Jacksonville Nc Veterans Day 2025 Free Events Meals And Discounts For Service Members

Introduction

Veterans Day 2025 will be observed on Tuesday, November 11, and Jacksonville, North Carolina, has prepared a comprehensive schedule of events, discounts, and free offerings to honor military service members and veterans. The community celebration extends over two weekends, featuring parades, tournaments, memorial tours, and numerous complimentary services. This article provides a detailed overview of all freebies, discounts, and events available to veterans and active-duty service members in Jacksonville during the Veterans Day period.

Veterans Day Events in Jacksonville, NC

Jacksonville has organized a series of events to honor veterans throughout early November 2025. The celebration begins with the Veterans Day Parade hosted by Rolling Thunder Inc. Chapter NC-5, scheduled for Saturday, November 8. The parade will commence in front of Coastal Carolina Community College and proceed down Western Boulevard to Liberty Drive, providing a public opportunity for the community to show appreciation for military service.

On Tuesday, November 11, at 11 a.m., the Disabled American Veterans will host a Veterans Day observance at 300 Sherwood Road. This ceremony represents the official Veterans Day commemoration in the area.

The Military Basketball Association Tournament, taking place November 9-11, offers another opportunity for community engagement with military themes. Sponsored by the National Montford Point Marine Association and hosted by the Eastern North Carolina Marine Basketball Men's Varsity Basketball program at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex (100 Recreation Lane), the tournament promotes military athletes through basketball competition. All proceeds from the event will benefit an Onslow/Jacksonville charity, demonstrating the community's commitment to supporting veterans beyond the celebration period.

The city of Jacksonville has also initiated Operation Green Light, a symbolic campaign to show support for veterans. Free green lightbulbs are being distributed at events leading up to the week of November 11 and are available for pickup at city hall. Residents and businesses are encouraged to display these lights as a visible sign of support for veterans.

For those interested in more reflective activities, the Veterans Walk of Honor at 109 Montford Landing Road provides an opportunity to honor individual service members. Submissions for veterans are accepted throughout the year and are displayed on signs throughout the Lejeune Memorial Gardens. The deadline for submissions to be included in the 2025 display is October 24, 2025.

The Lejeune Memorial Gardens also offer self-guided tours featuring national memorials, including the largest 3-D Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Statue, the Montford Point Marine Memorial, and the second largest Vietnam Veteran Memorial in the United States, which lists all fallen service members' names in alphabetical order. QR codes at each site enable visitors to learn more about the military heritage commemorated at these locations.

Free Meals and Restaurant Discounts for Veterans

Numerous restaurants in Jacksonville and the surrounding area are offering free meals and special discounts to veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day 2025. These offers typically require valid military identification and may have specific restrictions regarding dine-in requirements or availability at individual locations.

Subway restaurants will offer a free six-inch sub to military veterans on Veterans Day. However, as Subway operates as a franchise system, this offer may not be available at all locations, and veterans should verify participation with their local restaurant.

Applebee's is providing a free meal from a limited menu, along with a $5 bounce-back gift card for a future visit. This offer is available for dine-in service only. Chili's is similarly offering a free meal, also restricted to dine-in customers.

For breakfast options, veterans can visit IHOP for free red, white, and blue pancakes, or Wendy's for a free breakfast combo. Sonic is offering half-priced shakes, while Zaxby's is providing a free sandwich meal. Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy a free donut from Dunkin or a free "Tall" hot or cold brew coffee from Starbucks.

Outback Steakhouse is offering free food specifically on Veterans Day, in addition to its standard 10% year-round military discount. As with other offers, this is available for dine-in service only.

Beyond Jacksonville, several restaurant chains are extending special offers to veterans on Veterans Day. Buffalo Wild Wings will provide 10 free boneless wings and fries to veterans and active-duty service members with valid ID, available for both dine-in and carryout. Texas Roadhouse is offering a free meal voucher at participating locations, redeemable in-restaurant or for carry-out through May 30, 2026. Chipotle will provide a second entrée for free with the purchase of one, applicable to bowls, burritos, salads, and taco entrees, with the promotion running from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time on November 11.

Retail and Service Discounts for Veterans

In addition to complimentary meals, numerous retailers and service providers are offering special discounts to military personnel and veterans during the Veterans Day period. These discounts recognize service members' contributions and provide opportunities for savings on various products and services.

Target is extending a 10% military discount through November 11 to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. This discount can be applied to two separate transactions and is available both in-store and online, providing flexibility for shoppers.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is offering various deals, including a 10 cents discount on every gallon of gas at their fuel locations, which can provide significant savings for service members who regularly use these facilities.

Other retailers providing special Veterans Day discounts include: - Apple: 10% off select products - Bed Bath & Beyond: 25% off select products - Foot Locker: 10% off select products - Walgreens: 20% off select products in store only

Service providers are also recognizing veterans with special offers. Sports Clips and Great Clips are both providing free haircuts to veterans on Veterans Day, a practical and appreciated service for many service members.

For those in need of automotive supplies, Advance Auto Parts is offering 10% off products in store, while Apple is extending 10% discounts on select products. These offers provide opportunities for veterans to save on essential items and services.

Free Admission Offers at Attractions

Several attractions across the country are offering free admission to veterans and active-duty service members on or around Veterans Day 2025. While not all are in Jacksonville specifically, these opportunities may be of interest to veterans in the area or those planning to travel.

Colonial Williamsburg is providing free admission to military visitors on Veterans Day. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville will honor active-duty and retired armed services members with free admission on November 11, and will also extend free admission for up to three immediate family members, allowing veterans to share the experience with their loved ones.

George Washington's Mount Vernon in Virginia is offering free admission to all active duty, former, or retired military personnel on Veterans Day. While free tickets do not extend to service members' family members or guests, the historical site provides a meaningful way for veterans to reflect on military heritage.

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is offering complimentary general admission to active and retired veterans on Saturday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing an earlier opportunity for veterans to be honored.

The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee will provide free admission to veterans and active-duty military, along with one adult guest and up to four children, on Tuesday, November 11. This offer allows veterans to share the experience with their families in a setting that celebrates American military history.

Support Services for Veterans in Jacksonville

Beyond the celebratory events and discounts, Jacksonville offers ongoing support services for veterans through the Jacksonville Vet Center. Located at 221 Memorial Drive, the center provides confidential help for veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting.

The Vet Center's services include counseling for needs such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). The center can also connect veterans with additional support through the VA and community resources.

The center maintains a commitment to confidentiality, ensuring that information about veterans or the services they receive is not shared without permission, except in life-threatening situations. Veterans' records cannot be accessed by other VA offices, the Defense Department, military units, or community providers, providing a safe space for seeking help.

The Jacksonville Vet Center offers a range of services, from talk therapy to recreational activities. The team works with veterans to identify their goals and develop plans to meet them, helping veterans and their families build meaningful connections to improve their quality of life.

For veterans interested in group activities, the center hosts a mindful walking group every Thursday at a local park in the Jacksonville area. Veterans and service members are welcome to join for relaxing walks, and more information can be obtained by calling 910-577-1100.

The center also provides counseling services at Cape Fear Community College, making support more accessible to student veterans. Services include couples and family counseling to assist with the transition from military to civilian life. The center's counselors can provide education to family members regarding a veteran's military experience, helping to improve understanding and communication within families.

Specific programs include a thriving couples group that meets Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m., designed to support relationships through the challenges of military transition. The center emphasizes that its services are available to family members when their participation would support the growth and goals of the veteran or service member, with the philosophy that "if you consider them family, so do we."

The Jacksonville Vet Center operates with regular hours from Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is closed on weekends. However, the center notes that it has non-traditional hours that change periodically based on community needs, and veterans are encouraged to call for current information. For those needing help after hours, the center's call center is available 24/7.

Conclusion

Jacksonville, NC, has prepared a comprehensive array of events, discounts, and services to honor veterans during the 2025 Veterans Day period. From the parade on November 8 to the observance on November 11, the community demonstrates its appreciation through both celebratory events and practical support. Veterans can enjoy free meals at numerous restaurants, discounts at retail stores, and free admission at various attractions. Beyond the holiday, the Jacksonville Vet Center provides ongoing counseling and support services to help veterans and their families navigate the transition to civilian life. These offerings collectively represent a meaningful acknowledgment of service and sacrifice by the Jacksonville community.

Sources

1. Jacksonville Veterans Day Events
2. Veterans Tribute NC
3. Jacksonville NC Vet Center
4. Local Veterans Day Events and Discounts
5. Veterans Day Military Discounts
6. 2025 Veterans Day Deals and Discounts