Events, Happenings and Freebies on Veterans Day

Looking for something to do on Veterans Day with the Kids? We’ve got you covered!

We take today to honor all the soldiers who show and have shown selfless acts to protect and serve our country. Thank you for your bravery, commitment and fearlessness.

Disclaimer: For Veteran discounts, it’s required that a military ID or DD-214 be shown. Always check before going out!

Events

Veterans Day Salute – Waldorf
James E. Richmond Science Center
Cost:  $8 – Adults/Children (4-12); Free – Veterans/Members/CCPS Employees/Children (3 & under)
A special presentation of D-Day:  Normandy 1944 will be shown in the Digital Fulldome Theater.  Veterans (active duty and retired) are invited to attend free of charge.  Show Tickets include the featured Digital Dome film, NOAA Science on a Sphere, Exploration Stations, and Science Gallery.

Military Appreciation Day  – Solomons
Calvert Marine Museum
10 am – 5 pm
Join us as we celebrate and honor America’s veterans. Learn about the contributions of Maryland’s veterans through the ages as well as Solomons Island’s unique contribution to America’s WWII efforts. Family friendly activities will be continuing all day and will include letter writing by children for veteran organizations and yellow ribbons for current service members. Veterans, active military, and their families are FREE.

Veterans Day Parade and Memorial Service  – Leonardtown
10 am – 1 pm
Marching bands, military units, bagpipers, dancers, horses, scouts, antique cars, and a wreath-laying ceremony. Parade participants should park at Leonardtown Middle School and take the shuttle to the staging area at St. Mary’s Ryken. Spectators may park at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds or the St. Mary’s County Governmental Center.

Eco- Explorations: Feathers & Fur-Winter Survival (Drop-In) – Dowell
Annemarie Sculpture Garden
10am – 11am;
Cost: FREE with general admission; Members FREE
Have an Eco-explorer at home? Come along on an eco-exploration as our staff naturalist, Hester Burch, leads youngsters and their caregivers on a hands-on exploration of the natural world of Annmarie Garden.

Annemarie Sculpture Gardens – Free Admission
10am-5pm
In honor of Veteran’s Day, Annmarie Sculpture Gardens extends FREE admission to all military veterans and active duty military. PLUS, on-going activities in the artLAB and galleries and take a walk in the sculpture garden and play in the Fairy Lolly.

Happenings

Visit a local museum. There are many options in the DC area.

Check out the new Peanuts Movie!

Free Admission for active and retired Vets to the Newseum.

Free Entrance to National Parks (everyone) – National Park Services has special days reserved for free entry and Veterans Day just happens to be one of them!

Maryland
Antietam National Battlefield
Assateague Island National Seashore
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Fort Washington Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Virginia
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
Assateague Island National Seashore
Colonial National Historical Park
George Washington Memorial Parkway’s Great Falls Park
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Petersburg National Battlefield
Prince William Forest Park
Shenandoah National Park

Food Freebies

Applebee’s: A choice of seven different meals on the house (beverages and gratuity not included).
Bob Evans: Free all-you-can-eat hotcakes.
California Pizza Kitchen: A free entrée from special menu.
Chili’s: Free meals from a special menu.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Veterans receive a complimentary Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake dessert to veterans and an opportunity for guests to make purchases that support the United Service Organizations (USO).
Denny’s: Free build-your-own Grand Slam Breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon.
Friendly’s: Free Big Two Do breakfast or free All American Burger meal for lunch or dinner.
The Green Turtle: Veterans and Active Duty military enjoy a free meal on Veterans Day.
Golden Corral: A “thank you” dinner and fundraiser will take place on Monday, November 17, and veterans and active-duty military are welcomed to a free buffet and beverage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hooters: Free entrée (up to $10.99 value) with any drink purchase.
IHOP: Free order of Red, White, and Blue pancakes anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
IKEA: From November 8 to 11, show military ID in an IKEA cafeteria for a free entrée (value up to $9.99).
Krispy Kreme: Free small coffee and a donut.
Little Caesars: Vets and active military can help themselves to a free, $5 Hot-N-Ready lunch combo, including four pizza slices and a 20-ounce beverage, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at participating locations.
LongHorn Steakhouse: Show military ID and get a free Texas Tonion appetizer and non-alcoholic beverage.
Olive Garden: Free entrée from special menu.
On the Border: Free “create your own combo” meal.
Outback Steakhouse: Customers with military ID get a free Blooming Onion appetizer and free beverages on November 11, and all military and their families get 15% off the bill anytime from November 12 to December 31.
Panera Bread: 1 free You Pick 2 for Veterans and Active Duty members.
Ponderosa Steakhouse: Both Ponderosa and its sister chain Bonanza Steakhouse offer free meals for veterans and active military from 4 p.m. until closing.
Red Lobster: Service members past and present receive a complimentary appetizer or dessert from a special menu. November 9 through November 12.
Red Hot & Blue Restaurants: November 9-11, 2015, veterans, Active Duty, Retirees and Reservists receive a free entrée with the purchase of two drinks and a second entrée of equal or greater value.
Red Robin Free Burger and Fries: All Veterans and Active Duty Military get a free Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Veterans Day
Shoney’s: Free All American Burger.
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill: Veterans and active duty get a free meal.
Starbucks: Veterans and active military and their spouses each get a free tall coffee.
TGI Fridays: Free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Texas Roadhouse: Free lunch from special menu.