Happy Veterans Day!

Thank-you!

To All Our Military Men and Women

Past and Present

We Owe You Our Freedom!

FYI: Vets and their families:
The following establishments offer free services to honor Veterans' Day!

RESTAURANTS

1. Abuelo's Mexican Food Restaurant

The Veterans Day deals from Abuelo's vary by region, so check with your local restaurant before heading out. One example is a buy-one-get-one-free entree deal for all veterans and activspee military. Don't forget to bring your military I.D.

2. Applebees

All veterans and active duty military eat free from a limited menu at Applebee's on Nov. 11. Simply show proof of service or arrive wearing a uniform.

3. Golden Corral

For the 10th year in a row, Golden Corral Restaurants will offer their Military Appreciation Monday dinner. The event is scheduled this year from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 15. All personnel are welcome, including retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves.


4. McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants

For the 12th year running, participating restaurants in the national seafood chain offer a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu. Space is limited so online reservations are strongly recommended.


5. Outback Steakhouse

Veterans and active-duty military receive a free Bloomin' Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on Veterans Day at participating Outback Steakhouses.


6. Subway

Some Subway restaurants are distributing free six-inch subs to veterans or active-duty members on Veterans Day. Make sure you call ahead, however, as not all franchises are participating in this special event.


7. UNO Chicago Grill

Show up on Veterans Day in uniform, with a photo of yourself in uniform or with a military or veteran's I.D. and receive a free entree or individual pizza, with an entree or pizza purchase of equal or greater value.


MERCHANTS

8. Brides Across America

Bridal salons unite across America for the third year to give wedding gowns to qualified military brides. Each participating store prepares a number of gowns, most of which are samples and overstocks worth between $500 and $3,000. Dresses range in size from 4 to 22 and are given away on a first-come-first-served basis. Designers who support the cause include Vera Wang, Alfred Angelo, Carolina Herrera and many other major names in bridal couture.


9. The Dollar General

On Nov. 11, all veterans, active duty military, National Guard, Reserve, and their immediate families will receive a special 10-percent discount with a Veterans Day coupon. The coupon may be found in the Nov. 1 advertising circular in stores or by asking a Dollar General sales associate. Don't forget to keep an eye out for other Veterans Day coupons in your mail and local newspaper.


10. Foot Locker

U.S. Active Duty Military, National Guard, Reserves, veterans and their families with Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Cards receive a 20-percent discount every day of the year. That offer is good both online and at any store location, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports -- even on sale items.

11. Home Depot

The Home Depot offers a 10-percent discount (up to a $500 maximum) to all active military, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other veterans qualify for a 10-percent discount during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.


12. Lowe's

Lowe’s expanded its 10-percent military discount last February to a year-round offer for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees and disabled service members and their immediate families. All other veterans receive the 10-percent discount on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The discount is available on in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000. The offer can't be used on sales at Lowes.com, on previous sales or on sales of services or gift cards. You must present a valid military I.D. card to receive this special discount.

13. Sam's Club and Hugo Canes

The warehouse store will give away 36,000 collapsible Hugo canes on Veterans Day to military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Sam’s Club membership is not required but proof of service may be necessary. The cane normally retails for $29.99.


14. Sports Clips Haircuts

The chain salon for men of all ages is offering a free haircut to active military and veterans on Nov. 11 at participating Sports Clips locations.


ENTERTAINMENT

15. Battleship Cove

The world's largest naval-ship museum, located in Fall River, Mass., offers free admission and a special ceremony for veterans, active duty and reservists on Veterans Day.

16. Brevard Zoo

Located in Melbourne, Fla., Brevard Zoo will once again offer free admission to all active and retired military from Nov. 11 to 14. As part of Veterans Weekend, Elton John’s red player piano will be on exhibit, performing exclusive Elton John recordings with the artist's vocal performances faithfully reproduced. In the event any military person is currently on active duty and not in the county or country, the Zoo will give free admission to their spouse.

17. Colonial Williamsburg

Active-duty and immediate family members receive discounts to this living-history museum year round. Visit the MWR/ITT offices at your military installation to obtain an exclusive Military One-Day-Plus Pass, or receive 10-percent off any general-admission pass at the walk-up ticket windows. Call 1-800-HISTORY 1-800-HISTORY for more information

18. Historic Jamestown

Historic Jamestown, the original site of the 1607 James Fort and the 17th century city of Jamestown, salutes U.S. veterans, current armed forces members and their family members with free admission on Veterans Day. No I.D. is required.

19. National Parks and Public Lands

Admission is free on Veterans Day to everyone at all national parks and Bureau of Land Management public lands.

20. San Jacinto Museum of History

The San Jacinto Monument in Texas rises 570 feet above the battleground and stands as a memorial to the men who fought for Texas independence. As such, it's fitting for San Jacinto to honor all military personnel on Veterans Day by providing free admission to all its venues.

21. Sea World

Throughout 2010, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter any one of Anheuser-Busch's SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission.

22. Universal Studios Hollywood

"The Entertainment Capital of L.A." offers discount options for tour and attraction tickets to all armed-forces members all year long, including Veterans Day. Eligible members include retirees, Department of Defense personnel, members of the National Guard and Reserves, their dependents and all other base personnel.

23. Vicksburg National Military Park

The park at Port Hudson, La., commemorates the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg by offering free admission to everyone on Veterans Day. Over 1,340 monuments, a restored Union gunboat and National Cemetery mark the 16-mile tour road.


CEREMONIES

24. Alexandria (Va.) Black History Museum


Honor the African American men and women who fought and continue to fight for our country by attending the Veterans Day event that includes speakers, music and dramatic presentations. The event is free to all and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

25. Arlington National Cemetery

Those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country are recognized with a wreath-laying ceremony each year at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Nov. 11. Seating in the amphitheater is limited, so visitors should plan to arrive at least a half hour before the ceremony. The service begins at 11 a.m. The cemetery is located in Arlington, Va., across the Potomac from Washington, D.C. at the west end of the Memorial Bridge.

26. Fort Ward

A Union soldier in period uniform will lead free walking tours of Fort Ward in Alexandria, Va., at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 6. The hour-long tours introduce the history of the Defenses of Washington, the role of Fort Ward (a 19th-century fortification) and the troops who were stationed nearby during the Civil War.


27. Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens

Special Veterans Day activities include a free patriotic community concert by an all-veteran barbershop chorus at 11 a.m. "Martha Washington" also will conduct a free discussion about her work with veterans at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Little Theater. Finally, a wreath laying is scheduled at 2 p.m. at the tomb of George Washington. The wreath laying is included with regular Mount Vernon admission, although there is no entry fee active military and veterans on Veterans Day.

28. National Marine Corps Museum

Celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day with a ceremonial sword cake cutting at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 10. The Museum is located at 18900 Jefferson David Highway, Triangle, Va.

29. Navy Memorial

The Naval District of Washington will lay a wreath at the Lone Sailor Statue as 1 p.m. in a special commemoration on Veterans Day at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

30. The Smithsonian American History Museum

Historian Robert Gandt discusses "The Twilight Warriors," his tale of the pilots, Sailors, Marines and their Japanese adversaries who fought the battle for Okinawa -- the last and bloodiest sea and air engagement of WWII. The presentation begins at 3 p.m. on Veterans Day at the museum, located on the National Mall at 14th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

31. The Smithsonian American Indian Museum


Photojournalist Steven Clevenger of the Osage Tribe discusses his book "America's First Warriors: Native Americans and Iraq" at 2 p.m. on Veterans Day at 4th St. and Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. Clevenger spent three years documenting the experiences of Native American soldiers in the Iraq War.

32. Parades By City


VetFriends.com has created a state-by-state database of Veterans Day parades across the country. Search for your city or add your official Veterans Day parade to their listing.

33. Vietnam Veterans Memorial


The Veterans Day event at the Vietnam Wall features a color guard, speakers and a wreath-laying ceremony at 1 p.m. The Vietnam Memorial is located at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial at Constitution Ave. and Henry Bacon Dr. NW in Washington, D.C.

34. Vietnam Women's Memorial

Vietnam-era veterans and the children of veterans tell stories "in their own voices" about their experiences from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day. The Memorial is located next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Constitution Ave. and Henry Bacon Dr. NW, Washington, D.C.


35. World War II Memorial

A wreath laying ceremony is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Veterans Day at the WWII memorial, located at 17th St. between Constitution and Independence avenues NW, Washington, D.C.

(This list courtesy of the Coupon Sherpa!)