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Veterans Day: 50 restaurant, retail and entertainment freebies for vets and active military

Veterans Day is today, and many businesses are offering freebies, discounts and deals for veterans and active duty service members in honor of the many brave sacrifices they've made for this country. 

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Rashid Umar Abbasi/Reuters/File
A franchise sign sits above a Chick-fil-A freestanding restaurant after its grand opening in Midtown, New York. Chick-Fil-A is one of dozens of restaurants and retailers offering freebies and discounts to military personnel for Veterans Day on Wedesday, Nov. 11, 2015.

Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, and many businesses are offering freebies, discounts and deals for veterans and active duty service members in honor of the many brave sacrifices they've made for this country. 

Remember, in order to receive these offers you may need to provide proof of military service. This can be done in the following ways:

  • Wear your uniform
  • Bring a picture of yourself in uniform
  • Present a US Uniform Services ID card
  • Present a current Leave and Earnings Statement
  • Present a Veterans Organization Card (American Legion or VFW)
  • Present discharge paperwork

Many establishments won't be very strict on this, but it's always best to be prepared. It's also a good idea to call ahead before redeeming a free meal or discount on Veterans Day.

Food & Beverage Freebies

Applebee’s -- Free special menu for veterans and active duty service members (including things like chicken penne, burgers and double crunch shrimp). Valid 11/11.

Bar Louie -- Free app or entree on 11/10 and 11/11 for veterans and active military.

Bob Evans -- Free breakfast all day on 11/11 for veterans and active duty military members.

California Pizza Kitchen -- Vets and active duty military get to choose a free meal from a special Veteran's Day menu. Valid on 11/11.

Carraba’s -- Free app for vets and active duty military from 11/9 to 11/15.

Cheeseburger in Paradise -- Vets and active duty military members get a free All American Burger and fries on 11/11.

Chick-fil-A -- Active or retired military and their families can receive either a Chicken Sandwich meal, a Nugget Meal, or a Kid's Nugget Meal for free on 11/11.

Chili’s Restaurant -- Free lunch combo or choice of a dinner meal from a special menu for retired and active duty military members on 11/11.

Claim Jumper — Complimentary meal for veterans on 11/9.

Country Cookin -- Free meal for veterans on 11/10.

Cracker Barrel -- Free Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake dessert for veterans during lunch and dinner on 11/11.

Denny’s -- Vets and active duty military get a free Build-Your-Own Grand Slam Meal. from 5 a.m. to noon on 11/11.

Einstein Bros Bagels -- Free coffee for vets and active duty military at participating locations.

Famous Dave’s — Vets get a free meal at participating locations on 11/11 between 11a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Friendly’s -- Veterans and active military can get a gree Big-Two-Do combo for breakfast or a free All American Burger with fries and a drink for lunch and dinner on 11/11 at participating locations.

Golden Corral -- Free "thank you" dinner for anyone who has served in the U.S. Military on 11/11.

Green Mill -- Free menu item for lunch or dinner for veterans and active duty military on 11/11.

Hooters -- Vets and active duty military can pick a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu.

IHOP-- Free red, white and blue pancakes to veterans and active duty military on 11/11. Valid form 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Krispy Kreme — Vets and active duty military get a free small coffee and donut at participating locations on 11/11.

Little Caesars -- Free Hot-N-Ready lunch combo for veterans on 11/11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

LongHorn Steakhouse -- Free Texas Tonion and non-alcoholic beverage for vets and active duty military on 11/11.

Menchie’s — All veterans and current service members will receive a free 6 oz. frozen yogurt on Veterans Day.

On the Border -- Free Create-Your-Own Combo for all vets and active military members on 11/11. See link for particpating locations.

Olive Garden -- Free meal for veterans and active duty military from a special menu on 11/11., and family members get 10 percent off their meals.

Outback Steakhouse — Free Bloomin’ Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage for all active duty military and vets, and 15 percent off purchases from 11/15 to 12/31.

Red Lobster -- Free app or dessert for vets and active duty military between 11/9 and 11/12 at participating locations.

Red Robin -- Free Red's Tavern Double Burger with bottomless steak fries for all vets and active duty service members on 11/11.

Ruby Tuesday’s — Free appetizer for vets on 11/11.

Sheetz -- Free 6-inch turkey sub, regular fountain drink AND a complimentary carwash for vets and active duty militancy on 11/11.

Shoney’s -- Free All American Burger for Veteran's Day for all active duty or retired military members who present this coupon on 11/11.

Sizzler -- Free lunch (from a limited menu) and a beverage for vets on 11/11 until 4 p.m.

Spaghetti Warehouse -- BOGO entrees for EVERYONE (not just veterans) 11/9- to 11/11 when you present this coupon.

Starbucks -- Free tall brewed coffee for active duty military, veterans and their spouses at participating stores on 11/11.

TGI Fridays -- Free lunch for vets and active duty military from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 11/11.

Twin Peaks -- Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a free menu item on 11/11.

UNO’s Pizza — Vets and active duty service members get a free individual pizza or  entrée with the purchase of a pizza or entrée of equal or greater value on 11/11.

White Castle -- Vets and active duty military members get a

Wienerschnitzel -- Vets and active duty military get a free small Pepsi and a chili dog on 11/11.

Retail Freebies

Home Depot -- 10 percent discount for active duty, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families get a 10 percent discount off purchases up to $2,000.

La-Z-Boy -- Active and retired military personnel can take an additional 5 percent off from now until 11/11.

Lowe’s -- 10 percent discount for active duty, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families get a 10 percent discount off purchases up to $5,000.

Entertainment Freebies

Knotts Berry Farm -- Veterans and active military plus one guest get free admission and up to six additional discounted tickets between 11/1 to 12/20.

Legoland -- Vets, active duty military and their families get between a 25 and 37 percent discount and second day free admission through 12/31.

National Parks -- ALL of the country's national parks are free for anyone to enter on 11/11.

Old Town Trolley Tours -- Free admission for veterans on 11/11.

SeaWorld San Diego -- Free single day admission ticket for vets and up to three family members to SeaWorld San Diego through 12/31. You must get these tickets online, so follow this link.

USS Midway — Free admission to veterans and their families 11/11, featuring food, live entertainment, KidzZone activities, prizes and more.

This article first appeared in Brad's Deals.

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