All Day, All Night Freebies for Veterans, Troops on Veterans Day
To honor the sacrifices and service of U.S. troops and veterans, many places across the nation are offering freebies to them on Monday, Veterans Day. The freebies range from food and drinks to haircuts and massage.
Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a free Applebee's Signature Entree in all their U.S. restaurants, according to veteransdayfreebies.com.
California Pizza Kitchen is offering a free pizza for dine-in, saying, "Real Pizzas for Real Heroes."
Bob Evans restaurants will give free all-you-can-eat hotcakes. "These dedicated men and women have served us, now we're proud to serve them a free breakfast on Veteran's Day," CBS Detroit quotes President of Bob Evans Restaurants Randy Hicks as saying. "We're grateful for their service to country and a heaping stack of hotcakes is our way of saying thank you."
Other eatery offering free stuff include Chili's, Denny's, Einstein Bros Bagels and Noah's New York Bagels, Famous Dave's, Friendly's A, Golden Corral, Hooters, Krispy Kreme, Longhorn Steakhouse, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Sizzler, Spaghetti Warehouse, Starbucks, Texas Roadhouse, TGI Friday's and Walgreens.
"In celebration of the nation's armed forces, all guests are welcome for complimentary workouts at 24 Hour Fitness clubs nationwide November 8 to November 11," says the fitness club.
The Detroit Zoo is offering free admission to troops and veterans. "We're grateful to the men and women who keep our nation safe and thank them for their service," Detroit Zoo Director Ron Kagan tells CBS Detroit.
Even haircuts and massages are being offered free. Great Clips says vets can walk in without appointment to get free haircuts. Massage Envy shops in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia region are offering a free, one-hour massage with appointment.
"On Veterans Day, America pauses to honor every service member who has ever worn one of our Nation's uniforms," President Barack Obama said in his Veterans Day proclamation. "Each time our country has come under attack, they have risen in her defense. Each time our freedoms have come under assault, they have responded with resolve. Through the generations, their courage and sacrifice have allowed our Republic to flourish. And today, a Nation acknowledges its profound debt of gratitude to the patriots who have kept it whole."
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. "However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of "the war to end all wars."
Veterans Day is "a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good."