Veterans Day In Manasquan-Belmar: Ceremonies, Discounts

BELMAR, NJ - The post office and most banks will be closed in Manasquan and Belmar on Thursday in observance of Veterans Day, a federal holiday that honors veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Manasquan and Belmar municipal offices will be closed on Thursday in honor of Veterans Day. There will be a Veterans Day tribute at Memorial Field in Belmar on 12th Avenue and Main Street from 9:30 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 11.

The VFW Post 1838 will also be holding a ceremony at Squan Plaza in Manasquan at 11 a.m.

Veterans Day, commemorated annually on Nov. 11, was first celebrated in 1919 to honor those who fought in World War I. It was initially called Armistice Day and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

The holiday's origin is tied to the armistice, a temporary end of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany signed in France on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
It became Veterans Day in 1954, shortly following the end of the Korean War and less than a decade after World War II, after various veterans service organizations urged Congress to encompass veterans of all wars in their honor.

While some ceremonies, parades and services may be canceled or altered as the coronavirus pandemic continues, restaurants and other businesses will continue to show their appreciation for veterans and active-military members.

Applebee's, Bob Evans, Texas Roadhouse and Chili's Grill and Bar are among the national restaurant chains offering free or discounted meals for veterans on Nov. 11, and 7-Eleven is offering a free cup of coffee or Big Gulp.

Other places, such as Golden Corral and Eat'n Park, have offers extended throughout November.

Veterans and active-duty service members can also find deals here:

• Bed Bath & Beyond: Get 25 off in-store purchases on Nov. 11
• Buy Buy Baby: Get 25 percent off purchases from Nov. 11 to 13
• Buffalo Wild Wings: Get a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries on Veterans Day.
• Dunkin': Get a free donut of choice at participating locations.
• Hooters: Purchase a beverage and get a free entrée from the Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11.
• IHOP: Get free Red, White & Blueberry pancakes between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 11.
• Krispy Kreme: Get a free small coffee and donut on Nov. 11.
• Red Lobster: Get a free appetizer or dessert on Nov. 11 from the Veterans Day menu.
• Starbucks: Get a free tall (12 oz.) hot coffee on Nov. 11.
• Target: Get 10 percent off in-store or online purchases through Nov. 13. Register first at www.target.com/circle/military.
• Wendy's: Get a free breakfast combo offer from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 (includes Maple Bacon Chicken Croissant, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit or Breakfast Baconator combos).

Veterans Day is somewhat related to, and sometimes mistaken for, Memorial Day, the federal holiday on the final Monday of May that is dedicated to those who have died while serving the United States.