Veterans deserve our thanks more than one day a year
By Morf Morford
Tacoma Daily Index
JBLM is Pierce County’s largest employer by far. Many of us are residents here directly because of military service.
Our economy, our schools and our tax base all rely on what the military has brought here.
Veterans Day is our holiday set aside to honor and thank our veterans and all those who serve, directly or indirectly with our military.
Several businesses have specials directed towards veterans on this day.
Most, if not all, of these deals are only on Veterans Day, which this year is on Monday, November 11.
To take part, just bring one of these proofs of service:
U.S. Uniformed Services ID Card
U.S. Uniformed Service Retired ID Card
Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
Veterans Organization Card (such as American Legion or VFW)
Photograph of yourself in uniform
Wear your uniform
DD214
Citation or commendation
Food or drinks
Here are just a few opportunities:
Every Veterans Day since 2008, Applebee’s restaurants have been thanking veterans for their service by giving them a free meal.
Since 2008, Applebee’s has given away over 8.9 million free meals to veterans and active-duty military. This year, they expect to serve around 1 million more.
Many more restaurants offer free meals to veterans, some of the more popular chains include Red Lobster, Denny’s, Chili’s, T.G.I. Friday’s, Red Robin, Outback Steakhouse, IHOP, and Olive Garden.
Black Angus Steakhouse 75% Discount Meal – Veterans and active military get a $9.99 Certified Angus Beef Top Sirloin Steak with home-style mashed potatoes, broccoli, garlic bread, and a beverage. This offer is valid all day long on Monday, November 11 only. Starbucks is giving out free tall (12 fl oz) hot brewed coffees on Veterans Day.
Haircuts
Veterans can always use a haircut. Veterans and active, inactive, or retired military members can stop into Great Clips for a free haircut on Veterans Day, November 11. If they don’t want a haircut that day, they can get a haircut card that they can redeem before the end of the year. If you are not a veteran, anyone else can stop in to get their haircut on November 11 and receive a free haircut card that they can give to a veteran, which is redeemable through December 31, 2019.
Veterans and active duty U.S. service members with proof of service can stop in on Monday, November 11, to get a free haircut at any participating Sports Clips location. There are six locations across Pierce County.
Sports Clips is also donating $1 from every haircut to the Help A Hero Scholarship Program.
Could your car use a wash?
Veterans can get a free car wash on November 11. Go here for details – http://graceforvets.org/veterans.
Free oil changes
Active and retired members of the military can present their valid military ID at a participating Meineke location on November 11, 2019 for a free basic oil change. It’s very possible that not all locations are participating, or that some are having the free oil change on November 11 or a different day, so be sure to contact your local Meineke for more information.
Every Team Car Care owned and operated Jiffy Lube® service center is offering a discount of 25% OFF as a “Thank You” to the men and women of our Armed Forces for their service to our country. Check online for participating locations: https://teamcarcare.jiffylube.com/custom/934-veteran-discount.
Travel
Veterans, active duty, national guard, and reserves can stay the night at participating B&B’s for free around the country. Some locations offer one night and others may provide more.
It’s common for the free stay to be offered the night before Veterans Day, on Sunday, November 10, 2019. However, some locations are different—this is noted in the link below.
You must call the inn directly to speak to them about reserving your room. Proof of service is required to take part in this offer. https://www.bandbsforvets.org/places/
Shopping
JOANN’s Fabric and Craft Stores: Past and present military members get 15% off their total purchase at JOANN’s every day of the year. This is valid not only for regularly priced items but also anything on sale or clearance. Additionally, on Monday, November 11, all JOANN classes are free for active and former military members, and every purchase made that day by an eligible customer is 25% off.
JCPenney 10% Discount: Military personnel and immediate family members get an additional 10% off for Veterans Day, valid in stores only, from November 7 through November 11. Military ID is required.
Walgreens 20% Military Discount: With a Balance Rewards card and proof of service, military members and veterans get a 20% Walgreens discount in stores from November 9 through November 11. Several products are excluded from this discount, including alcohol, dairy, stamps, tobacco, gift cards, lottery tickets, and more.
Target 10% Military and Veteran Discount: Vets, active military, and their families get 10% off their Target order (online and in-store) up through November 12.
Beyond Veterans Day
Lowe’s has a 10% military discount for current, retired, and VA members. This also applies to immediate family.
Parks and museums
November 9, 10, and 11 (between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM), anyone currently serving in the military or who have served in the past, get free admission to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, WA.
Immediate members of their families can get half-off their admission.
This offer is also available for their sister zoo, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
Over 100 national parks will waive admission fees – for everyone – on November 11, 2019, in honor of Veterans Day.
Active duty military members and their family members can get a free annual pass to more than 2,000 national parks in the United States. https://store.usgs.gov/faq#US-Military
Active military members and their families can get free admission into over 1,500 museums around the country from Memorial Day through Labor Day. https://bluestarfam.org/family-life/blue-star-museums/
Getting married?
Deployments, financial hardships, and other challenges unique to servicemen and women can make it difficult to plan a wedding. Brides Across America plays a role in making their dreams come true by giving a military or first responder bride a free wedding gown during an “Operation Wedding Gown Event”. Details here https://www.bridesacrossamerica.com/
Lawn care
Facing deployment, the last thing a soldier needs to think about is lawn care – but it still needs to be done.
Project EverGreen is a needs based program for active-duty deployed service members of the rank of e-6 and below. This includes all military branches. Only one residence is permitted and the military member must reside at this location.
