Complete Guide To 2024 Veterans Day Free Meals Discounts And Services For Military Personnel

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11th, provides an opportunity for Americans to honor and thank military veterans for their service and sacrifice. In recognition of this important holiday, numerous businesses and organizations offer special discounts, free meals, and services to veterans and active-duty military personnel. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the 2024 Veterans Day freebies and discounts available across various categories, with a focus on dining options, shopping benefits, and complimentary services.

Food and Dining Freebies

Veterans Day 2024 features an extensive selection of complimentary meals and dining discounts at restaurants nationwide. These offers typically require proof of military service, which may include a military ID, DD-214 form, or other documentation. Participation generally involves dine-in visits, though some establishments offer alternatives.

Free Meals on Veterans Day

Multiple restaurant chains are providing complimentary meals to veterans on November 11, 2024:

• Applebee's: Free full-size entrée from a special menu
• Bob Evans: Free meal from a special menu
• Buffalo Wild Wings: Free order of 10 boneless wings and fries
• bb.q Chicken: 25% off all in-store orders
• Denny's: Free Original Grand Slam from opening until noon (5 am - 12 pm)
• Dunkin': Free donut in-person at participating locations
• Farmer Boys: FREE Big Cheese® burger to all veterans and active duty military personnel
• Fogo de Chao: 50% off the Full Churrasco Experience, guests also receive 10% off
• Golden Corral: FREE Thank You Meal with dine-in visit on Military Appreciation Night (11/11/2024 from 4 pm – close)
• IHOP: Free Red, White and Blueberry pancakes or pancake combo for dine-in customers (7:00 am – 7:00 pm)
• Joe's Crab Shack: 20% off dine-in meals
• Kolache Factory: FREE Kolache and Any Size Fresh Brewed Coffee with dine-in visit and valid ID
• Kona Grill: 50% off of food with dine-in visit and valid ID (between 11/8/2024 and 11/11/2024)
• Little Caesars: Free lunch combo from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Logan's Roadhouse: Free meal from a special menu during lunch hours
• Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: FREE choice of select meals and a $10 thank you card with dine-in and valid ID
• On the Border: Free Pick Two Combo for dine-in
• O'Charley's: FREE meal from a special menu with valid ID between 11 am – 4 pm
• Outback Steakhouse: FREE BLOOMIN' ONION and choice of any Coke product of a 16 oz domestic draft with purchase of adult entree (11/9/2024 through 11/11/2024)
• Red Lobster: FREE Veterans Shrimp & Chips with visit and proof of service (10 am and 4 pm)
• Red Robin: FREE Red's Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries with dine-in visit and proof of service
• Ruby Tuesday: FREE American Smashed Burger, Ruby's Cheeseburger, or Garden Bar Salad with dine-in visit and proof of service with code HERO24
• Shane's Rib Shack: FREE Pork or Chopped BBQ Chicken Plate with in-store visit and proof of service
• Shari's: FREE homestyle breakfast with dine-in visit and valid ID
• Shoney's Restaurants: FREE Breakfast Fresh Food Bar or All-American Burger with dine-in visit and proof of service
• Sonny's BBQ: FREE Pork Big Deals with online coupon, dine-in visit, and ID.me verified proof of service
• TCBY: FREE 6 oz of Frozen Yogurt with dine-in visit and proof of service
• TGI Friday's: FREE choice of meal from select menu with dine-in visit and proof of service (11 am – 5 pm)
• Tucanos Brazilian Grill: FREE Churrasco Meal with dine-in purchase of adult churrasco meal and proof of service (11/11/2024 – 11/12/2024)
• White Castle: FREE Individual Combo Meal with dine-in visit and proof of service
• Wienerschnitzel: FREE chili dog, small fries, and small soda with dine-in visit and proof of service

Restaurants Offering Discounts

Several establishments are providing percentage discounts rather than free meals:

• Cracker Barrel: FREE Sunrise Pancake Special with dine-in visit and proof of service
• Famous Dave's: FREE Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich and choice of a side with dine-in visit and proof of service with code VETERAN
• Frisch's Big Boy: FREE Big Boy, Drink, and Fry with dine-in visit and military ID card
• Grillsmith: Complimentary entree (priced $48 or less) when dining in on 11/11/2024
• Hard Rock: 15% discount with valid ID (ongoing) and FREE Legendary Burger with valid ID on 11/11/2024
• Hooters: FREE meal (items may vary by location) with dine-in visit and proof of service
• La Madeleine: 30% discount with military ID on 11/11/2024
• Max & Erma's: 25% discount for entire table with dine-in visit and proof of service
• Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub: FREE lunch from Veterans Day Menu with purchase of any entrée and military ID (11/10/2024 from opening through 5 pm)
• Piccadilly: 10% discount (ongoing)
• Pilot Flying J: FREE meal with app, store visit, and verified proof of service via ID.me through 11/11/2024
• Qdoba: 50% discount off regular entrée with military ID on 11/11/2024
• Rainforest Cafe: 20% off of $40+ meals when dining in with military ID on 11/11/2024

Shopping Discounts for Veterans

Several retailers offer special discounts for military personnel, with some providing ongoing benefits while others have Veterans Day-specific promotions:

• Dollar General: 20% discount from November 9-12, 2024 on qualifying in-store purchases to verified active military and veterans, plus an ongoing 11% discount on the second Wednesday of each month
• Food Lion: 10% savings on in-store shopping purchase total before taxes on November 11, 2024 (excludes alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, lottery, pharmacy, postage stamps, and services)
• Home Depot: 10% discount with verified military status (ongoing – max annual benefit of $400)

Free Veterans Day Services

In addition to dining discounts and free meals, veterans can access various complimentary services:

• Goodyear Auto Service and Just Tire: FREE car care checks through 12/31/2024 (valid for everyone)
  • Tire Check: Visual check of tire condition, tread depth, tread pattern, and air pressure
  • Brake Check: Visual inspection of brake pads and rotors, shoes and drums, calipers, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, master cylinder and brake fluid level
• Dave & Buster's: Veterans get a free entree (up to $20) and a free $10 Power Card with a valid veterans ID card on November 11, 2024

Parks and Entertainment

Several attractions offer free admission or special discounts for veterans:

• Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Active duty and veterans admitted free to Colorado state parks on Veteran's Day (military member or Veteran must show proof of military service)
• Des Moines Botanical Garden: FREE admission on November 9th from 9am – 5pm
• Discovery Cove: Access to all-inclusive amenities including The Grand Reef, Freshwater Oasis, Explorer's Aviary, and Serenity Bay

How to Access These Offers

Most Veterans Day offers require proof of military service, which may include:

• Military ID card (active duty, reserves, or National Guard)
• Veterans ID card
• DD-214 form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
• Veterans designation on driver's license
• Other official documentation verifying service status

Some establishments specifically require verification through ID.me, a digital identity verification service. It's advisable to contact participating locations in advance to confirm:

1. Specific requirements for proof of service
2. Whether the offer is valid at all locations or only specific ones
3. Whether reservations are needed
4. Any restrictions or limitations on the offers

For businesses that require online coupons or advance registration (like Pilot Flying J and Sonny's BBQ), veterans should ensure they complete these steps before visiting the establishment.

Conclusion

Veterans Day 2024 offers numerous free meals, discounts, and services to honor military personnel. The most extensive offerings are in the food and dining category, with dozens of restaurants providing complimentary meals or significant discounts. Additionally, veterans can access shopping discounts at major retailers and free services from automotive and entertainment providers.

When planning to take advantage of these offers, veterans should verify participation requirements in advance and ensure they have proper documentation. While many offers are available on November 11th, some extend across the surrounding weekend or are available for multiple days.

These benefits represent a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices made by military veterans, and many businesses continue to offer ongoing military discounts throughout the year beyond Veterans Day.

Sources

1. Best Rewards Programs - Veterans Day Freebies
2. MilitaryBridge - Veterans Day Deals 2024
3. US Veterans Magazine - 2024 Veterans Day Free or Discounted Meals and Services