How To: Get Free Food and Discounted Deals on Veterans Day 2011

This coming Friday, November 11th, 2011 is Veterans Day and everybody's celebrating! But only veterans and active military personnel can get the great deals being offered at restaurants and retail outlets across the country. If you need help locating some of those deals, below are all of the nationwide and local deals found across the Web. If you know of any more, share the spots in the comments below!

But remember, most of these money saving Veterans Day deals require you to bring proof of past or present military service. Most will take either a VA identification card, DD-214, or DOD-issued active military ID. It's always good to call ahead and make sure they are participating in the offers and to know exactly what proof of services they're requiring.

* For more information about Veterans Day history (and the video above) go to VA.gov.

Restaurants

Enjoy free food and discounted prices at participating restaurants. If you decide to try for a free lunch or dinner, you may want to call ahead to ask about their expected peak times, to avoid a long wait. Remember to take any required proof of service along.

• Abuelo's Mexican Food Restaurants
  All veterans and active duty military receive a free entrée on 11/11/2011. But offers may vary location to location. Call ahead to make sure they offer the deal.
• America's Incredible Pizza Company
  Participating locations are offering a free meal from 4pm – 8pm on Veterans Day, 11/11/2011. This free dinner includes an unlimited buffet and drink at either participating locations in Saint Louis or Saint Peters, Missouri. Please call ahead to confirm the deal.
• Applebee's
  One free entrée from choice of 7 for veterans on 11/11/2011.
• Chili's
  Veterans and active duty personnel can pick one free meal from 6 select choices, during business hours on 11/11/2011.
• Denny's
  Veterans get a free Grand Slam breakfast from 6am - 10pm on 11/11/2011, but it's only confirmed in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo areas. Call your local Denny's to see if they are participating.
• Famous Dave's BBQ
  Participating restaurants are offering a number of specials from free meals to discounts off entire checks on 11/11/2011 for all active and retired military personnel. Please call ahead to see what deals are available in your area.
• Golden Corral
  Free "thank you" dinner for current and retired military members on Monday, 11/14/2011 from 5pm - 9pm.
• Hooters
  All veterans will receive 10 free boneless or traditional wings with any drink purchase on 11/11/2011 at participating restaurants.
• Krispy Kreme Donuts
  One free doughnut of any variety to veterans on 11/11/2011. Available only at participating stores, so call ahead to make sure they offering the deal in your area.
• Little Caesars
  Veterans and active duty personnel with valid ID can get a free order of Crazy Bread on 11/11/2011. No coupon or other purchase required. Little Caesars also has a Veterans Program year-round with credits and discounts, as well as special financing options, to help honorably discharged vets own their own business.
• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants
  All veterans with receive a free entrée from a selected menu on Sunday, 11/13/2011 at participating locations. Space is limited, so a reservation is highly recommended.
• Outback Steakhouse
  Free Bloomin' Onion and Coca-Cola beverage for veterans from 11/7/2011 - 11/11/2011.
• 7 Eleven
  Participating locations are offering a free small Slurpee from 11am - 7pm on 11/11/2011.
• Subway
  Free 6-inch sub to veterans on 11/11/2011 at participating restaurants. Call ahead to make sure your local Subway is participating.
• Texas Roadhouse
  Veterans and active duty personnel can choose one free entrée from a select menu of ten items. Plus, you can get a free Coca-Cola product, iced tea, sweet tea or coffee. Valid from 11am - 2pm on 11/11/2011.
• T.G.I. Friday's
  Buy one entrée get one free 11/11/2011 at participating locations for all veterans and active duty personnel with proper ID.
• UNO Chicago Grill
  They are offering an odd 19.43% discount on all of their food and non-alcoholic beverages purchase from 11/7/2011 - 11/11/2011 for both veterans and active duty. Why the odd discount? That is the year UNO invented deep dish pizza.

Restaurant Deals from 2010 - Not Yet Confirmed for 2011

These are the deals offered last year that have not been confirmed for 2011. If you know they exist this Veterans Day, let us know in the comments.

• Barmuda
  Offered a free meal to all active duty members and veterans in all restaurants.
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
  Veterans and active duty members received one free lunch entrée or a one-topping mini pizza for dinner.
• Boston's Gourmet Pizza
  Free individual pizza. All military veterans and active duty military personnel enjoyed a free individual one topping pizza from 5pm -7pm.
• Carolina Burgers & BBQ
  At the Matthews, NC location they offered a free meal to all service members and veterans.
• Coushatta Casino Resort
  The Louisiana casino and resort offered a free seven-clans lunch or dinner buffet to veterans.
• Hy-Vee Supermarkets
  The mid-western supermarket chain offered a free breakfast (during regular breakfast hours) to veterans.
• MarketPlace Grill & Express
  Veterans and active duty military received free entrées.
• Masala Wok
  The Northern Virginian restaurant offered a free entrée to veterans.

Retail

Some retail shops are offering some great discounts, while some are offering coupons they offer to everyone else, all day, everyday, each year. Example: It might not be worth shopping at Lowe's this weekend if you suspect a large crowd, because you can get the same deal almost any other time of the year.

• 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. NOW - 11/11/2011
• Bed and Breakfast for Vets
  B&Bs for Vets has organized over 485 (and counting) participating Bed and Breakfasts and Inns across the US and Canada which will be offering veterans a free night's stay on November 10th, the night before Veterans Day. This offer is available to both active duty military members and veterans with ID, but space is limited. Each Inn and B&B has at least one room available for this promotion and reservations must be made directly through the participating Inns and B&Bs.
• Cars Washes Everywhere!
  Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2010.
• Dollar General
  10% discount for all veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and Reserve members and their immediate families on 11/11/2011. Just show military ID to cashier.
• Home Depot
  10% discount on all purchases of up to $2,000 for Veterans. Valid year-round with proper ID.
• Hugo & Sam's Club
  Free cane for Veterans in need of mobility assistance. Canes will be given away at Sam's Clubs nationwide on 11/9/2011 - 11/11/2011. Limited quantities available only while supplies last, and a Sam's Club Membership is not required. Proof of military service may be required.
• Lowe's
  10% discount for active, reserve, honorably discharged and retired military personnel and their immediate families. Available year-round. Proper ID required. Though, if you're familiar with Lowe's, you're probably disappointed with this veteran's discount, since they offer 10% coupons all of the time, virtually everywhere, most notably in those moving packets from USPS.
• Sport Clips
  Free haircut to active-duty military & veterans on 11/11/2011. Offer only available at select locations. Please call to verify local participation. Sport Clips also honors Veterans year-round with special pricing. Just show VFW membership card or Military ID to receive your discount.

Retail Deals from 2010 - Not Yet Confirmed for 2011

• Brides Across America
  Free wedding dresses to military brides. Select bridal salons throughout the U.S. will be giving away free bridal gowns to qualifying brides. Offer is first come, first serve. Ending unknown.
• Build-a-Bear Workshop
  Members of the armed services, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Reserve Officer Training Corps, received a 20% discount from on any one transaction.
• Cabela's Outdoor Store
  Offered their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel. Discounts varied from 5% to 50% depending on the item.
• Fashion Bug
  20% off misses and plus size clothing purchases with military ID or spouses military ID.
• Sears
  Offered a "Salute to Local Heroes" discount to all military, veterans, police, firefighters, teachers, and hospital staff. Offer was good for 10% of regular, sale, and clearance prices.

Entertainment

If you prefer fun over food and shopping, then there's a few places (like parks) offering free admission and discount entry fees.

• America's National Parks
  Free weekend-long admission for veterans and civilians from 11/11/2011 - 11/13/2011.
• Anheuser-Busch Parks
  Offers active duty service members free admission for them and up to 3 dependents to any of their parks once a year. Throughout 2011, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. The Here's to the Heroes program is only available to any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman. Sorry, vets.
• Colonial Williamsburg
  Free weekend-long admission from 11/11/2011 - 11/13/2011 for active-duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents.
• Greenbay (WI) New Zoo
  Free admission to veterans and their families from 9am - 4pm on 11/11/20101.
• Historic Jamestown
  Free admission to veterans and current Armed Forces members and their family members from 11/11/2011 - 11/13/2011.
• Knott's Berry Farm
  Free admission for veterans or current-serving military personnel and one guest with proper ID presented at turnstile. (DD214, Veterans Administration hospital ID or active military service ID.) Additional tickets (up to 6) are $17 each. Offer valid 11/1/2011 - 11/24/2011.
• Natural Elements Day Spa & Salon
  Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, they'll provide free "mini" services from 10am to 3pm to both active duty and retired military on 11/11/2011. Due to increased interest, you must call ahead for an appointment.
• Pro Football Hall of Fame
  Any veteran or member of the armed forces and their spouse or a guest will be admitted free of charge to the Hall of Fame for a day-long recognition of US Military veterans on 11/5/2011 (expired). 
• San Jacinto Museum of History
  Offering free visits to the Observation Deck, theatre, and special exhibit for veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families 11/12/2011 - 11/13/2011.
• Vicksburg National Military Park
  Free admission for all from 11/11/2011 - 11/13/2011.

Retail Deals from 2010 - Not Yet Confirmed for 2011

• Battleship Cove
  Offered free admission and a special ceremony for veterans, active, duty and reservists. But... they offer free admission year-round to active duty military wearing uniforms, or $7 entry fee with military ID. 
• Birmingham Museum of Art
  Offered free admission to the ticketed event "Life and Liberty" for veterans and active military.
• Central Florida Zoo
  Offered free admission to the Sanford, Florida zoo with proper ID.
• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
  Oklahoma City offered free admission to veterans and five guests from 9am to 5pm.
• Strategic Air & Space Museum
  Offered free admission for veterans to the Ashland, Nebraska museum. Currently, there's a Heroes Among Us exhibit on 11/13/2011 from 2pm to 4pm.
• Vulcan Park and Museum
  In Birmingham, Alabama, they offered discounted admission to the park and museum.

And...