Thank You for Your Service

Veterans Day is about remembering the sacrifices of our soldiers in today’s wars and in wars past. There are military parades and somber reflections, speeches and flags. And for those who remember 11-11 as Armistice Day, there is an even more somber twinge as “the war to end all wars” turned out to be only a precursor of bigger and more horrible wars.

Veterans Day is about remembering the sacrifices of our soldiers in today’s wars and in wars past. There are military parades and somber reflections, speeches and flags. And for those who remember 11-11 as Armistice Day, there is an even more somber twinge as “the war to end all wars” turned out to be only a precursor of bigger and more horrible wars. But in an interesting twist on the very American habit of using Federal holidays for shopping, businesses have taken to offering discounts and gifts to service personnel as a Veterans Day “thank you.” A single instance may sound a little silly – a free donut from Krispy Kreme – but in the aggregate, they form a uniquely American picture of a country that appreciates the service of our troops.

We are indebted to the Band of Brothers USMC Motorcycle Riding Club for the following list:

Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse , Golden Corral, Subway, McCormick & Schmick’s, Krispy Kreme, UNO Chicago Grill, Coushatta Casino Resort (Louisiana), MarketPlace Grill & Express, Masala Wok, Hy-Vee supermarkets, Carolina Burgers & BBQ and Abuelo’s Mexican Food Restaurants are offering restaurant and retail food gifts and specials. “Our Veterans Appreciation Event has become a tradition that our restaurants look forward to each year,” said the CEO of McCormick & Schmick’s.

Brides Across America, Lowe’s & Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Amazon.com, Cabela’s Outdoor Store, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Dollar General, Fashion Bug and the Natural Elements Spa & Salon (Chesapeake, VA) want to say thanks.

So do the National parks, forests and monuments, Knott’s Berry Farm, Colonial Williamsburg, the San Jacinto Museum of History, Historic Jamestown, Battleship Cove, Vicksburg National Military Park, Birmingham Museum of Art, Vulcan Park and Museum (Birmingham, AL), the New Zoo (Green Bay, WI), the Central Florida Zoo, the Strategic Air & Space Museum (Ashland, NE), and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (Oklahoma City, OK).

And lest you think this is only for Veterans Day, there are military discounts available all year (with military ID if you ask) at Arbys, A&W, Back Yard Burgers, Burger King, Captain D’s, Chick-Fil-A, Cotton Patch, Denny’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Farmers Boy, IHOP, Java Café, KFC, Long John Silver, Pancho’s Mexican Buffet, Pizza Hut, Quizno’s, Sizzler, Sonic, Taco Bell and Whataburger.

Likewise, AT&T, California Cryobank, Geico, Jiffy Lube, Meineke, Sears Portrait Studio, Blockbuster, Ripley’s attractions and museums and at many professional sports teams and movie theaters. And Apple Computers, AutoZone, Barnhill’s, Bass Pro Shop, Bath and Body Works, Big 10 Tires, The Buckle, Champs Sports, Copeland’s Sports, Dell, The Discovery Channel Store, Dress Barn, The Finish Line, Foot Action, Footlocker, Gadzooks, GNC, Goody’s, Great Party, Happy Harry’s, Home Depot, Hot Topic, Jockey, Lerner, Lowe’s, Michael’s, NAPA Auto Parts, New York & Company, Pac Sun, Payless Shoes, Play It Again Sports, Pure Beauty, Sally Beauty Supply, Spencer’s Gifts, Suncoast, Timberland Outlets and Wilson’s Leather. And all of the major cell phone providers.

When you do your shopping, consider these companies.

And take an extra moment to consider the courage and sacrifices of our veterans – fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters – who gave us the glorious country in which we live, work, eat, vote and shop.