As a service to veterans, we’d like to share the following opportunities offered by many national restaurants and retailers to veterans and active duty military in honor of Veterans Day. Please note: all of these offers require verification with a military ID or proof of service. This list is not all inclusive of deals that are available.

• Anheuser Busch Parks: Throughout 2011, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. The Here’s to the Heroes program is only available to active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman. Eligible parks include: Adventure Island, Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay or Williamsburg), SeaWorld (Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio), Sesame Place, and Water Country USA. Not valid at Discovery Cove and Aquatica. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., is not included as part of this program.
• Applebees: All veterans and active duty military personnel eat free from a limited menu.
• Buca di Beppo: Veterans and active duty personnel will receive a free Buca small spaghetti marinara pasta with the purchase of any Buca small or Buca large pasta, baked pasta or entrée.
• Chili’s: Veterans and active duty personnel dine for free from a special limited six item menu.
• Golden Corral: Free dinner on November 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. Military, retirees, veterans, active duty personnel, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.
• Home Depot and Lowes: 10 percent military discount available every day.
• Hooters: Veterans and active duty personnel get 10 free wings.
• Krispy Kreme: All active duty personnel, retirees and veterans get a free donut on Veterans Day.
• Knott’s Berry Farm: Free admission from November 1 to 24 for veterans and one guest. Purchase up to six additional tickets for only $17 each.
• McKormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants: McCormick and Schmick’s is celebrating its 13th annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée. Valid at participating restaurants only.
• National Parks: Free admission for veterans from November 11 to 13, 2011.
• Outback Steakhouse: Veterans and active duty personnel get a complimentary Bloomin’ Onion and non-alcoholic beverage.
• UNO Chicago Grill: Buy one get one free offer to active duty personnel and veterans. This includes a free entrée or individual pizza, with the purchase of an entrée or pizza of equal or greater value.
• Sport Clips: Free haircut to active duty personnel and veterans at participating locations.
• Texas Roadhouse: Free meal from opening until 4 p.m. for veterans and active duty personnel.
• T.G.I Friday’s: Veterans and active duty personnel buy one get one free from November 11 to 14.
• Tijuana Flats: Veterans and active duty personnel receive 50 percent off entrées.
• Sam’s Club: Free Hugo Canes for veterans in need of mobility assistance. Offer ends November 11, 2011. Only while supplies last, limited quantities available.
• Subway: Free six-inch sub to veterans on Veterans Day. Subway restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead.
• 7-Eleven: Free small Slurpee from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information on how the Elks are serving veterans year-round, click here.

In 2011-12, the Elks National Foundation allocated more than $1.135 million to fund the Elks Veterans Service Commission. For more information on the Veterans Service Commission, visit www.elks.org/vets.