(photo credit: Dwelskir) (cover photo credit: Carl Wycoff)
Veteran’s Day freebies. I still remember the honor of meeting two of the original Navajo Codetalkers – the courageous Native Americans who entered into the fray of World War II and gave the Allies an unbreakable code that helped turn the tide of war and eventually defeat Nazi Germany. In my usual suave way, I immediately choked up and cried as I tried to thank them for what they’d done – not just for our country, but for the world. There’s really no way we can ever thank these men and women enough, let’s admit it. But, every little “thank you!” adds up into a swell of warmth and good will.
There’s no better time to add to the love than on Veteran’s Day (Wednesday, November 11th.) Here’s a nice long list of goodies and such to honor these incredible souls. Most of these offers are also good for all First Responders: ie, firefighters, EMT’s, police and rescue. Be sure to have your ID ready to show.
(photo credit: Robert-Couse Baker)
Services and Activities:
There’s an excellent list of all the parades, concerts and celebrations for Veteran’s Day in Utah here.
I Smile Dentistry is offering free dental services to veterans every Monday and Wednesday in November from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dental work that can be done within 30 minutes will be free, and there’s additional discounts for more in-depth services.
Great Clips is giving anyone who gets a haircut on November 11 will receive a card that a veteran or active-duty military service member can later use for a free haircut, Meineke offers free oil changes with military ID on Veterans Day, and national park admission is free for everyone on November 11, 2015.
Jiffy Lube is offering active and retired military free Signature Service Oil Changes, with up to five quarts of conventional oil, Wednesday.
Wiggy Wash is offering free Ultimate Plus Washes to all veterans Wednesday.
Rocket Express Car Wash will be providing free Shoot The Moon Washes to all U.S. active-duty military and their spouses, as well as veterans, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Supersonic Car Wash is offering a free Exterior Plus car wash to any current or retired member of the armed forces Wednesday.
Fabulous Freddy’s is offering veterans and active military personnel a free ultra-exterior car wash on Wednesday.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo: offers free admission to active duty or retired military personnel and their immediate families on Wednesday, 11.11.
Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum: free admission for up to 4 people for active duty and retired military personnel.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: free admission all day for retired and active duty military and their immediate families.
Tracy Aviary: retired and active duty military personnel and their families for $1.00 per person.
Utah’s Museum of Natural History: free admission for military and a guest on 11.11.
Utah Film Center – Free showing of documentary Of Men and War on Thursday, 12 Nov. 2015 at 7pm.
24 Hour Fitness: U.S. military servicemen and servicewomen get free all-club access in honor of Veterans Day.
Sears: Enjoy a rare Sears double discount for active, reserve, and retired military personnel on all Craftsman tool sets. Take 40% off all regularly priced tool sets instead of the typical 20%, and an additional 10% off all sale-priced tool sets, instead of the usual 5%.
Bed, Bath & Beyond: 20% off the entire purchase for U.S. Military, veterans and military spouses
(photo credit: ephien)
Food and Drink:
Applebee’s: Vets and active-duty military can have their pick from a special menu with options like three-cheese chicken penne, 7-oz. sirloin, and double crunch shrimp, free of charge (beverage and gratuity are not included).
California Pizza Kitchen: A special Veterans Day menu that includes pizza, salad, and pasta is free for vets and active-duty personnel.
Chili’s – Free meal, Nov. 11 2015. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of any lunch combo, or your choice of a dinner meal from a select menu, including any full-size flatbread. Offer only available 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.
Cracker Barrel: Grab a free dessert—the Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake—if you’re a veteran.
Denny’s: From 5 a.m. to noon, all veterans and active-duty personnel get a Build Your Own Grand Slam meal, with possibilities including pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit, and hash browns.
Golden Corral: From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military is welcomed to a special sit-down dinner, free of charge.
Hooters: All veterans and active-duty military personnel get an entrée on the house.
IHOP: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., all veterans and active-duty military members are welcomed to one order apiece of Red, White & Blue Pancakes, which come with glazed strawberries (red), blueberry compote (blue), and whipped cream (white.)
IKEA: From November 8 to 11, show military ID in an IKEA cafeteria for a free entrée (value up to $9.99).
Jamba Juice: is offering free small smoothies to all active duty military personnel on 11.11. ID required.
Little Caesars: Vets and active military can help themselves to a free, $5 Hot-N-Ready lunch combo, including four pizza slices and a 20-ounce beverage, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at participating locations.
On the Border: A free “Create Your Own Combo” featuring a selection of tacos, salads, enchiladas, and more (max value: $10.79) is available to all veterans and active military.
Olive Garden: Customers with military ID get a free entrée such as chicken parmigiana, lasagna, or cheese ravioli, with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks, and family members joining a veteran or active military member at the table get 10% off on Veterans Day.
Outback Steakhouse: Customers with military ID get a free Blooming Onion appetizer and free beverages on November 11, and all military and their families get 15% off the bill anytime from November 12 to December 31.
Peet’s Coffee: Complimentary drip coffee or tea is available to all vets and active-duty military on Wednesday.
Ponderosa Steakhouse: Both Ponderosa and its sister chain Bonanza Steakhouse offer free meals for veterans and active military from 4 p.m. until closing.
Red Lobster: From November 9 to 12, veterans and active military receive a complimentary appetizer or dessert.
Red Robin: Help yourself to a Red’s Tavern Double burger and bottomless steak fries if you’re a veteran or active-duty personnel.
Ruby Tuesday: Free appetizer for current and former service members at participating locations.
Sizzler: Veterans and active military get free lunch—entrée and a beverage—at participating locations until 4 p.m.
Spaghetti Warehouse, Mon Nov. 9th through Wed Nov. 11th, 2015. Buy one entrée, get one free. Coupon Required (available on their website and FaceBook page on Nov. 3). Choose any of 11 Original Recipe Spaghetti entrées and receive a second entrée free. Friends and relatives are encouraged to treat a veteran to a meal. More Info. Locations.
Starbucks: Free traditional free tall-brewed coffee for active duty service members, veterans and military spouses. Starbucks will also donate $5 to the USO Transition 360 Alliance with every purchase in select stores.
T.G.I. Friday’s, Nov. 11, 2015. Free lunch for all current military members and veterans from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Valid ID or proof of service required. Dine-on only at participating locations. Be sure to contact your local T.G.I Friday’s for details. Locations.
Tucano’s Brazilian Grill: Beginning Monday, November 9th and continuing through Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11th, all nine locations will offer active duty, reserve and retired military veterans a complimentary churrasco meal with the purchase of another meal. Veterans dining single will receive a 50% discount.
Have we missed any offers or deals? Please comment below!
