Georgia Freebies Veterans Offers Military Benefits And Library Access

Georgia residents and visitors have access to numerous freebies and discounts throughout the year, particularly for military personnel and veterans. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the available offers, including Veterans Day specials, ongoing military benefits, and free access to attractions through library programs.

Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts

Veterans Day offers in Georgia provide numerous complimentary meals and discounts to honor military service. These offers are typically available on November 11th each year and require proof of military service through identification or uniforms.

Restaurant Offers

Numerous restaurant chains across Georgia provide complimentary meals to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day:

• Smoothie King offers a free 20-ounce smoothie between noon and 3 p.m. The smoothie comes in three patriotic colors representing the American flag: red (Strawberry X-Treme), white (Slim-N-Trim Vanilla), and blue (Blueberry Heaven).

• Applebee's provides veterans with one free entrée from a select menu.

• Buffalo's Cafe offers 25% off meals for veterans and active-duty military when dining in, with alcohol not included. Military ID or uniform is required.

• California Pizza Kitchen offers a complimentary entrée and drink for veterans and active military, dine-in only.

• Chicken Salad Chick provides a free Chick Meal for veterans and active-duty military with valid ID or uniform.

• Chili's offers a complimentary dine-in meal from a special menu for veterans and active-duty military.

• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a free Sunrise Pancake Special for veterans and active service members.

• Denny's offers a free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to closing.

• Dantanna's provides 50% off food orders for lunch or dinner on Veterans Day.

• Fazoli's offers free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce when dining in with code VET25. Valid military ID or uniform is required.

• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers provides a meal card for a free combo meal, valid through December 31, 2024.

• Hooter's offers one free menu item with drink purchase for veterans, including wings or sandwiches.

• IHOP provides a free pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with 20% off other menu items.

• Olive Garden offers a free entrée for veterans and active-duty military with valid ID.

• Outback Steakhouse provides a free Aussie 3-course meal for veterans and active service members, plus a year-round 10% Heroes Discount.

• Starbucks offers a free tall hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, military members, and spouses.

• Texas Roadhouse provides a free meal voucher for veterans and military, valid for dine-in or carry-out until May 30, 2026.

• Twin Peaks offers complimentary lunch for veterans on Veterans Day, with an optional donation to Tunnel to Towers providing a $5 discount card.

• Huddle House provides veterans with a free MVP Breakfast Platter.

• Wendy's offers a free breakfast combo.

• Puttshack provides veterans and active military members with a 10% discount on meals and non-alcoholic beverages. This discount is available year-round to all who have served, including police officers and firefighters.

• TWO urban licks offers veterans 20% off their food order on Veterans Day.

Entertainment and Attraction Discounts

Several Georgia attractions offer free admission or discounts for military personnel:

• Georgia Aquarium provides free admission to current and former U.S. military personnel on select days throughout the year, including Veterans Day.

• Red's Beer Garden donates 10% of all hot dog sales to the Wounded Warrior Project on Veterans Day.

Shopping Discounts

• Publix offers veterans, active military personnel, and their families a 10% discount on groceries on November 11th. The offer is valid for in-store purchases only.

Ongoing Military Benefits in Georgia

Beyond Veterans Day, Georgia offers several ongoing benefits and free services for military personnel and veterans:

Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Georgia provides special licensing options for military personnel and veterans:

• One-Time Veterans License: This free license includes hunting, big game, Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp, salt and freshwater fishing, alligator hunting, and mountain trout licenses. It is valid for one year from the date of issue.

Eligibility requirements for the One-Time Veterans License include: - Has not previously received this license - Served on federal active duty for 90 or more days - Discharge date is July 1, 2005, or later - Current Georgia resident

Applicants born after January 1, 1961, who have not completed a hunter education course are only eligible for a One-Time Veterans Fishing License.

Application requires: - Copy of DD214 - Hunter safety course completion certificate (not required for fishing only) - Current Georgia driver's license or ID card

Completed applications should be mailed to: DNR – LBRU - Veterans 2605 U.S. Highway 278 SE Social Circle, GA 30025

• Military and Veterans Lifetime Sportsman's License: Eligible service members and veterans can purchase a Georgia Lifetime Sportsman's License at a reduced rate of $603, which includes a $3 transaction fee.

Driver's License Benefits

Georgia offers several driver's license benefits for military personnel and veterans:

• Grace Period for Expired Licenses: Service members can drive in Georgia on an expired Georgia driver's license for six months after the date they are discharged or reassigned back into the state. They are exempt from being cited for driving with an expired license. If cited, a copy of the official military orders or a written verification signed by their commanding officer must be brought to a Customer Service Center, where a waiver will be issued.

• Free Honorary Georgia Driver's License for Spouses: The Georgia Department of Driver's Services (DDS) offers a free honorary version of a Georgia driver's license for eligible spouses or surviving spouses of veterans.

Eligibility requirements include: - Being a Georgia resident - Being the spouse of a veteran whose disabilities prevent them from operating a motor vehicle - Being an unremarried surviving spouse of a deceased veteran

Application process: 1. Take proof of the veteran spouse's qualifying service, Georgia residency, and verification of the veteran's disabilities (or a copy of the veteran's death certificate) to a Georgia Department of Veterans Service Veteran Field Service Office for verification. 2. A service officer will verify eligibility and issue a completed Georgia DDS, Certificate of Eligibility for Veterans, Surviving Spouses and Allies Driver's License/ID Card. 3. The spouse must then take the completed Certificate of Eligibility and all required documents to a DDS office to apply.

License Plate Options

Georgia offers special license plates to honor military service:

• Special Military and Veterans License Plates: Georgia offers 186 distinctive license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, veterans, retired service members, and certain family members. All Special Veterans license plates are free for one vehicle. One additional set of plates may be purchased by paying the manufacturing fee and the annual registration fee.

To apply, applicants must: 1. Complete a Georgia Department of Revenue, Request for Manufacture of a Special Veteran License Plate Form 2. Provide official documentation (listed on the application) as proof of eligibility at a Georgia County Tag Office

• Georgia Army Medal of Honor License Plate: Recipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible for a free set of Georgia Medal of Honor license plates.

Georgia Library Experience Passes

Georgia's public library system offers free access to numerous attractions through its Experience Passes program. With a free library card, residents can check out passes for free entry to various destinations around the state.

The program includes: - Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites - Center for Puppetry Arts - And many other destinations offering enriching activities from museums to live theatre to the great outdoors

According to the program, if a group of four uses all of the Experience Passes, they would save more than $1,100 on admissions, tickets, and parking. The library card serves as a ticket to some of Georgia's best attractions, with options available in every corner of the state.

Conclusion

Georgia offers numerous freebies and benefits for residents, with special considerations for military personnel and veterans. These include complimentary meals at restaurants on Veterans Day, free access to attractions, special hunting and fishing licenses, driver's license benefits, and discounted or free license plates. Additionally, the library Experience Passes program provides free admission to numerous attractions throughout the state.

For those eligible, these offers provide significant savings and opportunities to experience Georgia's attractions and dining options at no cost. Military personnel and veterans should take advantage of these benefits as tokens of appreciation for their service, while all residents can benefit from the library's free access program to explore Georgia's cultural and natural resources.

Sources

1. Where are Veterans Day deals in Georgia? How to get free pancakes, coffee, burgers and more
2. Here's where to find Veterans Day deals and freebies in metro Atlanta
3. Georgia Military and Veteran Benefits
4. Georgia Library Experience Passes