Thanks, VETS!

I verified the below lists as best I could through a web check.  Still a good idea to call ahead if you’re interested in taking advantage of any of the offers. I’ll be keeping a link to this on all posts from now through Veteran’s Day, 2011.  H/T to Tom & John:

The stores and restaurants honoring Veterans this year.  A perk you have earned with your dedicated service to our Nation and our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines!

 Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

Restaurants

Abuelo’s Mexican Food – Abuelo’s offerings vary by region, be sure to call ahead to see what the discounts or freebies are included.

Applebees – All veterans and active duty military eat free from a limited menu at Applebee’s on Veterans Day.

Chili’s — Veterans and active duty dine for free from a special limited six item menu on Veterans Day.

Golden Corral — Golden Corral Restaurants’ Military Appreciation Monday free dinner will be available on November 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.

Hooters — All Veterans and active duty eat free. The free entrees must be selected from a special Veterans Day menu.

Krispy Kreme – All active-duty, retirees & veterans get a free doughnut on Veterans Day. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is par-ticipating.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants — Participating McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants offer a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu on a space available basis, online reservations are highly recommended.

Outback Steakhouse — Veterans and active-duty military get a complimentary Bloomin’ Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on Veterans Day.

Subway — Free six inch subs.

UNO Chicago Grill — UNO is offering a Buy One Get One free offer to Service members or Veterans with a military or veteran I.D. or in uniform or with a photo of themselves in uniform. The Veterans Day BOGO offer includes a free entree or individual pizza, with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value.

Texas Roadhouse – Free meal from opening until 4pm. on Veterans Day. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Veterans and Service members Buy one get one free from Nov 11–14. Contact your nearest location for more details on their Veterans Day BOGO offer.

Retail

The Dollar General — Veterans, Service members (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families will receive a 10-percent discount with a Veterans Day coupon. The coupon may be found in store circular ads or by asking a sales associate.

Home Depot — Offers a 10 percent discount to all Veterans during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

Lowe’s — All veterans receive the 10-percent discount on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The offer is available in stores only and is limited to in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000.

Sam’s Club — Sam’s give away 36,000 collapsible Hugo Canes on Veterans Day to military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Sam’s Club will require membership for this offer, but proof of service may be necessary.

Amazon.com – Free ―Veterans Day Honor MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Cabela’s Outdoor Store – Offers their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel November 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%, depending on the item.

Build-a-Bear Workshop – Members of the armed services including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps, will receive a 20% discount November 11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Fashion Bug – 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse’s military ID.

Sports Clips Haircuts – The men’s hair salon chain is offering a free haircut to active military and veterans on Veterans Day.

Foot Locker — Veterans, Service members (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families with a Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Card 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.

Events

• Free Stay at B&B’s and Inns Around the Country (November 10, 2011)
• Free Entrance to National Parks (November 11-13, 2011)
• Free Hugo Canes for Veterans from Sam’s Club (November 9-11, 2011)
• Free admission to Brevard Zoo (FL) (even to spouses whose loved one is deployed November 11-13, 2011)
• Free Veterans Day Concert from The San Antonio Symphony and the United States Air Force Band of the West (November 13, 2011)
• Free admission to the Des Moines Botanical Center (November 11, 2011)
• Free Colonial Williamsburg weekend-long admission tickets (active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their immediate dependants November 11-13, 2011)
• Free event at Pembroke Pines (November 11, 2011)
• Free admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific (November 11, 2011)

MILITARY DISCOUNTS – All the below businesses offer military discounts; all you have to do is ask.

Restaurants

Arby’s · A&W · Back Yard Burgers · Burger King · Captain D’s · Chick-Fil-A · Cotton Patch · Denny’s · Dunkin’ Donuts · Farmers Boy · IHOP (20 percent discount with military identification) · Java Café · KFC · Long John Silver · Pancho’s Mexican Buffet · Pizza Hut · Quizno’s · Sizzler · Sonic · Taco Bell · Whataburger

Entertainment

Blockbuster · Movie theaters · Ripley’s attractions and museums · Professional Sports teams

Products

Apple Computers · AutoZone · Barnhill’s · Bass Pro Shop · Bath and Body Works · Big 10 Tires · The Buckle · Champs Sports · Copeland’s Sports · Dell · The Discovery Channel Store · Dress Barn · The Finish Line · Foot Action · Footlocker · Gadzooks · GNC · Goody’s · Great Party· Happy Harry’s ·Home Depot · Hot Topic · Jockey · Lerner ·Lowe’s · Michael’s · NAPA Auto Parts · New York & Company · Pac Sun · Payless Shoes · Play It Again Sports · Pure Beauty · Sally Beauty Supply · Spencer’s Gifts · Suncoast · Timberland Outlets · Wilson’s Leather

Services

AT&T · California Cryobank · Geico · Jiffy Lube · Meineke · Sears Portrait Studio

Cell Phone Service Discount

All Federal employees are able to get a 15% discount on their personal cell phones by calling their carrier and mentioning the “Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 – Discount to Federal Employees Past and Present.” You will need to know the military member’s supervisor’s name, phone number, and full address, so that his/her military status can be verified. Use the following contact numbers:

Cingular – 800-319-6393

Sprint – 877-812-1223

T-Mobile – 866-646-4688

Nextel – 800-639-6111

Verizon – 800-865-1825