Des Moines Veterans Day 2024 Free Meals Discounts And Special Offers For Military Personnel

Veterans Day in Des Moines is marked by numerous businesses and organizations offering complimentary meals, discounts, and special perks as a token of appreciation for military service members and veterans. Across the city, restaurants, grocery stores, attractions, and community events provide opportunities for veterans and active-duty personnel to enjoy free food, discounted admission, and other benefits. This comprehensive guide outlines the available offerings for Veterans Day 2024, helping veterans and their families take full advantage of these gratitude-filled opportunities.

Restaurants and Dining Establishments

Several restaurants in Des Moines and the surrounding metro area offer complimentary meals or significant discounts to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day. These establishments range from local favorites to national chains with locations in the area.

National Chains with Des Moines Locations

Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill provides veterans and active-duty military members with a free meal from a limited Veterans Day menu. The offer is valid for dine-in service only. Similarly, Bar Louie offers any craft burger for free to active military members, retired veterans, reserves, and National Guard members when dining in. Both establishments require proof of military service.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse extends complimentary entrees valued up to $14.95 to all servicemembers, along with a free Dr Pepper beverage. This offer is valid for dine-in guests only and is limited to one entree and one beverage per person.

54th Street Grill offers veterans and active-duty servicemembers a free entree up to $12 value on Veterans Day. Meanwhile, Black Angus Steakhouse provides a special Veterans Day plate for $9.99 as a discounted option for military personnel.

Local Des Moines Restaurants

Big Grove Brewery in Downtown Des Moines offers complimentary meals to all veterans, active-duty service members, and Gold Star family members on Veterans Day. The brewery is also hosting a blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross from 10:30 a.m. onward, providing additional opportunities for community engagement.

Aspen Creek Grill joins the list of establishments honoring veterans by offering complimentary meals from a special menu from 11 a.m. until closing time on Veterans Day.

Coffee Shops and Quick Service

Several coffee shops and convenience stores in the Des Moines area provide free beverages to veterans and military personnel:

• 7-Eleven offers a free coffee or Big Gulp on Veterans Day
• Bruegger's Bagels provides a free medium hot or iced coffee with purchase
• Caribou Coffee gives free hot brewed coffee to veterans, active military members, and their spouses
• Casey's General Store offers free coffee from participating locations

Grocery Stores and Retailers

Hy-Vee stands out among grocery stores for its extensive Veterans Day recognition. The chain hosts its annual Veterans Day Breakfast at all Des Moines-area locations from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on November 11, 2024. This complimentary hot meal tradition began in 1999 and continues as a significant community event. At the Waukee location alone, approximately 600 free meals were served during the 2023 breakfast.

In addition to the breakfast, veterans and active-duty military members receive 15% off their grocery purchases at Hy-Vee for the remainder of Veterans Day. The discount supports the Hy-Vee Homefront initiative, which provides assistance to military families.

Attractions and Entertainment

Des Moines offers several attractions and entertainment venues that recognize veterans with free admission or special perks on Veterans Day and surrounding dates.

The Des Moines Botanical Garden provides complimentary general admission to all active and retired veterans on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This offers veterans an opportunity to enjoy the gardens and exhibits at no cost.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort, while not in Des Moines, is notable for offering free admission to active duty servicemembers and veterans from November 1-25, 2024. On November 11 specifically, servicemembers can receive a free American flag wristband that entitles the wearer to a 10% discount on food, beverage, and retail purchases; a second 6x8 photo free with purchase of the first photo; and two plays of carnival-style games for the price of one.

Main Event Entertainment offers 30 minutes of game play plus one entrée from a select menu to veterans and active duty servicemembers on Veterans Day. Valid military ID or proof of service is required for this offer.

Community Events and Special Programs

Beyond individual business offers, Des Moines hosts several community events specifically designed to honor veterans during Veterans Day week.

The Folds of Honor Iowa Cornhole Tournament takes place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at The Shop DSM Event Center. This competitive event features thirty teams in a double elimination format with prizes for top teams. The event includes Farm Boys BBQ, drinks, and college football on multiple screens, with proceeds supporting scholarships for children and spouses of Iowa's fallen or disabled military service members and first responders.

A special film screening presented by Vince Valdez, a lifelong West Des Moines resident, will highlight the contributions of veterans. The 23-minute film will be followed by a discussion with Valdez and a musical performance by singer-guitarist Karin Stein of Artes Latinas. This event offers a meaningful tribute through film and music to honor veterans.

For those interested in wellness activities, the Des Moines Public Library will host a Mindfulness Meditation session led by Erin Husmann, a certified instructor and Health Care Navigator for Primary Health Care's Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. The session on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, will include an overview of mindfulness meditation, a 20-minute practice, and a Q&A period.

Sports fans can attend the Iowa Wild Veterans Appreciation Night on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Wells Fargo Arena. The hockey game against the Texas Stars will feature specialty jerseys, a post-game auction benefiting the Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America, and a hat giveaway for the first 1,500 fans.

How to Access These Offers

To take advantage of Veterans Day freebies and discounts in Des Moines, military personnel should follow these guidelines:

Required Documentation

Most establishments require proof of military service or status. Veterans should bring a valid military ID card or honorable discharge papers. Active duty personnel should present their military ID. Some venues may also accept Veterans Administration cards or other official documentation.

Advance Preparation

Given the popularity of these offers, veterans are encouraged to call ahead to confirm participation, especially at restaurants. Some locations may have limited capacity or specific menu items available. Additionally, veterans should verify operating hours, as some offers may only be available during specific timeframes.

Planning Your Day

Veterans can maximize their benefits by planning a route that includes multiple participating establishments. Starting early with breakfast at Hy-Vee (6-10 a.m.) could be followed by visits to coffee shops offering free beverages, lunch at participating restaurants, and potentially an evening event.

Family Considerations

Some offers extend to family members or include a guest. Veterans should check specific policies, as they vary by establishment. For example, the Newseum in Washington D.C. allows one guest, while most local offers are limited to the veteran or active-duty member themselves.

Conclusion

Veterans Day in Des Moines presents numerous opportunities for military personnel and veterans to enjoy complimentary meals, discounted admission, and special events as a token of appreciation for their service. From the longstanding tradition of Hy-Vee's free breakfast to local restaurants offering complimentary meals and coffee shops providing free beverages, the city demonstrates its gratitude in numerous tangible ways.

The variety of options across different categories—dining, attractions, entertainment, and wellness—ensures that veterans with diverse interests can find meaningful ways to celebrate the day. By planning ahead and bringing appropriate documentation, veterans can fully participate in these community-wide expressions of gratitude.

As Veterans Day approaches, veterans are encouraged to verify current offerings with participating establishments, as details may change from year to year. The consistent theme across all these offers is the community's recognition of the sacrifices made by those who have served in the armed forces.

Sources

1. Des Moines Register - Free Veterans Day meals, discounts and special menus across the Des Moines metro in 2022
2. MOAA - Veterans Day discounts
3. 1430 KASI - Hy-Vee gives out free meals during annual Veterans Day breakfast
4. Downtown DSM Partnership - Honoring Veterans for Veterans Day in Downtown Des Moines