Many across the nation will come together on Veterans Day to honor heroes for their selfless service.
While every day is a day to appreciate Veterans for all that they’ve sacrificed for this country, Veterans Day, which takes place on Nov. 11 this year, is the perfect time to do so.
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Here’s a breakdown of Veterans Day discounts, freebies and events in Central and Southwest Virginia as we celebrate the nearly 19 million Veterans throughout the U.S.
Note: Most military discounts/freebies will require that you have a valid ID, such as a current Military ID Card or a retiree card.
A majority of these deals are only available on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, unless noted otherwise.
Discounts/Freebies
Applebee’s wants to serve those who have served us. All Veterans and Active Duty Military members can receive a free entree from a special menu at Applebee’s, which will include the following:
- Classic Bacon Cheeseburger
- Chicken Tenders Platter
- Fiesta Lime Chicken
- Oriental Chicken Salad
- 6 oz USDA select top sirloin
- Double crunch shrimp
- Three-cheese chicken penne
Active-duty military, veterans and spouses can get 25% off their entire purchase at Bed, Bath and Beyond. This deal is available in-store only.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings is treating Veterans and active-duty service members to 10 free boneless wings and fries, according to USA Today. This offer is available in-restaurant only.
Veterans and active-duty military members can enjoy a complimentary appetizer or dessert when dining in.
Veterans and active military members can get a free Chick Special and regular-sized drink if they stop by in uniform or with their military ID/DD214. The deal will be available in-restaurant only and won’t be available for online or delivery orders.
Cicis is offering Veterans and Active Duty Military a free adult buffet on Veterans Day. Taxes and drinks will be excluded.
Have a sweet tooth? Up until Nov. 14, Veterans can head to Cracker Barrel and get a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake, in-store or online, using code VETSDAY22.
Veterans can get:
- Free admission at Roanoke Pinball Museum on Friday
- Free admission at Roanoke STARCADE on Friday
- 50% off beer & seltzers at Olde Salem Brewing Company - Market Street on Friday
- Free admission to the Science Museum of Western Virginia on Saturday
- Free admission to the Virginia Museum of Transportation on Saturday and Sunday
- A special at Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery - Roanoke Friday through Sunday
Veterans and all military personnel can swing by Denny’s on Veterans Day from 5 a.m. to noon for a free Original Grand Slam.
Members of the military can head to Dunkin’ for a free donut of their choice.
Food Lion is offering a 10% discount to all active-duty military and veterans.
On Monday, Nov. 14, Military Appreciation Night will be held at Golden Corral and veterans and active service members can get a free meal.
From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., IHOP red, white and blueberry pancakes are on the house at IHOP for veterans and active duty military.
Krispy Kreme is offering Veterans and active military personnel a free donut of their choice and a small hot or iced coffee on Veterans Day.
Olive Garden
Olive Garden is offering Veterans and active-duty military personnel a free entree from a special menu, according to USA TODAY. Here’s a look at what’s on the menu:
- Never-ending soup
- Salad and breadsticks
- Cheese ravioli
- Spaghetti and meatballs
- Fettuccini alfredo
- Chicken Parmigiana
Military Veterans and active servicemen and their spouses can swing by Outback Steakhouse on Veterans Day for a free Bloomin’ Onion and Coca-Cola.
Rosie’s
Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums will honor active and retired military members with a special campaign, which can be found here. There will also be giveaways at all Rosie’s locations, including:
• $5 in Free Play
• A special “limited edition” lapel pin gift
• R’ Burger and World’s Greatest Fries for just $5
• Veterans exclusive Rosie’s Rewards Card’
Veterans can stop by Sheetz anytime on Veterans Day for a free meatball or ham half sub and a regular fountain drink.
Starbucks
Veterans, military service members and military spouses can enjoy a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced coffee at Starbucks.
Today only, active-duty military personnel, veterans and their family can save 10% on two purchases.
TGI Fridays
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free meal from a special menu, with options including a cheeseburger, crispy chicken fingers with fries, six-ounce sirloin steak with mashed potatoes and broccoli and a Caesar salad with grilled chicken.
Texas Roadhouse
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Veterans and active-duty military personnel can receive a meal voucher that is valid through May 30, 2023, according to USA TODAY.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is saluting Veterans and active military with a free breakfast combo during breakfast hours on Veterans Day, according to USA Today.
Events
Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony at Virginia Tech - Blacksburg
Nov. 11 - 10:30 a.m.
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will honor Veterans on Nov. 11 with several events. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
- 10:30 a.m. - The ceremony will start in the War Memorial Chapel at 601 Drillfield Drive.
- 11 a.m. - A memorial wreath will be placed in front of the cenotaph on War Memorial Court
- A 24-hour vigil will be held at the Rock by The Robert Femoyer Service Squadron
- A vigil will be held at the Pylons by The Corps of Cadets’ Echo Company
Emory & Henry honors Veterans with Colors at Veterans Day celebration - Emory
Nov. 11 - 10:45 a.m.
- At 10:45 a.m., the Colors will be presented in the McGlothlin Center lot.
- Cadets in the ROTC program will march from Martin-Brock to the McGlothlin Center for the Arts while presenting the Colors
- A host of speakers will speak as well, with veterans from all branches of our armed forces being celebrated
Special celebration at YMCA at VT - Blacksburg
Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
- The YMCA at VT is having a Veterans Day event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
National D-Day Memorial Veterans Day Observance - Bedford
Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
- Will be held at the Bedford Moose Lodge at 2986 W Lynchburg-Salem Tpke, with the memorial open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The event can also be viewed live at www.dday.org or on the National D-Day Memorial Facebook page.
- Admission is free all day.
Annual Veteran’s Day Observance - Appomattox
Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
- American Legion Post 104 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9855 will gather to honor the service of our military veterans
New River Community College Veterans Office Veterans Day Ceremony - Altavista
Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
- The ceremony will take place at the NRCC Campus in Dublin in Edwards Hall and will include:
- Presentations of the Colors
- The retiring of the flags by the Pulaski County High School Color Guard
- Local Army Veteran Jeff Bain will be the featured keynote speaker
Virginia’s Veterans Parade - Downtown Roanoke
Nov. 12 at 11 a.m.
- The parade and flyover will start at 11 a.m and go through downtown Roanoke, ending at Market Square.
Local Veteran Meet and Greet - Roanoke City Market Building
Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m.
- You’ll have a chance to meet local Veterans ahead of the parade.
Honor Our Veterans 5K and 10K - Roanoke’s Rivers Edge Sports Complex
Nov. 12 at 3 p.m.
- Community members can run to honor those who served at the “Honor Our Veterans 5K and 10K” on Saturday. You can sign up here.
Lowes - Blue Wreath Project
- Show your appreciation by adorning your door with a blue wreath
- With every eligible purchase made on Lowes.com from the Blue Wreath Project, Lowe’s will make a donation of $1 up to $50,000 to nonprofit partner Building Homes for Heroes