden Corral: To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.5 million free meals and contributed over $4.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.
Famous Dave’s – Friday Nov. 11th. Free or discounted meals on Veterans Day. Offer varies by location, please check the Famous Dave’s Veteran’s Day page or call your local restaurant for more information.
Hooters – Free Meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Get 10 Free Wings – Boneless or Regular, drink purchase required. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. For more information, visit, www.HootersVeteransDay.com.
Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees & veterans on Friday November 11th. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.
Little Caesars® Pizza. Little Caesars is honoring the men and women of the United States armed forces this Veterans Day 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. Find a location near you.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – free lunch or dinner, Sunday Nov 13, 2011: McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 13th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13th. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée. Veterans must provide proof of military service. Be sure to contact your local McCormick & Schmick’s as this is valid at participating restaurants only. Also, Space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. For more information visit: M&S Veterans Appreciation Event.
Outback Steakhouse – A week of Free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Monday Nov. 7 – Friday Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day. This offer is available to Military Personnel who have one of the following forms of identifications: U.S Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), DD form 214 Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), Photograph in Uniform, Wearing Uniform. For more information, visit, http://outback.com/companyinfo/veteransday.aspx.
The Outback understands commitment. For the past two years, The Outback, with the help of their patrons, has donated $2 Million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization providing everyday and emergency support for active troops, wounded warriors and their families.
Sizzler Restaurants, Nov. 11, 2011. Buy one get one free, 6 oz. Steak Entree with the purchase of a second one. Valid with proof of military service. More info.
Spaghetti Warehouse Once in a Lifetime Veteran’s Day Celebration. In honor of US military veterans and the unique once in a lifetime date: 11-11-11, Spaghetti Warehouse is offering lasagne or any original recipe spaghetti entree for only $0.11, with the purchase of a lasagne or any original recipe spaghetti entree at regular price. This offer is open to everyone, not just veterans. Download the coupon at their website.
Subway – Free Six Inch Sub, November 11, 2011. Select SUBWAY® Restaurants will offer a FREE six inch sub or flatbread to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. This offer is valid only on November 11, 2011 at participating local SUBWAY® restaurants, Military ID or proof of service required. Note: SUBWAY® Restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead for participation and times.
Texas Roadhouse – free lunch, Friday, Nov. 11 (11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.). Every Texas Roadhouse location across the country will participate in the free lunch event to honor the men and women of our armed forces. Offer good for All veterans – including all active, retired or former U.S. military. ID Required. See the Texas Roadhouse Veterans Day page for more information.
T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one get one free Nov 11. Valid for all US Military personnel and veterans. Must wear uniform (if permitted by your service) or present military ID or other proof of service. Only valid at participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID. More details on TGIFridays.com.
The Olive Garden, Free entrée. Offer good for veterans and active duty military, on Friday, November 11th during regular business hours. Chose from a special menu; all entrées inlcude freshly baked garlic sticks and choice of soup or salad. Off er good in US and Canada, proof of service required. More info.
Twin Peaks, Friday, Nov. 11. Free entrée for service men and women (up to $10). Good for veterans and active service personnel with valid ID or proof of service. Dine in only; gratuity not included. Find a location near you.
Uno Chicago Grill, Friday, Nov. 11. Veteran’s Day Discount: 19.43% discount on their food and non-alcoholic beverage beverages purchases from11/7 through 11/11. Why 19.43%, do you ask? That is the year UNO invented deep dish pizza. Offer good for all military for veterans and active duty military. ID or proof of service required: Show up in uniform (if your service permits), provide military ID, show a picture of yourself in uniform, or have other ID showing proof of service.
Home Depot and Lowe’s Military Coupon Updates
Update: Home Depot and Lowes 10% Military Discount Available Everyday.
Home Depot Military Discount: The Home Depot(R) is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran’s Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 and is available at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations. The 10% military discount is available everyday for active duty and retirees, but not all veterans. Home Depot makes this offer available to all veterans on most military holidays. You can also find Home Depot discounts online.
Lowe’s Military Discount: Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available Nov. 7 – Nov. 11. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards. Like Home Depot, Lowes offers this discount daily to active duty military members, but not to veterans. However, they extend the offer to military veterans on military holidays. You can also find exclusive discounts at Lowe’s.com.
Free Park Admissions for Veterans Day
Anheuser-Busch Parks. Anheuser-Busch Parks offers Active Duty Service Members free admission for them and up to 3 dependents to any of their parks once a year. Throughout 2011, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. The Here’s to the Heroes program is only available to Any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman. Eligible parks include: Adventure Island, Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay or Williamsburg), SeaWorld (Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio), Sesame Place, and Water Country USA. Not valid at Discovery Cove and Aquatica. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. is not included as part of this program. For more information and to register, visit: Free admission summary, and ticket application.
Colonial Williamsburg Free Admission. Colonial Williamsburg offers free weekend-long admission tickets to active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their immediate dependents from Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 13th. The complimentary ticket includes admission to Colonial Williamsburg exhibition sites, art museums, and most daytime programs, as well as free parking and use of the shuttle bus system. Tickets are only available at on-site ticket sales locations. Tickets are also available to families of deployed servicemembers. Tickets available on the following dates: Nov. 11-13.
Fee Free Day at National Parks. To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that areas managed by the National Park Service would not charge entrance fees for Veteran’s Day weekend – November 11-13, 2011. Over 100 national Parks will be participating in this event.
Historic Jamestowne – Free Admission. The National Park Service commemorates Veterans Day with Fee Free days at Historic Jamestowne November 11-13. Free admission for everyone. See events calendar.
Knotts Berry Farm Military Tribute Days – Free Admission. Knott’s Berry Farm has an annual Military Tribute event in which they offer military members past and present by offering free park admission. This year the Military Tribute Days run from November 1 – 24 November (Thanksgiving Day). Veterans or current serving military personnel plus one guest get in FREE with proper ID presented at Knott’s turnstile (DD214, Veterans Administration Hospital ID or Active Military Service ID). Purchase up to six additional tickets for just $17 each. More info.
Pro Football Hall of Fame – Free Admission. Annual Veterans Day Salute, Saturday, November 05, 2011, 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM. Any veteran or member of the armed forces and their spouse or a guest will be admitted free of charge to the Hall of Fame for a day-long recognition of US Military veterans. Members of the Blue and Gold Star Mothers will also be eligible for free admission. There will be a special ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Hall of Fame’s NFL Films Theater. More information.
San Jacinto Monument and Museum (La Porte, TX). November 7-13: Free admission to the theatre, Observation Floor, and (on November 12-13) the special exhibit to all veterans and their families. More info.
Bed and Breakfast for Vets
In the third year of the program, B&Bs for Vets has organized over 485 (and counting) participating Bed and Breakfasts and Inns across the US and Canada which will be offering veterans a free night’s stay on November 10th, the night before Veterans Day. This offer is available to both active duty military members and veterans with ID, but space is limited. Each Inn and B&B has at least one room available for this promotion and reservations must be made directly through the participating Inns and B&Bs. For more information visit B&Bs for Vets.
Free Hugo® Canes for Veterans.
Sam’s Club® locations nationwide will distribute 36,000 Hugo® canes free of charge on November 9th, 10th, 11th, 2011 to U.S. military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities available, while supplies last. Sam’s Club® Membership is not required, but proof of military service may be required. For more information, visit HugoSalutes.com.
Veteran’s Day Discounts – Retail Stores & More
Here are some additional Veteran’s Day Discounts. In all cases, be sure to provide proper ID or proof of service. In addition, some of these stores are franchises, so verify participation before assuming the discount is in place.
Amazon.com – Free MP3 album download “Veterans Day Honor” This free downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit Amazon now through Veteran’s Day to download the album for free (album will be full price again starting Nov. 12).- Big Lots – 10% off your entire purchase with valid military ID. more info.
- Cabela’s. Cabela’s is giving their standard employee discount to all US military veterans, active duty military, Guard/Reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel on Nov. 10-11. Discount varies from 5% to 20%, depending on the item.
- Dollar General. 10% discount on entire purchase on Veteran’s Day. Offer good for all active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Guard/Reserve, & immediate family members. The coupon can be found in the store circular, or by asking an employe. Also good online from Nov 11-13, use Coupon Code VETERANSDAY. More info.
- Free Business Cards and Checks. Get 25 FREE Checks – Choose from 6 different designs or upgrade to premium checks and choose from many more designs. Bonus Offer – Get 250 Free Business Cards! FREE Checks & Business Cards offer.
- Free Car wash. Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2010.
Jos. A. Bank Specials: Veterans Day Sale- 1 Day Only! All Suits On Sale- 2nd for $47 Mix ‘n Match. 40% Off All Dress Shirts, Sportshirts, Ties & Sportswear. Free Shipping on Orders $195+. Valid: November 11. JoS. A. Bank Veterans Day Sale Orders.
K-Mart. Exclusive Early Veterans Day Sale – Nov. 10th! EXTRA 5-10% off Almost Everything with coupon code VETERANSDAY. Friday & Saturday Specials + EXTRA 5-15% off & FREE Shipping orders of $49 with coupon code HOLIDAY.
- Netflix: Netflix – One Month Free Trial.
- Seven-Eleven – Free small Slurpee on Friday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Offer good to all current and former military members. ID or proof of service required.
- Sports Authority – 15% off all purchases. All Veterans and Military personnel please stop by your local Sports Authority store to receive 15% OFF YOUR ENTIER PUCHSASE on 11.11.11 ONLY! Please show proper identification or proof of service at check-out to receive this special offer.
- Sport Clips – Veterans Day National cut-a-thon and Help A Hero program. Sport Clips is the official haircutter of the VFW and will donate $1 from every haircut during the National Cut-a-Thon to VFW’s Operation Uplink, which provides free phone time to active-duty military personnel and hospitalized veterans. Sports Clips stores also offer a offer a Heroes discount which includes active and retired military. Find a location near you.
- Steve Madden. We’d like to salute our heroes by doubling our everyday military discount of 15% to 30% OFF for Veteran’s Day ONLY. Valid with a form of Military identification (past or present) in Steve Madden stores only (not valid online). *Full priced merchandise only. Find a store near you.
- Tim Hortons – all US locations are offering a free donut to all veterans (check out the Star Spangled donut!).
- $100 for opening new Chase Freedom VISA.
Regional Veteran’s Day Discounts
There have been multiple request to include local and regional Veteran’s Day discounts. We are happy to include these in our list. Please use our Contact Page to send us the information. Please be sure to include a link to the website so we can verify it and share it with our readers. If a website is not available, then please use the company e-mail address so we can verify the offer.
- America’s Incredible Pizza Company (St. Louis and St. Peters, MO). Free meal Nov. 11th. Call ahead to verify hours and locations.
- Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, CA). Free admission for veterans, military personnel, police officers, and firefighters who show valid service ID on November 11, 2011. More info.
- Barmuda (Iowa) – free meal. Barmuda is offering a free meal to all active duty members and veterans in all restaurants. More information.
- Brevard Zoo (Melbourne, FL), Nov. 11-13. Free Admission to military veterans with proof of service. More info.
- Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse (NY, NJ, PA) – 2 for 1 entree. Nov. 11, 2011. Buy one, get one of equal or lesser value, with valid military ID or proof of service. Cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. Get coupon.
- Des Moines Botanical Center. Free admission November 11, 2011 for Veterans and their families. More info.
- Detroit area Ponderosa, Nov. 14. Beginning at 11:00 am, all 7 Detroit area Ponderosa Restaurants will offer a free buffet meal for military veterans. More info.
- Riding Academy of NJ, Nov. 11-13. Free beginner motorcycle safety training course for New Jersey Residents. For more information, contact Ray Noreika, the owner of The Riding Academy of NJ at (201) 742-2300 or visit The Riding Academy of NJ s website at www.theridingacademyofnj.com.
- San Antonio Symphony and the United States Air Force Band of the West. Free Veterans Day Concert November 13, 2011. More info.
- The Electric Bean in Longview, WA is offering all military veterans past and present a free 16 oz beverage of their choice. This offer is available during business hours on November 11, 2011. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service.
More offers available to everyone (not just military and veterans): These offers are available to anyone and require signing up for a new account.
- 2 Free Airline Tickets: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- 6 Free Nights hotel stay: Marriott Rewards® Credit Card
- Up to $400 in gift cards: Citibank Checking Account
- $250 Cash Bonus: Citi ThankYou Preferred Card
- Free Gamefly Trial
- Free Netflix trial
Check out more military discounts on this site.
To all who served – a simple thank you is never enough. But I’ll say it anyway. Thanks for your service.
Comments
I wish to say Thank You to all of my Brother’s and Sister’s. Past, Present and Future. I come from a long line of military family. I was a Seabee 71 to 75. My father was in WW two. 3 rd army 102 inf. Patton’s army. My grandfather in WW one AEF. Many of my cousin’s also. The most famous Sgt York. We all served this country to keep it free, not for free deal’s. All gave some, some gave all.
York. C, HOORAH Seabee. I was a CM in NMCB-1 from 1993-1998. Thank you for your service as well.
York, I too come from a long line of military family. My grandfather was in the very first division of green berets when they first started. My father retired from the U.S. Navy being in 26 years. I was in the U.S. AirForce for 9 years. And I have three other brothers who also served in other branches of service, some still do. I have been deployed to the middle east 5 times, but many other places as well. Your right, we all serve to keep our country free but Ryan Guina put this site together to help veterans like us find places for a free hot meal. Some and many of us are on the brink of being homeless and this, I believe is a good thing for us veterans. People need to quit complaining and be generous for some of the help people are trying to give us!
Hi York,
I stumbled across your reply. It is very interesting to me as my third cousin was Gracey Williams who married Sgt. Alvin York. Perhaps you knew my 2nd cousin, Sgt. Jerry Campbell, that gave his all fighting in Vietnam? God bless his family! I was in the 3rd Army 73-75; my dad was a top sergant that refused 3 offers to go to officer candidate school….he told them it was the sergant’s that win wars. Not a very common attitude in the U.S. today. My grandfather went to grammar school with Alvin. Would love to hear from you.
Friendly’s Ice Cream offered free sundae’s last year
Thanks, Tom. I wasn’t able to verify this from their website, and since they are franchises, this may be on a location by location basis. So it’s recommended everyone check first before assuming it applies across the chain!
First, thank you to Ryan Guina for putting together this website, this list of generous merchants, and giving veterans a place to express their feelings. Second, I wholeheartedly agree with many of the comments. Citizens don’t join the military and serve their country with the hope of a free meal. Excluded from these offers are those who paid the ultimate price, those who lost a loved one and don’t hold a military ID, and our brave women and men currently serving in dangerous and/or distance deployments. God bless them and let us not forget them. And to all veterans, have a good Veterans Day, free meal or not, and thank you for your service.
Thank you for gathering and supplying this information. It’s really a great service!
Thank you so much for putting this information together – Thank you for your service.
This information is HIGHLY appreciated, especially to those of us who have been more than 12 months/currently unemployed!
I even think that the BX/PX, Navy/Marine Corps. Exchange, and the Commissaries should open their doors as well. Especially the Commissaries as they are DoD anyways. I work, and shop at them but I think, (at least) for Veteran’s Day all Veteran’s, and dependants should be eligible.
PEP Boys also gives a 10% discount year round, they have it on display on a tiny little poster by their window. It’s only for active personnel though.
This site is absolutely fantastic. I am passing along all the above to as many
veterans as I can. Thank you for your service and for your much needed and
appreciated information.
Thank a veteran today and every day!!
Thank you for the info, Ryan. Beef O’Brady’s is supposedly offering free meals on Veteran’s Day, too.
This is always refreshing. I was in Iraq for 15 months, and Afghanistan for 12 months. Given, it is a volunteer job just like any other, but it’s a bigger step than most. I like seeing promotions like this because it shows that it’s really not a forgot thing in America. Many places say they have military/veteran preference for jobs.. that’s not true. Some do, but most just say it because they’re being watched. So from a recent Vet, Thank You!
Thanks goes to YOU Ron! Also to the other volunteers who have served and those who continue to serve.
THANK YOU!
Thanks, Ron, for your unflinching service to the United States of America, and for the many sacrifices you, AND your loved ones endured during your time of service. My wife and I salute you!
Home Depot actually does 10% for ALL Veteran’s everyday. When I shop there I show them my VA Card and that works just as fine.
No Home Depot does not. I stopped shopping there. Only Lowe’s appreciates Vets, 365 days a year.
Have always gotten a discount with my military spouse ID at Home Depot. Lowe’s was mad when I asked, demanded to see my husband’s ID instead and refused to offer it because he was only a reservist. And the manager was rude. Will never return to Lowe’s.
Home Depot does indeed offer a 10% discount everyday to Military personnel, as does Lowes. Since the ID cards are the same, they should not be discriminating between Active military and Guard/Reserve.
The difference here is that HD only offers 10% up to $500 normally. On Veterans Day, it goes up to $2000.
I think it really depends on which home depot you are at and who is working. My husband is a veteran and sometimes they honor it and then sometimes they don’t.
Closest HD to me (35 miles) offers the discount 365 days, I will not return to Lowes (5 miles from me) because they will not offer it 365, plus the manager was rude and I was told by him that he didnt care for the discount and really wished they wouldnt offer it to any of the military! Needless to say I have excersised my right not shop there.
Drew; fortunately, this is just a local problem of which you speak. Our Home Depot and Lowe’s both provide Military and Veteran discounts throughout the year, and are cheerful about it (Home Depot is 2 miles away, and Lowe’s is about three miles distant). Perhaps it’s because we live in Nebraska and not very far (12 miles) from an Air Force installation that folks here are so gracious to the active duty, Reserves, retireds that we receive such greatly appreciated recognition from them, and a host of other businesses, both large and small. My personal thanks go out to you, Drew, for your service and sacrifices to the Country!
I am offering photos for all vets in my studio on friday the 11th from 10AM til 7PM. Digital copies will be emailed to the vets or they can order a print for a hugely reduced price as well….located in COLOMA, WI, at 159 front street (huge grey building on the main drag) you can see my work at ootophoto.com.
I took my 90-year old father to Lowe’s to get a 10% veterans discount earlier this year. We had his original discharge papers from the end of World War II. Lowe’s refused to give the discount. Check carefully as to what Lowe’s considers acceptable documentation.
John, that is horrible that they wouldn’t give your father a discount! Especially for a WWII vet, that makes it a million times worse!!!!! I hated Lowe’s before I read this; even more so now.
“OUT FREAKIN STANDING,” ………..to all of those businesses honoring our past and present Heroes!!! Keep up the good work, because if it wasn’t for our Brave men and women fighting for our freedom, you’d most likely be speaking German or Japanese……..or even Arabic……..Think about it!!! “USA, ALL THE WAY!!!!”
Hey All,
Got an email from Sizzler – buy one steak dinner get one free w/ proof of service.
FYI
the hy-vee grocery stores in and around omaha ne. are offering free breakfasts to vets. 63ARMORED DIV. BIG RED ONE
Boscovs offers military discount with ID as well. 15% off clothing and 10% or 5% off other items in store. You have to go to their service desk to get the paper to use at the checkout desks.
god bless all veterans and those who are serving now far away willnot be forgotten bless all for the freedom we have today amen
Kohl’s offers a 15% discount every day…
Thank you, never knew that, shop there all the time. Always use my ID card too. Of course I always used my ID card at Home Depot, but never got the discount until I asked.
Real military wives don’t ask for recognition either. This offer of free meals is nice because of the gesture. Whether or not military families active or retired choose to go we should all recognize that ANY recognition is a nice thing for others in our country to do. Vietnam vets got crapped on and the vets that are from our newest wars are coming back w problems the health care system they were promised is not equipped to deal with. They ask for understanding. That simple. These offers are a step towards that.
Semper Fidelis
I know the military men + women didn’t serve for rewards after they got out (other than what they knew about going in), or while they are still serving, but I think it’s great that all these corporations have chosen to use part of their budget (prolly billed to advertising or public relations) to give these folks a treat on Veterans Day.
I THINK WILL TAKE OFF WORK THAT DAY…MAKE THE ROUNDS..BE FAT …AND HAPPY…THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HEALTH CARE FOR VETS…IT’S ALL MARKETING BECAUSE VETS WILL PATRONIZE THOSE PLACES….IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH NO-BAMA…OCCUPY ANY STREET…DON’T WORK …PROTEST WHATEVER YOU WANT FOR FREE ON THE BACKS OF ALL OF US WHO SERVED. Y O U ..A R E..W E L C O M E..
I’ve lost my Veterans Military ID Card. Anyone know how I can get another one?? I was in the Navy stationed at Barbers Point, Hawaii from 1976 to 1980.
Thanks ….Rocket
Ron/Rocket I know you can call the armory nearest you and make an appointment to get a new one. Also if you have a VA near you they will give you a VA ID card for just getting in the system. If there is a base near you, you can get an ID there as well, by appointment. I don’t know about the losing it part, if it’s expired I don’t think they care. If it active there might be an additional process to go through. Good Luck and Thank You!
Go to your VA hospital or you can go online and register but you will still have to get one at the VA.
Go to your nearest Deers/rapids site and they should be able to help you out . check out this website to find it: http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appj/site?execution=e1s1
take your discharge paperwork to the VA in your area and they should be able to help you, local military ID should be able to hook you up as well
All the places I’ve gone to have honored my VA medical benefits card. Please, and ALL VETERANS, go to your nearest VA medical center and REGISTER. It doesn’t matter whether you use their services or not. VA funding is based on the number of veterans in each facilities service area. So, help other vets by registering.
Thanks …Sail Army
if it’s still a valid (not expired) id card then any mil installation should be able to replace it for you. regardless of branch, any installation should be able to help you out.
Try your Veterans Representative through your local, county job service, or employment bureau. Or, call the American Legion, VFW, or AMVETS, and ask for their Service Officer. I got copies of my DD-214 for free. Fair winds, and following seas…
You have to currently be enlisted or be a retired veteran to have a Veterans Military ID Card. Otherwise you use your DD214.
This is to everyone serving or retired etc in the Military. You may not expect anything and say it was just your job, but there are many of us who deeply appreciate the sacrifice you have made to protect our lives and freedom. To us a mere Thank You just doesn’t seem enough. So enjoy a dinner or discount or whatever is offered where you live, you deserve it! It takes special people to do what you have done or are doing. Happy Veterans Day and Thank You Very Much
Thanks for your good wishes, Collen! Many of us, retired and beyond active military duty age, would be more than happy to return to active duty; you see, the “old man” is one cranky individual now, and so, the enemy wouldn’t dare try to face us down…cross us and beware! What have WE got to lose? The young man is too interested in girls and as a result he won’t concentrate on the demon facing him. That’s meant to be a joke, incidentally. I salute the military people of today and hold them in very high esteem. Thanks again, Friend.
You need to add Bojangle’s Restaurants to your list. They were offering 50% off, but had to cut it down to 25% due to rising food prices. They offer this every day and every meal. My wife and I make it a point to eat there once a week.
If you are a vet who is making a living wage, honor others who are not so fortunate. Simply ask the manager to create a gift card in the amount of your discount and tell him or her to pass it on to a needy vet, firefighter, teacher, or policeman who could use it. The managers know who is needy and who the players are. They will make sure the gift card goes to someone who truely deserves and needs it. Don’t let a person go hungry just because you wanted a discount you really didn’t need.
Thanks! Good information. I hope the word gets out to the scores of homeless vets that could REALLY benefit from these appreciative meals.
Ponderosa in Johnstown Pa at least, offers free breakfast every year to the vets and active members, proof of service req.
Bugaboo Creek in Delaware is also offering a free eal to vets on Friday 11/11/11
I would just like to say as a veteran, thank you to all the companies that show their appreciation to us. Coming home from Afghanistan on my second tour I was walking through the airport and I don’t think I made it ten feet without either someone thanking me or shaking my hand. I have never been more humbled in my entire life. I think it is really amazing that there are so many companies willing to give us freebies and discounts. It just goes to show that we as a nation stand together for each other. Thank you!
Mike: WELCOME HOME, Soldier; than you for a job well done, and thank you and your family for the sacrifices endured by both of you! We hope that your tours of duty are over. Your country thanks you!
Here in Grand Rapids,MI the Home Depot offers 10% of all year with some sorat of proof of service. I show them my V.A. card and always get it, no problem. On the other hand, we asked at the Lowes stores and we were told Lowes wants to treat everyone the same and does NOT give any discounts to service people or others.
Ric
HD normally only gives 10% up to $500. Veterans Day it goes up to $2000
How odd. I get a 10% discount at lowes all the time. No issues or hassles, just show my va card….. There is no amount limit either of what I am purchasing at Lowes or Home Depot.
Lowes does the military discount with your VA card as well as military ID no matter if you are active or retired, some stores you have to get a override for it but we honor our military vets regardless of status.
Buffalo Wild Wings in MN, 15% all day every day. Never knew it till I went in with my Assault Pack on. Cashier asked me if I was current and when I showed my ID card I got the discount.
It’s interesting that so many of you are having problems with Lowe’s and not with Home Depot. In San Antonio, Texas, it’s exactly opposite. The Lowe’s near my home has won my business by giving myself and my husband 10% off everything, including installed products. Home Depot will not give the discount on installed products and were really nasty about it. I guess it varies from place to place.
Thank you Veteran’s, for your sacrifice and service. Without you, I wouldn’t be free to write this comment.
I have noticed folks also having issues with one or the other too….interesting. Here in Tennessee I have not had an issue with Lowes or Home depot, they give me the discount 365 days a year, no $ limit. They won’t give it to my husband if I am not present, but that is it. Must be the managers.
yes, i’ve also been very fortunate with Lowe’s in my area. always honoring the discount and giving great service. have had repeated trouble with Home Depot, but i still appreciate the recognition very much.
Ryan, Thanks for all the good info on special deals for Veterans Day. I had 35 years of combined service and its nice to receive a freebie now and then. I look forward to future mailings. Regards, Dan Taylor
Awesome job Tom, thanks,
Also, Famous Daves offers 10% to military everyday, you just have to ask for it.
In OH, Lowe’s used to be great – polite and pleasant – about the 10% vet discount. Now they require manager verification, act put out, and tell you that it’ll be going away.
Last time they said “You’re lucky because this is for active service and retired, not just veterans”.
So becuase you birthed someone that is in the military you think you should get free stuff too??? Wow typical american thought process we have a day to honor their service but all you can think about is what about me!! Get a life!
golden corral is doing one as well.
I do not feel that it is right for you to ask for recognition. Your recognition is that as a mother/father you raised an incredible human being that regardless of the risk, he/she is willing to stand up and fight for our country. That should be enough empowerment and recognition. The offering of a free meal is just a way for this country to say thank you. A free meal is minimal to the life threatening job that they do, but we as a country will do what we can to support our military men and women, even if it is a free meal on veterans day, its something that doesnt have to be given, but it is proudly. Not that I do not respect you, your patience, your strength, and your ability to go day to day without knowing if your child is ok. But you have to have faith in our troops, that on their end, they are doing everything they can for us, and for themselves. To be able to come home, and bring home everyone they can. God Bless America and its people!
If Lowes or Home Depot fail to give an active, retired, or disabled veteran the 10% discount contact their corporate office. just do a serch for their website.
I am looking forward to going to eat a free meal on Veterans Day. Plus the establishments that offer this gratitude will benefit because we will bring other family members with us to enjoy our day. Thankyou to all businesses that remember veterans on this day and every day.. linda b
As a person who has fought for Veteran’s for thirty years, it’s nice to know that these companies in this economy are truely SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS. Now if we could get better financial support for the VA, our bases, DAV, and Salvation Army, my Veterans would be good to go. Thanks to all corporations and businesses for saying “Thanks.” (22 year wife of a Veteran of three wars).
There are so many special days in a year, Mothers Day, Fathers day, Etc…..I believe that if not for our BRAVE Soldiers, we would not be celebrating these days. These discounts; Wow, such a small way of saying Thank You…I don’t think that there are 10,000 Soldiers visiting one restaurant or store…Give em a break…they really deserve it…Thank you for keeping us safe….
Last time I checked, your CHILD joined the military, not you. No offense, but your child is the one who deserves the recognition and the appreciation. Why you feel like you’re doing just as much as he is and deserve the same recognition, I may never know. Try not to be selfish, and let him have the well earned glory. I’m also in the military, and I hate when those who didn’t sign their life over to protect the citizens of our country think that they, too, deserve something for it just because they are family it close friends. Please realize your child gave up everything, and the only thing you gave nothing. You can’t say you gave your child, because he makes decisions on his own.
Thank-you for this site, it has really helped. Thank you to ALL the men and women who have fought for our Country, including the Vietnam Vets who sacrificed a lot, which whom many of them suffer from Agent Orange. They are ALL HERO’S… God Bless!
Julie, I know that you didn’t purposely forget the Korean War Veteran, but you failed to mention him/her in your comments. It seems rather odd, that for all the conflicts that this nation of ours was involved in, from the Revolutionary War, right on down to the present war in Iraq, the only war that has become “The Forgotten War” was the Korean War (1950 – 1953), in which many thousands of American lives were lost, many are still missing, and who knows probably incarcerated somewhere in the Frozen North or in China; both places where life is worthless.
Yes your support we all need it, but your not going over seas and risking your life, so you do not deserve the free stuff for it.
I served 23 years of active duty and never thought of how civilian business acknowledge the service of the men and women who served. I would like to thank you for all of your support and thank you for the years that you have continued to support our troops of the past, present, and the future. Thank you!
We both served over 50 years ago. John Army, Me Air Force. Very proud of our present day service people, but ashamed of the treatment they received when they come home. Come on America can’t we do better than this?
Just a Thank You to the Business that are honoring us Veterans, I really appreciate it. My oldest brother was killed in the Korean war, he was in the AirForce died at 27, my other 2 brothers, both servced in Germany, One was Army, Other was Air Force, I myself Vietnam Vet 67-68 AIR FORCE , Don’t know why I was sent there, but Uncle Sam needed me, so I went their to serve our country, We are damn proud of this country even if it has a few problems, so THANKS all you veterans for job well done, an GOD BLESS THE USA RJ
Just like to say wow! Never knew there was so many discounts or free offers for vets! Thanks for putting this out there for all to look into. Thank you for your service as well.