Veterans Day Celebrations![]()
Veterans Day is quickly coming up! This year, Veterans day is celebrated November 11, 2019. Just a couple of days to go to it and if you still haven’t decided how you would be spending this day, then you have come to the right place.
As an Air Force Veteran myself, I always look for ways I can go celebrate the day with fellow veterans and military spouses. Considering that this is a special occasion where the United States gets to thank all its veterans for having served their duties to the best of their abilities, several businesses follow the lead as well with offering complimentary things to veterans. From lunches and dinners to free entries to several awesome museums, there is a lot that you can choose from to make this year’s Veterans Day a special one. Let’s get started with the list.
1. Veterans Day Movie - Midway
Each year it seems like a movie commemorating veterans is released on Veterans Day weekend and this year the movie Midway will be released. The movie centers around the Battle of Midway, a clash between the American fleet and the Japanese navy. This battle is said to be the pivotal turning point during World War II.
2. Tours of the Memorials
Unarguably one of the best things to do on Veterans Day is to book yourself a place in one of the tours that will take you to various memorials in the area. You will get to learn so much about all the services veterans have done for us. They also have wreath-laying ceremonies. If you're in the DMV area this is a great location to take advantage of looking at these spectacular memorials. Following are the memorials you can tour on Veterans Day:
3. National Cathedral Veterans Day Tribute Concert
If you want to see a lot more than wreath-laying ceremonies, attending concerts paying tributes to veterans is yet another thing you can do. With that respect, National Cathedral Veterans Day Tribute Concert is one of the highly recommended ones. You also get a chance to see the US Marine Corps Orchestra in action! Other places also host concerts like Mount Vernon. Their community concert (barbershop concert) always has a huge turn up every Veterans Day. And if you are a Veteran attending one of these concerts yourself, you do not have to pay anything whatsoever -- it's free! For more information, visit here.
Other than museums and concerts, you may also want to take advantage of various discount offers on restaurants and shops. There are so many deals that go up just on this occasion alone that you will have several different options.
4. Veterans Day Activities
There will be several different activities celebrating and honoring the Veterans around Washington DC and the surrounding suburbs. This is a quick list of several different activities Amazon Prime - November 6-11 veterans, active duty, Guard, and Reserve members can get Amazon Prime membership for $79. That $40 off. Amtrak - 20% off travel for veterans and active duty members between August 25 - January 31, 2021. Ceasars Hotels - Get up to 40% off Ceasers's hotels across the US from November 7 - 11. Food Lion - Veterans, active military members and their families receive a 10% MVP discount on Monday, November 11th, 2019. FREE Car Wash - Grace for Vets; local car washes have teamed up to offer complimentary car washes to all veterans this Veterans Day. Galaxy Theaters - Free medium popcorn and active military from November 8 - 11. Kohl's - From November 7 - 11, Kohl's is doubling it's 15% discount to 30% for active and former military. Valid in-store only. Rack Room Shoes - Military personnel and their dependents get a 10% discount off entire purchase on Monday, November 11. Seaworld - Veterans and Active Duty military receive location-based discounts or free admission. Veterans promotion includes SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Sesame Place Langhorne. The program does not include Discovery Cove® in Orlando or Aquatica, SeaWorld’s WaterparkTM. FREE Haircuts at Sports Clips - 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 participating Sports Clips. Target - A Veterans Day military discount is available at Target stores and Target.com from Nov. 3-11, 2019. all military personnel, veterans and their families in stores and online. are eligible to receive a 10 percent discount. Guests can visit target.com/military for more information and to get verified for the offer. National Park Service - The U.S. National Park Service is waiving fees at most of its day-use recreation sites over the Veterans Day holiday weekend. Go online to find a national forest or grassland near you. Other notable stores offering discounts: Walgreens - 20% Verizon - Free 1-year Amazon Prime membership for military members Under Armour - 20% off
5. Restaurants offering discounts or complimentary meals
Applebee’s -- Veterans and active duty military receive a free meal from a limited menu. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse -- All service members can enjoy a complimentary entree up to $14.95 plus a free Dr Pepper, by presenting a military ID or proof of service. Cicis Pizza -- Get a free pizza buffet with Military ID on November 11. Cotton Patch Cafe -- Veterans and active duty military get a free chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken. Golden Corral -- Golden Corral Restaurants' Military Appreciation Night free dinner will be available on November 11, from 5pm to 9pm Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome. Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ -- On Veterans Day (Nov. 11), active and former military can enjoy a complimentary dessert, and a 20% discount with proof of service. Veterans receive 20% off the entire month of November for ‘Military Family Month. Mimi’s Cafe -- On Veterans Day, with the purchase of a beverage, active duty military and veterans with a valid military ID can choose a a free breakfast, lunch, or dinner entree from a select menu. On the Border -- Active and retired members of the military get a free combo meal on November 11. The meal is from the “Create Your Own Combo menu”, which is a “choose 2” or “choose 3” menu. Texas Roadhouse -- Texas Roadhouse locations is offering free lunch to all Veterans and Active Duty military from 11 am to 4 pm on Veterans Day. Choose from a 10 entree menu, drink included. Outback Steakhouse -- Veterans get a free Bloomin’ Onion® and a beverage on Veterans Day. Must have valid identification. Famous Daves – Free Two Meat Salute; on Saturday November 11, in honor of Veteran’s Day, Famous Daves is offering a complimentary meal to former and current military members. There is a choice of two meats, one choice of side and a cornbread muffin. Meat Choices include: Georgia Chopped Pork, Country-Roasted Chicken, Barbeque Chicken, Sweetwater Catfish Fingers, Traditional Wings, Boneless Wings, Southside Rib Tips, Chicken Tenders, and Texas Beef Brisket. This is a Dine-In only promotion. Little Ceasars – Veterans or active duty member will receive a free $5 Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo at participating stores from 11am to 2pm. This includes four slices of pizza and a 20 ounce Pepsi product. Mission BBQ – Veterans and active duty will receive a free sandwich and a slice of cake (while supplies last) Red Lobster - Active duty military, reserve, and veterans will get a free appetizer or dessert on Monday, November 11. Red Robin - Veterans and active-duty military will receive a free Red's Tavern Double burger and bottomless steak fries on November 11. IHOP - On Monday, November 11, IHOP will be giving a free stack of Red, White, and Blue pancakes to veterans and active duty military. Members must show proof of service, such as coming in uniform, showing military ID, or DD Form 214. Bob Evans - Offering free select menu items to Veterans and Active Duty Military on Veterans Day, Monday., Nov. 11. Cracker Barrel - Free dessert on November 11. Cracker Barrel is giving veterans a double chocolate fudge Coca Cake dessert. Friendly's - Free breakfast, lunch or dinner (dine-in only) on Monday, November 11. Bar Louie - Free burger or free flatbread offer is valid at participating Bar Louie locations on Monday, November 11. O'Charley's - Veterans and active duty military members will receive a free meal on Monday, November 11. Choice include the Famous Chicken Tenders & Fries, Honey Drizzled Southern-Fried Chicken, Home-style Chicken Pot Pie, and more. White Castle - Free meal on Saturday, November 11. Receive a free breakfast combo or castle combo meal #1-6. Chevy's Fresh Mex - Active duty and retired military members can visit participating Chevy's Fresh Mex on November 11 from 3 pm to closing, Chevys Fresh Mex will offer a complimentary meal and the complimentary meal will be a 3-item combo, choosing among Tacos, Enchiladas, Flautas, Tamales and Chile Relleno. Glory Days Grill - Veterans and active duty military members can enjoy a free appetizer or order boneless or regular wings at Glory Days Grill on Saturday, November 11. Peet's Coffee & Tea - Free coffee or tea from Peet's on November 11. Buffalo Wild Wings - Veterans & Active Military Members will receive 5 Free Boneless Wings with choice of sauce and a free non-alcoholic beverage all day on Monday, November 11, 2019. Dine-in only. Military ID or proof of service required. TCBY - First 6oz are free for veterans and active military on 11-11-19.
6. GWOT Memorial Foundation
Have you heard of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation? They are a non-profit organization looking to honor the servicemen and women who has served in our nation’s longest war –the war on terrorism, the fallen warriors, their families, and those who have worked in support. They are hoping to raise the awareness about their project and raise funds in order to have a memorial built on the National Mall in Washington D.C. The GWOT has a goal of having the memorial finished no later than September 2024. On August 18, 2017, President Trump signed the bill approving the construction of the national memorial honoring those who have fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. According to The Star and Stripes, more than 2.5 million Americans have deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Department of Defense say nearly 7,000 people have been killed. The GWOT Memorial Foundation hopes to raise $40 to $50 million dollars for the privately funded memorial. For more information, please visit here.
7. Amazon Prime Discount
I've mention this several times because it's huge. Amazon announced a $40 discount for military personnel. To take advantage of this discount visit https://www.amazon.com/b?node=20125988011#ref=us_mil_pr_blog To receive this promotion, you must be a verified U.S. veteran, Active Duty or Reserve or National Guard member.
8. Knott's Berry Farm - Military Tribute Days
Active duty, retired, and Veterans receive FREE admission to Knott's Berry Farm for themselves and one guest November 3-21 and December 2-19, 2019. Visit here to learn more. For information on special Knott's Berry Farm Hotel rates, call 866-752-2444.
If you see a veteran today (or any day), say “thank you for your service”. With all the different conflicts the United States is currently involved with, please give some thought to the sacrifices they are making not only for their country, but many military members have spouses and children. So they are sacrificing time with their loved ones to keep us safe. It is always an honor to have the privilege to photograph military members and their families in Northern Virginia at the National Archives Museum and the surrounding areas.
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Happy Veterans Day from Tamieka Smith Photography
Updated: November 6, 2019
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