Veterans Day events and discounts
(ABC 6 News) – Veterans Day is on Friday, November 11.
Here is a list of events and discounts being offered to veterans to commemorate the day.
EVENTS
Minnesota
The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day will be back in-person this year at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights on Friday, November 11. The event will kick off with a free community breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m. The official program will start at 10:00 a.m. featuring remarks from MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke and elected officials. A livestream of the event is also planned. For more information, CLICK HERE.
Rochester: Enjoy free breakfast and a Veterans Day program on Friday, November 11, at the Rochester International Event Center from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The program will follow from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Speakers include State Senator Dave Senjem, a member of the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial committee, Army veteran Chad Stowers, and talented singer and emcee Brad Boice, a 23-year Army veteran, and several Color Guards.
Rochester: River Bend Assisted Living & Memory Care will honor veterans on Friday, November 11. American Legion Post 92 will host a flag ceremony followed by a program led by Pro Medica Hospice. Music, and pinning and certificates will be presented to each vet.
Rochester: Meadow Lakes Senior Living is honoring their 12 veterans on Friday, November 11 with a ceremony at 1:00 p.m. All residents of the facility along with a representative from VFW and Seasons Hospice will honor each of the veterans with a personalized gift.
Austin: Pacelli Catholic Schools will be hosting a Veterans Day program on Friday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the All Saints Arena Gym. Parents and members of the community are welcome to attend.
Austin: Pay it Forward is giving back to Veterans or Widows of Veterans and will begin application process on November 11th, for an opportunity to update Kitchen faucet, Bathroom faucet and / or toilets in their home.
Austin VFW 1216: A flag retirement ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11.
Albert Lea: Veterans Day programs on Friday, November 11. Southwest Middle School at 8:15 a.m., Halverson Elementary at 9:00 a.m., Sibley Elementary at 1:15 p.m., and Lakeview Elementary at 2:00 p.m.
Byron: Byron Intermediate School is holding a Veterans Day program on Thursday, November 10. Veterans will be presented with a check from the schools Pennies for Patriots fundraiser.
Chatfield: Concert at the High School gym on Thursday, November 10 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Grand Meadow: Breakfast and program for veterans and their guests at the school Legacy Gym starting at 7:45 a.m. on Friday, November 11. Call 507-857-1120 for more information.
Harmony: Program at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11 at the high school.
Preston: Program at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11 at the elementary school.
Le Roy: Program at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 10 at the main school gym.
Mabel: Due to the state volleyball tournament, the Veterans Day program has been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. in the high school gym. The program involves students and staff in grades 5-12.
Rushford: Program at 8:25 a.m. on Friday, November 11 at the main gym.
Spring Valley: Veterans breakfast at Kingsland Cafe at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, November 11. A K-6 assembly at the school gym at 8:10 a.m. and grades 7-12 assembly at the school gym at 8:50 a.m.
Wykoff: Veterans Day recognition at the community center. Meal at 12:00 p.m. with program to follow on Friday, November 11.
Iowa
Mason City: The Mason City Veterans Memorial Association will hold their annual ceremony on Friday, November 11 with assembly and program at 10:30 a.m. at Central Park. A proclamation signed by Mayor Bill Schickel at the November 1 city council meeting will be read. The ceremony will close with a moment of silence and taps. Also, the Mason City Transit system will be offering FREE rides on Veterans Day for all active military and veterans, law enforcement, fire fighters, and emergency services personnel.
Charles City: The FFA Veterans Day program will be at 10:15 a.m. at the Charles City Middle School gym on Friday, November 11. Doors open at 9:45 a.m.
Charles City: The Charles City VFW’s uniform dance will be on Friday, November 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the VFW at 1505 N. Grand Ave. Music by Summer. $10 cover charge, free to veterans in uniform; open to the public.
Nashua-Plainfield: The FFA Veterans Day assembly will be at 10:00 a.m. at the Nashua gym on Friday, November 11. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Rockford: The Veterans Day program will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11 at Rockford High School. It’ll be presented by the Class of 2023.
Marble Rock: The Marble Rock Historical Society Veterans Day soup supper will be on Friday, November 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Walter F. Bohl Community Center. A program will follow at 7:00 p.m. on WWII POWS in Iowa by author Linda McCann.
DISCOUNTS
Scooter’s Coffee: Veterans can receive a FREE handcrafted drink of any size on Friday, November 11. To receive the free drink offer, veterans just need to present their valid military I.D. at a participating Scooter’s Coffee location. The offer is only valid one per person, while supplies last, and is not available for Order Ahead through the Scooter’s Coffee Mobile App. For Scooter’s Coffee locations, CLICK HERE.
Fareway Grocery Stores: Fareway will be offering an in-store ONLY 15% discount to veterans, retired, active-duty, reserve, and guard service members on Friday, November 11. To receive a discount, customers are asked to show their military ID at checkout or identify branch of service. **The offer excludes tobacco, lottery tickets, and gift cards.** For Fareway store locations, CLICK HERE.
Hy-Vee: All veterans and active-duty military members can enjoy a FREE DINE-IN ONLY buffet-style breakfast from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11 at Hy-Vee stores. FREE donuts and coffee will also be offered at all Dollar Fresh Market locations. Additionally, veterans and active-duty military will receive 15% off a grocery purchase on Veterans Day when shopping at Hy-Vee in-store, through Hy-Vee Aisles Online or at Dollar Fresh Market locations using promo code HOMEFRONT15. For Hy-Vee locations, CLICK HERE.
Minnesota State University-Mankato: The College of Allied Health and Nursing on campus is honoring active, reserve, and retired military members by offering a variety of FREE dental, hearing and health services on Thursday, November 10. The services will be held in the University’s Clinical Sciences Building (150 South Road, north of the Taylor Center and east of Ford Hall). Free dental cleanings, exams, x-rays, and fluoride treatments will be provided. Cleanings will be at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. and are by appointment only. Call 507-389-2147. Free hearing screenings will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary. For more information on other services, CLICK HERE.
Applebees: The restaurant will give thanks to all active-duty military, veterans, reserves and National Guard with the offer of an in-restaurant complimentary full-size entrée from an exclusive menu. And when dining at Applebee’s on November 11, these special guests will also receive a $5 Bounce Back Card to redeem for dine-in, To Go, or delivery within a three-week redemption window. More info, HERE.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii: A free cup of coffee for veterans and active-duty military. For more info and to find stores, CLICK HERE.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active-duty military with valid ID will receive free boneless wings and fries on Veterans Day at participating locations. Valid for dine-in only. For more, CLICK HERE.
Caribou Coffee: Veterans, active military members and their spouses receive a free hot brewed coffee on Veterans Day, November 11. For locations, CLICK HERE.
Casey’s General Stores: Service members past and present receive a free cup of freshly brewed coffee by visiting their local Casey’s store on Veterans Day, November 11. For more, CLICK HERE.
Chili’s: Veterans and active-duty servicemembers get a free meal from a select menu on November 11. Available for in-restaurant only. For more info, CLICK HERE.
Denny’s: On November 11, Denny’s will be offering any veterans or active-duty military with a valid ID a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast from 5:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. For more, CLICK HERE.
Dunkin Donuts: On Veterans Day, veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free donut at Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide, no purchase necessary.
Famous Dave’s: On Veterans Day, all former and current military personnel will receive a free Georgia chopped pork sandwich plus a side. Dine-in or to go.
Texas Roadhouse— Veterans and active-duty military receive a meal voucher on November 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. These vouchers are good for dine in or carry out and can be used until May 30, 2023. For more, CLICK HERE.
Olive Garden: This Veterans Day, Olive Garden is offering veterans and active-duty servicemembers a free entrée from a special menu. All entrees include Olive Garden’s famous breadsticks and choice of soup or salad. For more, CLICK HERE.
Outback Steakhouse: This Veterans Day, all military veterans and active service members can enjoy a free bloomin’ onion and Coca-Cola with valid proof of service.
Starbucks: On Friday, November 11, Starbucks will be offering a FREE “tall” (12-oz) hot or iced coffee of choice to active military service members, veterans and military spouses. Just mention your military affiliation when placing your order. For more, CLICK HERE.
Target: Veterans, active-duty military members and their families can get 10% off in-store or online orders. The Military Appreciation Discount runs through November 12 and can be used on two separate transactions. Customers must first register at www.target.com/circle/military to confirm eligibility.
Wendy’s: In honor of Veterans Day, Wendy’s is thanking those who have served or are currently serving with a free breakfast combo offer from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on November 11 with valid military ID or a Veterans Advantage card. For more, CLICK HERE.
Red Lobster: Veterans, active-duty military and reservists can get a free order of Walt’s favorite shrimp and sides, which includes six hand-breaded butterflied shrimp served with cocktail sauce, fries and coleslaw. No substitutions or modifications. The Veterans Day deal is available on November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for dine-in or to-go. For more, CLICK HERE.
Office Depot: All active-duty and retired military personnel get 25% off in-store purchases November 11-13. This coupon and military ID are required.
Little Caesars Pizza: Current military personnel and veterans can receive a free lunch combo, which features four slices of Little Caesars’ popular Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza, paired with a 20-ounce Pepsi product, at participating locations between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. For more, CLICK HERE.
Kohl’s: Active and former military personnel, veterans and their families can get 30% off in-store purchases from November 11-13 with valid military ID. For more, CLICK HERE.
IHOP: Veterans and active-duty military can get free Red, White & Blueberry pancakes from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on November 11. Available for dine-in only. 1 per person. For more, CLICK HERE.
Dollar General: Service members and their immediate family members get 20% off the total purchase in-store or online on November 10-13. For more, CLICK HERE.
Bed, Bath & Beyond: Veterans, active-duty military members and their spouses can get 25% off their entire in-store purchase now through November 11. For more, CLICK HERE.