Veterans Day means ceremonies and parades. To celebrate, national chains and local businesses and organizations are offering our hometown heroes a variety of freebies and specials.
(To take advantage of the offers, you’ll need proof of service, so be sure to check ahead for the specific ID required. Unless otherwise noted, offers are available on Wednesday, Nov. 11.)
>>The Connecticut Science Center in Hartford offers veterans and military personnel free general admission. Information: ctsciencecenter.org or 860-724-3623.
>>Old Sturbridge Village is offering free admission to all active military personnel, veterans and family members, up to six people. Information: osv.org.
>>Chimirri’s Italian Pastry Shoppe, 1075 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, is giving away free slices of Hartford cream pie or pastry for veterans and active-duty military personnel. Information: chimirrispastry.com or 860-529-2527.
>>Since 2004, the national organization Grace For Vets has offered veterans and service personnel free car washes on Veterans Day. Hundreds of car-wash businesses participate, including more than 60 in Connecticut. Check graceforvets.org for locations.
>>Veterans and active-duty military personnel get lunch, including entrée, sides and soft drink, on the house at Texas Roadhouse restaurants from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine-in only. Information: texasroadhouse.com.
>>Active military personnel and veterans get a free stack of Red, White and Blue Pancakes at participating IHOP restaurants. Offer is available from 7a.m. to 7 p.m.
>>Veterans and active-duty military personnel get a Tavern Double burger and fries at Red Robin restaurants. Information: redrobin.com.
>>On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina restaurants thank military members with free dinners from the “Create Your Own Combo” menu. Dine-in only. Information: ontheborder.com.
>>Active military personnel and veterans visiting a Great Clips salon receive either a free haircut or a free haircut card that can be used any time through the end of 2015. Information: greatclips.com.
>>From Nov. 9 through Nov. 12, service members get a complimentary appetizer or dessert at Red Lobster restaurants. Information: redlobster.com.
>>At LongHorn Steakhouses, service members receive a complimentary “Texas Tonion,” which is an onion appetizer, and a nonalcoholic beverage. Information: longhornsteakhouse.com.
>>Veterans and active-duty military personnel get a free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and a beverage at Outback Steakhouses. (Deployed military personnel who register at Outback.com/Military by Dec. 31 will get a voucher for free Bloomin’ Onion via email.) Information: outback.com.
>>Participating Friendly’s locations in Connecticut are offering a complimentary Big-Two-Do breakfast and coffee or an All-American burger, fries and beverage to veterans and active military personnel. Information: friendlys.com.
>>Angelico’s Lake House Restaurant, 81 North Main St., in East Hampton, is offering active service members and veterans complimentary dinner entrees from a special Veterans Day menu. Call for reservations. Information: 860-267-1276 or angelicoslakehouse.com.
>>Veterans and active-duty service members get free general admission at Mystic Aquarium from Nov. 7 through Nov. 11. Family members get special discounts. Information: mysticaquarium.org.
>>Veterans and active military personnel get free admission at The New Children’s Museum of West Hartford from Nov. 11 through Nov. 15. Accompanying guests get a 50 percent discount off their admission. Information: TheChildrensMuseumCT.org.
>>Veterans get a free meal from a special, fixed menu at Arroga’s Grill House & Sports Bar at Mohegan Sun Casino. Information: mohegansun.com.
>>Active-duty military personnel and veterans get a free entree, up to $10.99, at participating Hooters restaurants. Information: hooters.com.
>>Active, inactive and retired military personnel get a Build Your Own Grand Slam for free at Denny’s restaurants from 5 a.m. to noon on Veterans Day. Check dennys.com for locations.
>>Veterans and active-duty military personnel get a free meals at Applebee’s restaurants. Dine-in only. Information: applebees.com.
>>Veterans and active military personnel get a free entree from a special menu at Olive Garden restaurants. Family members dining with service members get a 10 percent discount on meals. Information: olivegarden.com.
>>Lunch is free for active-duty military personnel and veterans at participating TGI Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: tgifridays.com.
>>California Pizza Kitchens are offering veterans and active military personnel a free meal from a special menu. Information: cpk.com.
>>Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants honor veterans and active-duty military personnel with a free entrée from a special menu all day. Information: chilis.com.
