Thursday, October 29, 2020

Veterans and Gold Star Families Will Soon Have Free Admission to All National Parks posted 29 Oct 2020

Veterans and Gold Star Families Will Soon Have Free Admission to All National Parks

Soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard hike in Acadia National Park.
Soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard hike down Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park for physical conditioning during the first week of the Soldier Wellness Education and Training (SWEAT) program, July 14, 2017. (U.S. Army/ Spc. Jarod Dye)

National Parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands will all be free for veterans and Gold Star family members to use starting Veterans Day, Interior Department officials announced today.

The change extends to veterans and Gold Star families the existing free admission policy already in play for active-duty troops and their families, as well as Guard and Reserve members. It waives both entrance and day use recreation fees for lands managed by the Department of the Interior nationwide.

While not all of the system's 2,000 public recreation areas charge entrance fees, many of the more popular destinations do, such as Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. The fees vary by location. Instead of paying individual entry fees, visitors can purchase an annual "America the Beautiful" pass for $80. Seniors over age 65 can purchase a lifetime pass for $80.

Disabled veterans qualify for the Access Pass, which gives free admission and a 50% discount on some costs such as camping or boat launch fees. Other passholders pay out of pocket for those costs.

The new program expands free park access to millions of honorably discharged veterans. To gain access, veterans can present a DoD ID card; a Veteran Health Identification Card; a Veteran ID card; or a state-issued card displaying veteran status.

While the free pass for active-duty troops can be used by their dependents, the new free-access rule for veterans does not extend to their immediate family members.

That means that at parks where entrance fees are paid per vehicle, veterans and their families will be able to enter free using the veteran pass. At parks where admission is paid per person, however, only the veteran will be able to enter free.

Free entrance for Gold Star family members is limited to those designated as "Gold Star" by law. To meet the definition, families must be the "next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a 'qualifying situation,' such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces," according to the release.

But Gold Star family members will not be required to produce proof of qualification -- at least for now. 

"For the time being, we will be using an honor system," Ben Goldey, a spokesman for Interior told Military.com in an email. "An individual who identifies themselves as a Gold Star family member at an entrance facility will be thanked for their service and sacrifice and admitted free of charge."

Read next: 2020 Veterans Day Deals, Discounts and Freebies

This story was updated Oct. 29 to reflect a clarification to admission rules for Gold Star family members.

 

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Veterans Day Discounts for Veterans posted 24 Oct 2020

Free barbeque sandwich at Mission Barbeque on Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11.  Enjoy and thank you for serving our country.

Military Advantage

Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

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Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? Okay, it's true that there's ALWAYS a catch - except on Veterans Day.

Many businesses honor Veterans and Servicemembers by offering Veterans Day discounts on goods, services and dining. Most businesses require some proof of military service, this includes a VA Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD-214 (Discharge Papers) or in some cases a picture of the veteran in uniform.

Be aware that not all franchise locations participate in their national chain's Veterans Day programs, be sure contact your nearest establishment to be sure they are participating.

The following islist of current veteran and military discounts, Buy One Get One (BOGO) offerings, and even includes some honest-to-goodness free meals:

Veterans Day Restaurant Offerings:

Abuelo's Mexican Food - Abuelo's offerings vary by region, be sure to call ahead to see what the discounts or freebies are included.

Applebees - All veterans and active duty military eat free from a limited menu at Applebee's on Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

Chili's - Veterans and active duty dine for free from a special limited six item menu on Veterans Day.

Golden Corral - Golden Corral Restaurants' Military Appreciation Monday free dinner will be available on November 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.

Hooters - All Veterans and active duty eat free. The free entrees must be selected from a special Veterans Day menu.

Krispy Kreme – All active-duty, retirees & veterans get a free doughnut on Veterans Day. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants - Participating McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants restaurants offer a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu on a space available basis, online reservations are highly recommended.

Outback Steakhouse - Veterans and active-duty military get a complimentary Bloomin' Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on Veterans Day.

UNO Chicago Grill - UNO is offering a Buy One Get One free offer to Servicemembers or Veterans with a military or veteran I.D. or in uniform or with a photo of themselves in uniform. The Veterans Day BOGO offer includes a free entree or individual pizza, with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value.

Texas Roadhouse – Free meal from opening until 4pm. on Veterans Day. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Veterans and Servicemembers Buy one get one free from Nov 11-14. Contact your nearest location for more details on their Veterans Day BOGO offer.

Veterans Day Retailer Offerings:

The Dollar General - Veterans, Servicemembers (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families will receive a 10-percent discount with a Veterans Day coupon. The coupon may be found in store circular ads or by asking a sales associate.

Home Depot  - Offers a 10 percent discount to all Veterans during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

Lowe's - All veterans receive the 10-percent discount on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The offer is available in stores only and is limited to in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000.

Sam's Club - Sam's give away 36,000 collapsible Hugo Canes on Veterans Day to military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Sam’s Club will require membership for this offer, but proof of service may be necessary.

 

Year-Round Veterans Discounts:

Foot Locker - Veterans, Servicemembers (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families with a Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Card receive a 20 percent discount every day of the year. That offer is good both online and at any store location, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports -- even on sale items. Learn more about the Foot Locker Veterans Advantage offer.

Home Depot  - Offers a 10 percent discount (up to a $500 maximum) to all active military, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other veterans qualify for a 10 percent discount during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Learn more about the Home Depot Military Discount program.

Lowe's - Lowe’s offers a year-round 10 percent discount offer for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees and disabled Servicemembers and their immediate families. All other veterans receive the 10-percent discount on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The discount is available on in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000. The offer can't be used on sales at Lowes.com, on previous sales or on sales of services or gift cards. You must present a valid military I.D. card to receive the discount.

Sports Clips Haircuts - The men's hair salon chain is offering a free haircut to active military and veterans on Veterans Day.