Tons of freebies for vets on Veterans Day

photo Volunteers with the veterans advocacy group Team Red White and Blue unfurl a large American flag Sunday at the National September 11 Memorial in New York. The memorial and museum is honoring veterans through the weekend, leading up to Veterans Day, Nov. 11. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Free food, free park admission and free financial service are among dozens of ways Chattanooga-area businesses are honoring veterans. Veterans Day is tomorrow.

Free Food

• Krystal is offering a free sausage biscuit to veterans and active military personnel tomorrow from 6-10:30 a.m.

• Today through Thursday, Red Lobster is offering free appetizers to veterans and active duty military.

• Chuck E. Cheese is giving 20 free tokens to U.S. military vets and active-duty military through Saturday.

• Tomorrow, Applebee's will offer veterans a special free menu including three-cheese chicken penne, a cheeseburger or an Oriental chicken salad. Guests should provide proof of service by bringing their U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, Veterans Organization Card, or a photograph in uniform, or come in wearing their uniform.

• Applebee's also encourages patrons to show gratitude by leaving a message for current and former military members at ThankYouMovement.com. Visitors may also share the story of a veteran or active service member or military family in need. The nominator should describe the veteran's or service members' situation, include their service and what household item might make their everyday life a little easier. Applebee's is saying "thanks" by also fulfilling some of those needs.

• Chili's will give a free meal to veterans and those on active duty who show proof of military service on Tuesday.

• Cleveland State Community College will provide a free breakfast for veterans from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Campus Kitchen and will host a Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. in the George L. Mathis Student Center Commons area at 3535 Adkisson Drive.

• Also on Tuesday, First Baptist Church of Soddy-Daisy will provide veterans with a free luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, there will be a $5 charge for guests. Contact WV or Linda Roberson to volunteer to help with the luncheon or to bring a dessert.

• IHOP will offer vets and active military free Red, White and Blue pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

• Krispy Kreme will give a free doughnut and small coffee to anyone who identifies himself or herself as a veteran or active duty military tomorrow.

photo An American flag is placed in the sand of Omaha Beach, France, on June 6, 2014.

• Starbucks will offer free coffee to veterans and active duty service members and their spouses on Veterans Day.

• Olive Garden will give a free Veterans Day meal to all active duty military and veterans who provide proof of service on Tuesday.

• At Outback Steakhouse on Tuesday, active duty service members and veterans will be able to try a Bloomin' Onion with a beverage as long as proof of service is shown. Veterans may wear their uniform or show military identification.

• Shoney's will offer its All-American Burger free to vets or active duty military on Tuesday.

• Texas Roadhouse will feed active, former or retired military members a free lunch on Veterans Day.

• Stretching the celebration nearly a week, Golden Corral will serve free dinner buffets with beverages from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, to anyone who is serving or has served in the military.

Free Park admission

• Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will offer free admittance tomorrow in honor of Veterans Day and current U.S. Armed Forces members.

• Little River Canyon National Preserve will offer free admission to the Canyon Mouth picnic area in Fort Payne, Ala., tomorrow. The fee is normally $3.

Free Financial Service

• Kiplinger's Personal Finance will provide free one-day-only access Tuesday to an online tool that will help veterans evaluate their Social Security retirement options. To learn more, visit www.socialsecurityforveterans.com.

Compiled by staff writer Yolanda Putman. Contact her at yputman@timesfreepress.com.

Story updated at 1:27 p.m. to reflect that Krystal is offering a free sausage biscuit, not a free Express Plate Breakfast and coffee.

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