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Veterans Day 2014: an exhaustive list of freebies and discounts

In honor of Veterans Day, many businesses offer free meals, deals and discounts to veterans, active service members, reservists and retired military. We've compiled a list of this year's best Veterans Day freebies.

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Evan Vucci/AP
A member of the honor guard waits for the arrival of visitors to the annual Veterans Day Observance Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014. Americans marked Veterans Day on Tuesday with parades, speeches and military discounts, while in Europe the holiday known as Armistice Day held special meaning in the centennial year of the start of World War I.

Tuesday, November 11th is Veterans Day, so we at Brad's Deals would like to take a moment and thank the brave men and women who make up the United States military for their service, their sacrifices and their courage.

As a symbol of this country's deep appreciation for our veterans, active service members, reservists and retired military members, many businesses offer free meals, deals and discounts to service members on Veterans Day. We've compiled a list of this year's best Veterans Day freebies.

Remember, in order to receive these offers you may need to provide proof of military service. This can be done in the following ways:

  • Wear your uniform
  • Bring a picture of yourself in uniform
  • Present a US Uniform Services ID card
  • Present a current Leave and Earnings Statement
  • Present a Veterans Organization Card (American Legion or VFW)
  • Present discharge paperwork

Many establishments won't be very strict on this, but it's always best to be prepared. It's also a good idea to call ahead before redeeming a free meal or discount on Veterans Day as some chain locations may not be participating in these promotions.

Restaurants offering FREE Meals on Veteran’s Day:These offers are good on Tuesday, November 11 unless stated otherwise. 

  • 54th  Street Grill – Free meal (up to $12) for veterans and active duty military members. For every veteran’s entrée ordered, one dollar will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.
  • Applebees – Free meals from a limited menu for veterans and active duty military members
  • Bob Evans – Free, all-you-can-eat hotcakes for veterans and active duty military members
  • California Pizza Kitchen – Free complimentary entrée from a special menu for veterans and active duty military members
  • Cattlemen's – Free Small Sirloin Steak Dinner for active, inactive and retired military personnel
  • CantraArchy Restaurants – Free entrée for vets and active duty service members and 25% off their entire party’s ticket
  • Cheeseburger in Paradise – Free All-American Burger with fries for active and retired military personnel
  • Chili’s – Free meal from special menu for veterans and active duty military personnel
  • Claim Jumper – (Good on Monday, November 10) Free meal from a special menu for veterans
  • Denny’s – Free Build Your Own Grand Slam for active , inactive and retired military members from 5am to noon at participating locations
  • Friendly’s – Free breakfast, lunch OR dinner from a limited menu for vets and active military members
  • Golden Corral – (Good on Monday, November 17) Free dinner for vets, retirees, active duty and reserve military members between 5pm and 9pm
  • Hooters – Free meal (up to $10.99 value) with the purchase of a drink for veterans and active duty military members
  • Hurricane Grill & Wings -- Free meal from special menu and non-alcoholic drink for veterans and active duty military personnel
  • Hy-Vee -- Free breakfast for veterans during normal breakfast hours
  • JJ’s Red Hots – Free UNLIMITED meal for veterans and active duty military members
  • Max & Erma’s – Free Best Cheeseburger in America combo for veterans and active military personnel
  • McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – Free entrée from a special menu for veterans
  • MOD Pizza – Free individual, artisan-style pizza or hand-tossed salad for veterans and active duty service members
  • Olive Garden – Free meal from a limited menu for veterans and active duty service members
  • On the Border – Free meal from the “Create Your Own Combo” menu for veterans and current service members
  • Pie Five Pizza – Free customized pizza for veterans, active duty, reserve and retired service members
  • Pinnacle Entertainment – Free meal at select casinos for vets and active duty military
  • Ryan's -- Free dine-in lunch from open to 3;30pm for active duty, reservists and retired military members
  • Shoney’s – Free All-American Burger to veterans and active duty service members
  • Sizzler – Free lunch from a limited menu for all vets and active duty military
  • Texas Roadhouse – Free lunch from 11am to 2pm for active duty, retired or former U.S. military members
  • Travel Centers of America – Free meal to all CDL drivers who are military  veterans
  • Tubby’s – Free Grilled Steak N’ Cheese or Tubby’s Famous Sub for military vets and active service members
  • Zoes Kitchen – Free entrée for active duty military and veterans, 10% off entire party’s ticket

Restaurants Offering Discounts & Free Appetizers on Veterans Day:These offers are good on Tuesday, November 11 unless stated otherwise. 

  • Carrabba’s – Free appetizer for all active and retired vets
  • Chuck E. Cheese – (offered from November 9-15) 20 free tokens for veterans and active duty service members
  • Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream – Veterans and active duty military get a free single scoop ice cream cone
  • Krispy Kreme – Free donut and small coffee for all veterans
  • LongHorn Steakhouse – Free appetizer and non-alcoholic drink
  • Menchie’s – Free 6 oz. frozen yogurt for veterans and active duty service members
  • Orange Leaf – Free cup of frozen yogurt for retired and active duty military members
  • Outback Steakhouse – Free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and beverage for active and former service members. (Also offering 15% off meals between November 12 and December 31)
  • Red Hot & Blue – (offered from November 10-12) Free entrée with the purchase of a second entrée for veterans
  • Red Lobster – Free appetizer from a limited menu for vets and active duty service members
  • Rusty Bucket & Tavern -- 11% discount on lunch or dinner for veterans and up to four guests
  • Spaghetti Warehouse – (offered from November 4-11) Buy one entrée get a second entrée free for active duty military and veterans, requires a coupon
  • Tim Horton’s Café & Bake Shop – Free donut for active duty military members and veterans

Travel and Recreation Discounts Available on Veterans Day:These offers are good on Tuesday, November 11 unless stated otherwise. 

  • Army Corp of Engineers Recreation Areas – No day use fees for veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families
  • Busch Gardens – 50% off single-day admission tickets through November 11 for veterans and active duty military
  • Colonial Williamsburg – Free admission Veterans Day weekend (November 7-11) for active duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their direct dependents
  • Harley-Davidson Museum – Free admission to military members and their families on November 8, 9, and 11
  • Jefferson Lines – Free travel to veterans
  • Kingsmill Resort  –25% discount off regular room rates on stays November 7-13 for veterans and active duty military
  • Knott's Berry Farm – Free admission for veterans and active duty military personnel and one guest from November 2, 2014 to January 4, 2015
  • Mariners’ Museum – $5 off admission from Saturday, November 8 to Tuesday, November 11 for active duty and retired military, veterans and their families
  • 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. Special $99 hotel room rate between Monday November 10 and Thursday, November 13 for active and retired military members
  • Mount Vernon – Free admission for all active duty, former, or retired military personnel
  • National Parks – Free entrance to over 100 national parks for veterans
  • Professional Association of Innkeeping International – Free and discounted stays at Inns and Bed & Breakfasts across the country for veterans between November 10 and 11
  • Queen Mary – Free admission to active service members, retired military personnel, veterans and special discounts for their family members
  • SeaWorld – 50% off single-day admission tickets through November 11 for veterans and active duty military
  • Sesame Place -- 50% off single-day admission tickets through November 11 for veterans and active duty military
  • World of Coca-Cola –Free admission for active duty, reserves and retirees. (Vets and active duty military can purchase up to 4 half-price tickets for friends and family between November 8 through November 16)

Retail Discounts Available on Veterans DayThese offers are good on Tuesday, November 11 unless stated otherwise. 

  • Bed Bath & Beyond -- 20% off entire purchase for veterans, active duty, DOD, National Guard, and military spouses
  • Grace for Vets – Free  car washes for veterans and service members
  • Great Clips – Free haircuts for veterans (Customers who come in on November 11 will receive a free haircut card to give to a veteran--cards can be redeemed November 11 -December 31)
  • Home Depot -- 10% discount to all veterans on Veterans Day. (Home Depot actually offers this 10% discount year round to for active duty service members and retired military personnel)
  • Lowe's -- 10% in-store only discount for veterans
  • Macy's -- (offer valid November 5-11) 20% off with coupon code "VETS"
  • Musician's Friend -- 15% off a single item priced at $199 or more for all military personnel who verify their military status (instructions here)
  • Rack Room Shoes -- 10% discount off entire purchase for military personnel and their dependents
  • Sleep Number -- (offer valid between October 14 and November 16) Military members can save $400-$700 on selected Sleep Number mattress sets.
  • Sport Clips -- Free haircuts for vets and active duty service members
  • Steve Madden --  20% off entire purchase with a valid military ID

If you've got loved ones in the armed forces, share this list with them. Every member of our dedicated Armed Forces deserves a hearty dose of appreciation, and nothing says "thank you" better than freebies!

Did we miss something? Are there Veterans Day specials where you work? Let us know in the comments.

"The ultimate list of 2014 Veteran's Day freebies and discounts!" first appeared on Brad's Deals. 

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