Freebies and deals for Veterans Day

BOSTON -- As Veterans Day approaches, restaurants and retailers are publicizing deals and freebies for active-duty and retired military service members.

When the parades are done and before the fireworks begin on Wednesday, you may want to grab a free meal, dessert, beer or haircut.

Check out some of the deals below.

(Most restaurants require proof of military service – active duty and retired. Not every location will honor the deals. Call ahead to make sure the location you go to is participating. Most deals are for dine-in meals.)

Meals

Applebee's: You can get your choice of seven meals for free on Veterans Day (beverages and gratuity not included).
Arby's: One free Roast Beef Classic on Veterans Day.
Baker's Square: Free Breakfast for anyone who has served in the military. You can choose between buttermilk pancakes, three slices of French toast or a Belgian waffle.
Bar Louie: Free meal up to a $12 value with military ID or proof of service on Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Wednesday, No. 11.
Bob Evans: Free all-you-can-eat pancakes for anyone who has served in the military.
Bonanza Steakhouse: Free buffet from 4 p.m. – closing for anyone who has served in the military
California Pizza Kitchen: A free entrée when ordered off of a special menu for anyone who has served in the military.
Carrabba's: Free appetizer for anyone who has served in the military Monday, Nov. 9-Sunday, Nov. 15.
Cheeseburger in Paradise: The chain is offering a free All-American Burger and fries for anyone who has served in the military.
Chicken Salad Chick: Get a free one sandwich, or scoop of your choice of chicken salad, plus one side, a pickle spear and a cookie on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for anyone who has served in the military and who presents proof of service.
Chili's: A free entrée for anyone who has served in the military when ordered off of a special menu.
Claim Jumper: A free lunch or dinner for for anyone who has served in the military when ordered off of a special menu.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Veterans will get a complimentary Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake dessert.
Denny's: Veterans will get a free build-your-own Grand Slam Breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon on Nov. 11.
Friendly's: Get a free Big Two Do for breakfast or a free All American Burger meal for lunch or dinner.
Golden Corral: A free "thank-you" dinner and fundraiser will be held on Monday, Nov. 17. Veterans and active-duty military will get a free buffet and beverage from 5-9 p.m.
Hooters: Get a free entrée (up to $10.99 value) with any drink purchase.
Ikea: Anyone who has served in the military can get a free entree at Ikea with some form of military ID.
IHOP: Get a free order of Red, White and Blue pancakes anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Krispy Kreme: Veterans can get a free small coffee and a donut.
Krystal: Get a free chicken or sausage biscuit from 6-11 a.m. on Veterans Day.
Little Caesars: Veterans can get a free Crazy $5 Hot-n-Ready lunch combo from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at participating location. Must present a valid military ID.
Logan's Roadhouse: Get a free dessert on Veterans Day.
Longhorn Steakhouse: Get a free Texas Tonion appetizer and beverage on Nov. 11.
McCormick and Schmick's: A complimentary entree for veterans on Sunday, Nov. 8.
O'Charley's: Veterans and all active-duty military personnel will have their choice of one of nine meals. Must order off the O'Charley's "$9.99er" menu.
Olive Garden: A free entrée for anyone who has served in the military when ordered off of a special menu.
On the Border: Get a free "create your own combo" meal on Nov. 11.
Outback Steakhouse: All active, retired military and veterans get a Free Bloomin' Onion and a beverage on Veterans Day. Must have identification.
Panera Bread: Get a free "You Pick 2" for veterans and active duty members on Nov. 11.
Ponderosa Steakhouses: A free buffet for anyone who has served in the military (beverage not included).
Red Lobster: Get a complimentary appetizer or dessert from a special menu through Thursday Nov. 12.
Red Robin: Veterans and active duty military get a free Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Veterans Day.
Ruby Tuesday: Get a free appetizer on Veterans Day.
Ryan's: Free lunch for veterans, retired and active duty military personnel.
Shoney's: Get a free All American Burger and fries on Nov. 11.
Sizzler: A free entrée on Veterans Day until 4 p.m. Steak, chicken or shrimp for anyone who has served in the military.
Starbucks: Veterans and active military and their spouses each get a free tall coffee.
TGI Fridays: A free entrée when ordered off of a special menu between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Veterans Day.
Texas Roadhouse: Get a free lunch when you order form a special Veterans Day lunch menu. Sides and beverage included.
Tony Roma's: Get a free beer at participating locations.
Twin Peaks: Retired and active duty military personnel get a free menu item from a special Veterans Day menu.
Uno's: Get a free entree when you buy one on Veterans Day. Must have a military or veteran ID.
Village Inn: Free breakfast all day long.
White Castle: Veterans and active-duty military get a free breakfast slider and small coffee or small soft drink on Veterans Day.
Zoe's Kitchen: A free entree to those with a military ID. Also, an additional 10 percent off the check for all family members on Nov. 11

Other deals:

AARP: Get 20 percent off membership for veterans and their families.
Alfred Angelo: Military brides get a free wedding gown on Veterans Day. Must make an appointment for Nov. 11 to qualify.
Amazon.com: Get 20 percent off select clothing on Veterans Day using the promotion code: 20veterans.
Army Corp of Engineers Recreation Areas: Free use at more than 2,400 reaction areas nationwide for veterans and active-duty service members and their families.
Bellhops: Veterans and active-duty service members can order free service for moving and lifting jobs that will take place between Nov. 13 and Dec. 15.
Brides Across America: Military brides can get a wedding dress during the month of November through the Brides Across America program. The group partners with salons across the nation. You must register online.
Dell: Military members get 15 percent off on select PCs and electronics from Veterans Day through Nov. 15.
Dollar General: Get 11 percent off on Nov. 11 if you are a veteran or active duty military.
Great Clips : A free haircut for military members and for those not in the military, a card for a free haircut to give to military members.
Home Depot: Get a 10 percent discount with military ID.
Jockey: Veterans, active-duty and families get 25 percent off using the promo code MILITARY.
JDog Junk Removal & Hauling: Half-off services for veterans if you book before Nov. 11.
JC Penney: Twenty percent off for veterans and active-duty military on in-store purchases.
La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery: An additional 5 percent off the Veterans Day sale for active-duty, veterans, retirees and reservists.
Lowes Home Improvement: Ten percent off for anyone who has served in the military with proof of service.
Meineke: All veterans receive a free Basic Oil Change at participating Meineke locations.
newegg.com: Get 10 percent off through Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Publix: Active and retired military personnel and family members receive a 10 percent discount on Veterans Day. Proof of service required.
Rack Room Shoes: Ten percent off for retired and active-duty service members for your the entire purchase on Veterans Day.
Red Roof Inn: Retired and active-duty service members get 15 percent off a stay during the month of November.
Sleep Number: Save $500-$700 on selected Sleep Number mattress sets.
Seaworld Parks: Veterans and active-duty military receive discounts or free admission. Seaworld properties include SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sesame Place Langhorne. The program does not include Discovery Cove in Orlando or Aquatica, SeaWorld's Waterpark.
Under Armour: Retired and active-duty service members get 15 percent through Nov. 12.