Veterans Day is right around the corner, and with the Nov. 11 holiday comes many ways to get involved in Central Texas. Here's a list of events to kick off the national holiday.
Events & Ceremonies
The Carlson Law Firm’s Seventh Annual Veterans Food Truck Rally
- When: Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: 100 E. Central Texas Expressway, Killeen, TX
City of Temple Veterans Day Ceremony
- When: Nov. 9 at 11:30 a.m.
- Where: Railroad & Heritage Museum (315 W. Avenue B, Temple, TX 76501)
Harker Heights Veterans Day Ceremony
- When: Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
- Where: Harker Heights Activities Center (400 Indian Trail)
Mexia ISD Veterans Day Breakfast and Parade
- When: Nov. 10 at 8 a.m.
- Where: Mexia High School (1120 N. Ross, Mexia, TX 76667)
Texas State Technical College Veterans Day Event
- When: Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Where: TSTC’s Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center, Airline Drive, Waco, TX
Jimmy's Egg Annual Veterans Day Roll Call and Breakfast
- When: Nov. 11 at 6 a.m.
- Where: Jimmy's Egg (1103 W. Stan Schlueter Loop, Building B, Suite 100, Killeen, TX)
Waco Veterans Day Parade and 100-Year Celebration
- When: Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
- Where: Austin Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
Presentation of the Congressional Veterans Commendation with Congressman Pete Sessions
- When: Nov. 11 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Heritage Plaza (311 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
Catholic Charities of Central Texas and Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day Celebration
- When: Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Where: Community Living Center, Department of VA (1901 Veterans Memorial Drive, Temple, TX 76504)
Free Meals & Discounts
Nearly all offerings require a valid Military ID.
- Applebee's Grill & Bar: Nov. 11 — Free dine-in entree from special Veterans Day menu for veterans and active-duty service members.
- BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Nov. 11 — Free dine-in entree and a Dr. Pepper to veterans and active-duty service members.
- Bombshells Restaurant & Bar: Nov. 11 — Free entrees and discounts on various items to veterans. Active-duty service members and accompanying families get a 20% discount on entrees and various items. (Excludes alcohol)
- Bubba's 33 (Waco & Killeen): Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Free lunch for veterans and active-duty service members. Those unable to attend can receive raincheck vouchers redeemable through May 30, 2024.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Nov. 11 — Free small wings and fries for veterans and active-duty service members.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Nov. 11 — Free non-alcoholic drink and entree from special menu for veterans and active-duty service members. Dine-in veterans and active-duty service members can also get a voucher for "buy one, get one free pizza, pasta or salad", redeemable through Nov. 12 through Nov. 21.
- Carrabba's Italian Grill: Nov. 11 — Free dine-in appetizer or dessert and a soft drink for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Charley's Philly Steaks: Nov. 11 — Free gourmet fries with the purchase of a cheesesteak and drink for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Chili's Grill & Bar: Nov. 11 — Free dine-in meal from a select menu for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Cici's Pizza: Nov. 11 — Free dine-in buffet for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Cotton Patch Cafe: Nov. 11 — Free chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Nov. 11 — Free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake with a purchase for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Dave & Buster's: Nov. 11 — Free entree up to $20 and a $10 Power Card for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Denny's: Nov. 11 — Free "Build Your Own Grand Slam" breakfast for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Nov. 11 — Free Combo Meal Card redeemable through Nov. 30 for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Golden Corral: Nov. 13 from 5 p.m. to close — Free "Thank You" dinner as part of their Military Appreciation Night for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Hat Creek Burger Company: Nov. 11 — Free "Big Hat Burger" for veterans.
- Hooters: Nov. 11 — Free entree from a special Veterans Day menu with the purchase of a beverage for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Huddle House: Nov. 10 — Free "MVP" meal for veterans and active-duty service members.
- IHOP: Nov. 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Free breakfast from a set menu for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Krispy Kreme: Nov. 11 — Free donut and small coffee for veterans and active-duty service members.
- la Madeleine: Nov. 11 — 30% of any purchase for veterans.
- Little Caesar's: Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Free combo meal for veterans.
- Main Event: Nov. 10-12 — Free classic double cheeseburger and 30 minutes of gameplay at zero cost for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries & Shakes: Nov. 11 — Offering a dine-in buy one, get one free sandwich or burger for veterans and active-duty service members.
- MOD Pizza: Nov. 11 — Offering a buy one MOD-size pizza or salad, get one MOD-size pizza or salad free deal for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Olive Garden Italian Kitchen: Nov. 11 — Free entree from a special menu, including unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks, for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Outback Steakhouse: Nov. 11 — Free "Bloomin' Onion" and a beverage with the purchase of an adult entree for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Pilot Flying J: Nov. 10-12 — Free meal for veterans and active-duty service members and their families through special app offers.
- Pluckers Wing Bar: Nov. 11 — Free entree, side and non-alcoholic beverage for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Pokeworks: Nov. 11-12 — Offering 20% any in-store order for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Red Lobster: Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Free shrimp and chips meal voucher redeemable through Nov. 13 to Dec. 10 for dine-in only veterans and active-duty service members.
- Red Robin Gourmet Burgers: Nov. 11 — Free dine-in "Red’s Big Tavern Burger" and side of endless steak fries for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Scooter's Coffee: Nov. 11 — Veterans can receive one free handcrafted drink of any size.
- Smoothie King: Nov. 11 — Free shake from select Veterans Day menu for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Starbucks: Nov. 11 — Free 12-ounce hot or cold-brewed coffee for veterans, active-duty service members and military spouses.
- Texas Roadhouse: Nov. 11 — Free meal voucher for dine-in veterans and active-duty service members.
- Twin Peaks: Nov. 11 — Free menu item for veterans.
- World of Beer Bar & Kitchen: Nov. 9-12 — Free "Crispy Chicken Sliders" for veterans and active-duty service members.
Retail & Store Discounts
Nearly all offerings require a valid Military ID.
- Academy Sports and Outdoors: Oct. 22-Nov. 12 — Offering 10% off for online and in-store purchases for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Adidas: Nov. 11 — Offering a 40% discount for online orders for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Goodyear Auto Service: Nov. 10-14 — Offering 10% off on services for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Kohl's: Nov. 10-12 — Offering 30% off in-store purchases for veterans, active-duty service members and their immediate families.
- Office Depot and Office Max: Nov. 11-13 — Offering 25% off in-store purchases for all military members.
- Target: Oct. 29-Nov. 11 — Veterans, active-duty members and their family members can save 10% on two purchases through the Target Circle Program.
- Tractor Supply Company: Nov. 11 — Offering a 15% discount in stores for veterans, active-duty service members and their dependants.
- Rack Room Shoes: Nov. 11 — Offering a 20% discount on purchases for veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
- Six Flags Over Texas: Any Day — Offers discount admission passes for first responders and military members.
- SportsClips Haircuts: Nov. 11 — Offering free haircuts to veterans and active-duty service members.
- The Vitamin Shoppe: Nov. 11-13 — Offering 25% off on in-store purchases for veterans and active-duty service members.
- Under Armour: Nov. 11 — Offering 20% off for veterans, active-duty service members and their family members.
- Walgreens: Nov. 10-13 — Veterans and active-duty service members that are myWalgreens members are offered a 20% discount on eligible items for in-store purchases.
