Freebies, Discounts Offered To Veterans, Military On Veterans Day

FLORIDA — In recognition of Veterans Day and to honor those who have served and are serving, many businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues offer freebies or discounts to veterans.

Florida State Parks

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will continue a longstanding tradition of offering free admission to Florida State Parks for all visitors on Veterans Day Thursday.

“I salute all those who have sacrificed to protect our freedoms and way of life,” DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton said. “Florida's beautiful state parks provide an abundance of opportunities for reflection and recreation. I hope everyone enjoys Veterans Day in their favorite state park, and that we all take the opportunity to thank our veterans for their service.”

Additionally, veterans enjoy a year-round 25 percent discount on annual entrance passes to Florida State Parks. Veterans who have service-related injuries, as well as surviving spouses and parents of veterans who died in combat, also receive a free lifetime pass that waives the entry fee to all Florida State Parks.

Approximately 12 percent of the people employed by DEP’s Division of Recreation and Parks are veterans of the U.S. armed forces, working in a range of jobs from park managers to biologists.

“The Florida Park Service welcomes our nation’s veterans as visitors, volunteers and staff,” Eric Draper, director of Florida State Parks, said. “We are proud to offer free admission to our award-winning state parks in celebration of Veterans Day.”

Florida State Parks offer several remembrances to celebrate the nation’s service members.

Among them are:

• The Three Servicemen Statue at Orman House Historic State Park in Apalachicola, a bronze replica of the Vietnam Memorial statue in Washington, D.C.
• Guided tours at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West, which played an important role in both the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.
• There will be a “History of the American Soldier” event at Fort Clinch State Park in Fernandina Beach on Saturday, Nov. 13, recounting each major military conflict in the history of the United States.

The free admission offer does not include the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. All other use fees, such as overnight accommodations, will be charged as usual on Nov. 11. Click Florida State Parks appreciates veterans.

Entertainment Venues

• In honor of Veterans Day, veterans and first responders will receive free appreciation admission to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, Nov. 8-14.

Veterans and first responders will also receive 20 percent off on their concession purchases.

Guests eligible for this Appreciation Admission Ticket may also receive free admission for one additional guest and 15 percent off for up to four other guests when purchasing at the ticket window on-site or by making reservations. Click here.

• Bok Tower in Lake Wales will offer free admission to active, retired and disabled veterans with valid IDs. This is included with general admission or membership on Nov. 11.
• The Warbird Air Museum in Titusville will offer free admission to veterans Nov. 14-15.
• Kennedy Space Center in Merritt will offer free admission on Nov. 11 for military veterans, active military, reserve members and military retirees. Up to three guests can get a 50 percent admission discount. Proof of military ID or discharge, such as Form DD214, is required.
• Zoo Miami will offer free admission to all veteran, active and reserve U.S. military personnel with appropriate military IDs on Nov. 11. Up to six guests can get 50 percent off admission.
• FantasyWorld Resort in Kissimmee will give active military members and military veterans a discount on a two-night minimum stay in November.
• Florida Aquarium will offer veterans and members of the military a complimentary admission ticket with the purchase of a general admission ticket. The offer is valid for any active-duty, veteran, retired or drilling reservist, National Guardsmen or honorably/medically discharged service member with a valid U.S. Military ID or DD Form 214.
• The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg will offer complimentary admission to veterans and active-duty military members, plus one guest, on Nov. 11 with a valid ID.
• Naples Botanical Garden in Naples will give free admission to the garden to active military and veterans Thursday.
• Smugglers Cove Golf in Bradenton, Fort Myers, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach and Sarasota will give veterans a free game on Nov. 11.
• The History Center in Orlando will give veterans free admission to the museum on Nov. 11.
• The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg will give free museum admission to active military and veterans in honor of Veterans Day when they show their military IDs.
• Crayola Experience in Orlando offers military free admission on Veterans Day when they bring valid IDs. Crayola Experience is located at the Florida Mall. Military, police, firefighters and EMTs can get free bronze passes that include a variety of discounts.
• United Skates in Tampa offers free admission for active and veteran military personnel with a valid military ID on Nov. 11. Up to four people can get free admission as a group.
• Victory Casino Cruise in Port Canaveral will offers veterans a free cruise on Veterans Day.
• Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando will offer free admission to military veterans and current military on Nov. 11.

Restaurants

• Metro Diner is offering 50 percent off to active and retired military with a valid military ID on Veterans Day Thursday and 10 percent off year round. To find your nearest diner or to place your online order for to-go, click here.
• World of Beer Bar & Kitchen will pay homage to veterans Thursday. All veterans and current servicemen and servicewomen will enjoy $5 off their bill at the more than 40 World of Beer locations across the country. This offer can be redeemed by presenting a military ID, VA card or proof of service. To find the closest World of Beer, click here.
• Wayback Burgers will salute military heroes this Veterans Day by donating 10 percent of sales to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Thursday. All day long, guests can order on the Wayback Burgers app or order directly through their website, with a portion of proceeds benefiting local veterans.
• American Social will offer 50 percent off checks for veterans and their families all day Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill is offering all service members, veterans and first responders 10 percent off any visit to their local restaurant this Veterans Day and year-round with a valid ID.
• Joella’s Hot Chicken will honor America’s veterans, active-duty military and reserves on Veterans Day with a complimentary meal consisting of two fried or grilled tenders, a Southern side, a dippin’ sauce and a drink. There is no coupon required to participate.

Veterans and military personnel who visit will need to present proof of service to receive their complimentary meal on Veterans Day.

Joella’s also offers veterans and military personnel 10 percent off any meal every day at each location.

Joella’s Hot Chicken
10150 Ulmerton Road, Largo

Joella’s Hot Chicken
7893 113th St., Seminole

Joella’s Hot Chicken
6531 Lake Andrew Drive, Melbourne

• Barnes & Noble Cafés across the country will be offering a free cup of tall, freshly-brewed hot or iced coffee or tea to all U.S. military and veterans on Veterans Day.
• Bonefish Grill is honoring all service members, veterans and first responders by offering a Heroes Discount offering 10 percent off checks all day, every day with a valid ID.
• Bob Evans Restaurant is providing a meal to veterans and active-duty military. Enjoy a free special menu on Nov. 11.
• Veteran and active-duty guests are invited to California Pizza Kitchen to enjoy a complimentary entree and beverage when they dine in. Plus, all veterans that dine in will receive a BOGO offer that is valid from Nov. 12 through Nov. 20.
• Continuing a long-standing tradition of honoring servicemen and women, Denny’s is once again offering a complimentary Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast to all active, inactive and retired military personnel.
• Thanking veterans with a meal all day on Nov. 11, Famous Dave’s BBQ is offering one free Georgia chopped pork sandwich plus one side to all military personnel for either dine-in or to-go or ordering online (using the code “VETERAN”).
• U.S. active duty personnel and veterans get a Lucille’s original pulled pork sandwich and one side on dine-in and takeout orders on Veterans Day.
• Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Bloomin’ Onion and Coca Cola product to all veterans and active military on Thursday.
• On Thursday, veterans and active-duty military can receive a free appetizer or dessert while dining in at a local Red Lobster.
• As a Red Robin Royalty member, veterans and active military will have a free Tavern Double Burger with bottomless steak fries through Nov. 14, automatically uploaded to their dashboard.
• In honor of Veterans Day, Yard House is offering veterans and active-duty military a complimentary appetizer. The free appetizer is dine-in only and no purchase is necessary.
• Veterans receive 10 percent off any visit to Carrabba’s on Veterans Day and year-round.
• On Veterans Day (and year-round), El Pollo Loco offers a 15 percent discount (maximum value of $1.50) to those who serve the community, which includes police officers, firefighters, EMTs, federal law enforcement agents and military personnel.
• Veteran and active-duty service members can enjoy 10 percent off on purchases at Luna Grill on Veterans Day and all year round.
• Texas de Brazil offers 20 percent off on Veterans Day (and year-round) on dinner and lunch prices (salad area also) for service members.
• Atlas Restaurant Group in Boca Raton will offer a 50 percent discount for military veterans and active military on Nov. 11. The restaurants in Boca Raton include Loch Bar.
• Bar Chinchilla in St. Petersburg is offering all veterans a free glass of beer or wine on Nov. 11.
• Ker’s WingHouse Bar and Grill in Altamonte Springs, Amalie Arena, Bradenton, Brandon, Clearwater, Davie, Daytona Beach, Daytona Speedway, Doral, Ellenton, Gainesville, Kissimee, Lakeland, Largo, Miami, New Port Richey, Ocala, Orlando, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Sanford, Tampa and Wesley Chapel will offer veterans and active military a free meal from a select menu on Veterans Day.
• Duffy’s Sports Grill in Altamonte Springs, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Ft. Meyers, Jupiter, Miami, North Miami Beach, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, Royal Palm Beach, Tampa, Sarasota and West Palm Beach will give military veterans and active military a free meal on Nov. 11 when they each purchase an additional meal.
• Grillsmith in Carrolwood, Countryside, Lakeland, Sarasota and Wesley Chapel will offer a complimentary entree for each active or retired military member on Veterans Day.
• TooJay’s in Altamonte Springs, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coral Springs, Hallandale Beach, Jupiter, Lady Lake, Lake Worth, Lake Mary, Lakeland, Ocoee, Orlando, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Plantation, Sarasota, Stuart, Tampa, The Villages, Vero Beach, Wellington and West Palm Beach will offer veterans and active-duty military a free meal from a select menu on Veterans Day.
• New York Prime in Boca Raton is honoring veterans and active-duty service members with 50 percent off any entree on Veterans Day.
• III Forks Prime Steakhouse in Palm Beach Gardens will offer free meals for all members of the U.S. armed forces on Nov. 11. The military appreciation offer includes a complimentary dinner item of up to $50 in value from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Miami Grill in South Florida will offer all active and retired military personnel 50 percent off on Veterans Day.

Services

• The Tampa Chapter of the VA Network is offering free range time to active-duty military and veterans at Shooters World, 116 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, Thursday starting at 8 a.m. (All experiences rules apply). Sarge's BBQ Food Truck and the Tampa VA Network team will be at Shooters World from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shooters World will offer 20 percent off range round ammunition, free eyes and ear protection and targets for $1 but free for the first 25 shooters. Click here.
• Detail Specialist, 8596 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, will thank veterans with proof of military service by giving them a free car wash all day on Veterans Day only starting at 9 a.m.
• Red Roof, with more than 650 properties, offers active and retired military personnel a 10 percent discount year-round with promo code: “VP#606730.”
• Honoring current members of the military as well as those who have served, Grace for Vets thanks them with a free car wash each year on Nov. 11.
• During their annual promotion, veterans and active military members can visit a U.S. Great Clips salon on Nov. 11 and receive either a free haircut that day or a free haircut card to use at a later date.
• Space Coast Area Transit in Brevard County will offer all veterans free rides on Veterans Day.
• Go Pasco in Pasco County offers veterans free rides on buses all year.
• HART Public Transportation in Hillsborough County will offer veterans and military free rides with military IDs or proof of prior service on Veterans Day.

Purchases

• All local Winn-Dixie stores will offer an 11 percent discount to veterans and active military service members this Veterans Day on all qualifying grocery purchases with a valid military ID. To further support military and their families, the grocer is also hosting a community donation program through Nov. 16 in all stores to support the USO and its mission to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation.
• Saluting members of the military, Champion offers a 10 percent discount in thanks for their service on Veterans Day and year-round.
• Saluting U.S. military members including active-duty, reserves, Guard, retirees and veterans, Cole Haan offers a 20 percent discount for online purchases on Veterans Day and year-round.
• Famous for its durable workwear, Dickies offers a 10 percent military discount on Veterans Day, as well as year-round.
• Athletic footwear, sports equipment and apparel retailer Eastbay is offering a 15 percent discount to all active and retired U.S. military personnel on Veterans Day (and year-round).
• Footlocker offers a 15 percent discount to active-duty, reserve and retired military members on Veterans Day (and year-round),
• Veterans, reservists and active members of the U.S. armed forces can get 30 percent off their purchase of affordable athletic wear at HYLETE on Veterans Day and (year-round).
• Lululemon offers a 15 percent in-store and online discount to veterans.
• Military members and veterans can enjoy 15 percent off their purchases at Michaels on Veterans Day (and year-round).
• In appreciation for their service, The North Face offers a 10 percent discount to all active, reservists, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel and to spouses and dependents of active personnel.
• Under Armour® will provide a 20 percent discount on purchases made by active-duty service members, retirees, veterans, military spouses and military family members.
• To honor military personnel, Vera Bradley offers a 15 percent discount on online purchases on Veterans Day (and year-round).
• Throughout the year, Vineyard Vines shows their appreciation for active-duty military and veterans by offering a 15 percent discount on almost every item in the store.
• Eddie Bauer will offer a 50 percent discount to veterans and active military.
• Trikaroo in New Port Richey will offers veterans $200 off the purchase of a new Trikaroo electric scooter through Nov. 15.
• JP Sports in Southwest Florida will offer a 20 percent discount on Veterans Day to all military people with an ID.