Veterans Day, or Remembrance Day as our European and Australian friends call it, is celebrated on November 11. In the US, the holiday originated in May 1938 as “Armistice Day,” a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I. In 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars. Trivia time: Veterans Day is November 11 worldwide because a truce between the Allied Nations and Germany went into effect, causing a ceasefire at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918. To anyone out there that’s going to be on a game show one day and now knows this answer, you’re welcome.
Each year, companies will do something to acknowledge the holiday, whether it’s special sales or doing something to specifically honor service members and veterans. This year, a lot of chain restaurants nationwide have decided to pay tribute to veterans and active-duty service members via free food. Some of these restaurants include Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’, Outback, and White Castle. Here’s a full list of restaurants honoring Veterans Day this year:
Bonefish Grill: With an active military ID, service members can grab a free order of bang bang shrimp with a soft drink.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Past and present military members can enjoy 10 free boneless wings and fries on Saturday.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Enjoy a complimentary appetizer or dessert with a soft beverage on Nov. 11.
Chili’s: Veterans and active military personnel score free entrées at the chain restaurant such as chicken bacon ranch quesadillas, oldtimer cheese burger or chili and salad.
Dunkin’: To thank past and present service people, the coffee chain is handing out free donuts on Nov. 11.
Krispy Kreme: For a free donut and small hot or iced coffee, veterans and active military members should head over to the donut spot.
Red Lobster: Guests with a valid military ID can score a meal voucher from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an entrée specific to the holiday: veterans shrimp and chips.
Outback: The steakhouse is offering military personnel a free bloomin’ onion and beverage with the purchase of an entrée.
Peet’s Coffee: Active and former military can get a free small coffee or tea on Veterans Day.
Playa Bowls: For a free smoothie bowl, service members can stop by the smoothie shops with their military IDs.
Starbucks: The coffee spot is offering a free tall hot or iced coffee for veterans, military service members and military spouses. Plus, Starbucks is donating $100,000 to Team Red, White & Blue and Travis Manion Foundation, respectively.
Smoothie King: Sip on your USA spirit with the choice of red (cherry x-treme), white (slim-n-trim vanilla), and blue (blueberry heaven) complimentary smoothies for past and present military members.
Sonic: Customers can grab $0.99 Fritos chili cheese jr. wraps on Nov. 11.
White Castle: On Saturday, all veterans and active-duty service members can receive free individual combo meals or a breakfast combo meal.
I think it’s really nice that these restaurants are doing something to honor those who have served or are serving our country. Sometimes, I have a tough time distinguishing between the military industrial complex, war profiteers, and members of a certain political party that think they own patriotism. Service members don’t fall in any of those categories and put their lives at stake. The brave men and women who enlist in the military don’t get enough support from the government and deserve more than a free bloomin’ onion or donut. To all of our current and former service members, thank you.
My mother (French) was born on November 11th and as a kid didn’t see anything weird about always having a day off school, parades, etc. on her birthday. Once she got a bit older she started wondering why other people didn’t get the same on their birthday and got to the bottom of it.
11-11 at 11:11 a.m. is also the start of the Carnival season (which ends with Ash Wednesday in February) for those who celebrate it. And it’s a sort of Halloween-like evening in certain parts of Europe for St Martin’s.
Veterans: I don’t remember any local businesses helping veterans like that when I still lived in the US. In fact, veterans’ issues weren’t as well understood back then. I’m glad that’s changing, and I really like the idea of restaurants offering people who served a special free meal!
Thanks for this post. My husband never wants to ‘take advantage’ of his veteran status but I’m constantly reminding him that he has rightfully earned that status and if companies are looking to recognize that, he shouldn’t shy away from it. He doesn’t like talking about his wartime experience and is humble about his service – but if he can get a free donut or wings this weekend I know he’ll appreciate them even more.
Don’t forget Golden Corral!!. They offer a free buffet & drink on Veterans day!
“Service members don’t fall in any of those categories” <333333