Military Memorial Day 2025 Complete Guide To Free Meals Discounts And Attractions For Service Members And Veterans

Memorial Day provides an opportunity to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces while also offering numerous benefits to active military personnel, veterans, and their families. Many brands, restaurants, and attractions extend special discounts and freebies as a token of appreciation. This comprehensive guide details the available offers for Memorial Day 2025, helping service members and veterans maximize their savings while commemorating the holiday.

Restaurant Freebies and Discounts

Numerous restaurant chains and local establishments offer complimentary meals or discounted dining options for military personnel during Memorial Day Weekend. Participation may vary by location, so checking with individual restaurants is recommended.

Several national restaurant chains have announced Memorial Day discounts for military members and veterans. Taco Bell provides savings on delivery through Uber One through the end of May. Cracker Barrel locations traditionally offer special deals and refreshments during Memorial Day, including the Rocket Pop Mimosa and the Signature Southern Fried Chicken Meal Basket. Military members can typically receive these discounts by showing their military ID at checkout time.

Wendy's offers military discounts to WeSalute members during Memorial Day, with participating locations potentially providing additional perks or discounts throughout the holiday weekend for qualifying military members, veterans, and their families. Similarly, Joe's Crab Shack extends 15% off to US military members and veterans on Memorial Day, while Fuddrucker's maintains a list of locations on its official site that offer military discounts, potentially providing up to 20% off when showing a military ID at checkout.

Kona Grill locations may offer up to 20% discounts to active duty personnel, veterans, and first responders in honor of Memorial Day. Applebee's is participating in military appreciation by offering 10% off bills for active, retired military service members and their families at participating restaurants. Outback Steakhouse provides 10% off with military ID at participating locations, with the official site noting "One discount per table."

Several restaurants are offering free food items to military members during Memorial Day Weekend. Participating locations of one restaurant chain offer free sandwiches to qualifying military members to celebrate Military Appreciation Month, though participation may vary depending on location. Another pizza chain has offered discounted or free pizza to military personnel, veterans, and retired military personnel on Memorial Day, with discounts sometimes available online via their Instagram account.

7-Eleven provides several Memorial Day offers for military members. Veterans Advantage members can receive a free coffee or Big Gulp on Memorial Day and earn extra rewards when linking their 7Rewards and Veterans Advantage accounts. Additionally, verified 7Rewards and ID.me members can save up to 15¢ per gallon on gas through the end of May.

Retail Discounts

In addition to dining offers, numerous retailers provide special military discounts during Memorial Day Weekend. These discounts span various product categories, from apparel and footwear to electronics and home goods.

Academy Sports + Outdoors offers military discounts during Memorial Day. Adidas extends special pricing for military members, as does Crocs, which has become popular among service personnel. HeyDude, known for comfortable footwear, provides Memorial Day discounts for military shoppers. Reebok, a sportswear brand, offers special military pricing during the holiday period.

Technology and home goods retailers also participate in Memorial Day military discounts. Samsung provides special pricing for active duty military, veterans, and their families during Memorial Day. Sleep Number, a mattress and sleep technology company, offers military discounts as part of their Memorial Day promotions. Stanley, known for their drinkware, provides special offers for military personnel. Under Armour, a sportswear manufacturer, extends military discounts during Memorial Day Weekend.

Entertainment and Attraction Freebies

Many attractions, theme parks, and entertainment venues offer free admission or discounted tickets for military personnel and their families during Memorial Day Weekend. These offers provide excellent opportunities for family outings and recreation.

Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia offers complimentary admission "once annually for Active-duty Military, Reservists, National Guard Personnel, Retired military and veterans and up to three direct dependents." This offer is available during Memorial Day Weekend. The venue is part of the Blue Star Museum program, which provides free admission to military families at various cultural institutions across the country.

Kings Island offers a free ticket for military personnel (active, veteran, retired) during Memorial Day Weekend, with a maximum of six discounted tickets available for friends and family. The offer is valid for admission any day the park is open to the public from May 23-26, 2025, and requires registration with ID.me to qualify for the discount.

SeaWorld Parks provide free one-day admission for US military veterans and up to three guests during Military Appreciation Month, which extends through Memorial Day. Active-duty military and their guests receive year-round complimentary admission at participating locations.

Zoos across the country offer special military discounts during Memorial Day. Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, AZ welcomes veterans, those on active duty, their families, and families of deployed military with a special discount on Memorial Day. The Cincinnati Zoo offers all military members—active or retired—free admission on Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day, and up to six half-price admission tickets for immediate family. The Indianapolis Zoo provides current and former military members with free admission on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The Birmingham Zoo has previously offered veterans, retired and active military personnel and up to six family members free admission throughout Memorial Day Weekend.

Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach in Athol, Idaho celebrate Memorial Day Weekend as American Heroes' Weekend, offering free admission to military personnel, veterans, police officers, firefighters, and medics with identification. Their spouses and children can purchase discounted tickets at the front gate.

Water parks also participate in military appreciation. SunSplash in Cape Coral, FL offers one free single-day admission for active or retired military and disabled veterans on Memorial Day weekend.

National Parks provide special passes for military members. The National Park Service offers a free Military Pass to current US military members and dependents as well as a free Lifetime Military Pass for Gold Star Families and Veterans. This pass is available year-round and provides access to parks during Memorial Day weekend.

Other Memorial Day Offers

Beyond restaurants, retailers, and attractions, various businesses and organizations offer special Memorial Day promotions for military personnel.

Ace Hardware provides a free American flag on May 24th while supplies last, with no purchase necessary. This offer allows military members to display their patriotism on Memorial Day.

Qalo accessories celebrates Military Family Appreciation Month by giving free silicone rings from the Military Heroes collection to those who serve and have served. Customers can verify their military status at checkout to receive the free ring.

Some retailers have announced Memorial Day sales with additional military discounts. Participating locations of one restaurant chain have offered discounted or free pizza to military personnel, veterans, and retired military personnel on Memorial Day. Another establishment is celebrating Memorial Day Weekend with a 25% discount on meals for active military personnel, veterans, and their guests.

Various businesses invite military members to participate in special appreciation events. One establishment invites military members to take part in their Public Employee Appreciation Days, which includes discounted tickets for up to six guests covering the Memorial Day period.

How to Access Military Discounts

Accessing Memorial Day military discounts typically requires proper verification of military status. The specific requirements vary by establishment, but several common methods are used across industries.

Most restaurants and retailers require presentation of a military ID at checkout time. This can include a Common Access Card (CAC), DD Form 2 (Retired Military ID), DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), or a Veterans Identification Card (VIC). Spouses and dependents may need to show dependent ID or other documentation of their relationship to the service member.

Some establishments use third-party verification services. ID.me is a commonly used platform for verifying military status online and in-person. Kings Island, for example, requires registration with ID.me to qualify for military discounts. 7-Eleven also uses ID.me for their gas discount program.

Membership programs may be required to access certain military discounts. Wendy's requires WeSalute membership for their military discounts, while 7-Eleven requires Veterans Advantage membership for their free coffee or Big Gulp offer on Memorial Day.

For attraction discounts, advance registration may be necessary. SeaWorld Parks require veterans to register by May 11, 2025, and visit by July 6, 2025, to receive their free admission offer with up to three guests.

It's important to note that participation can vary significantly by location. Even national chains may have different policies at individual locations. Calling ahead or checking the official website of a specific location is recommended to confirm participation and requirements.

Conclusion

Memorial Day 2025 offers numerous opportunities for military personnel, veterans, and their families to enjoy free meals, discounted products, and complimentary admission to various attractions. From restaurant chains providing free food and special discounts to retailers offering sales with military pricing, and from theme parks providing free admission to zoos extending special offers, there are numerous ways to celebrate the holiday while saving money.

While many offers are available nationwide, participation may vary by location, and proper verification of military status is typically required. Service members and veterans should prepare their military identification documents and consider registering with verification services like ID.me to streamline the discount process.

These offers serve as a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. By taking advantage of these Memorial Day freebies and discounts, military families can enjoy quality time together while honoring the true meaning of the holiday.

Sources

1. My Military Benefits - Memorial Day Discounts
2. Passion for Savings - Memorial Day Freebies
3. The American Legion - Discounts for Military Appreciation Month
4. USA Today - Memorial Day 2025 Military Discounts
5. US Veterans Magazine - Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day 2025