Memorial Day Freebies for Military and Civilians

As a thank you to service members on Memorial Day, some businesses and restaurants are offering freebies and discounts throughout the day to both military and civilians. Here’s our round-up of some of those freebies.

Free Memorial Day Admission to State Parks
California State Parks will honor active duty and reserve military personnel and veterans of the Armed Forces on Memorial Day 2015 by offering free admission at participating state park. This includes 133 parks, eight State Vehicular Recreation Areas and the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Vets and military personnel must show a valid military ID or proof of honorable discharge to receive free admission.

24-Hour-Fitness
In appreciation and support for millions of active and retired military personnel this Memorial Day, 24-Hour Fitness is offering free access to all guests – not only military – at 24-Hour Fitness clubs nationwide. This freebie is good from May 22 through May 25.

Boston Market
On May 25, Boston Market restaurants will offer 25 percent off any Family Meal for up to $12 in savings. This includes a Ribs Family Meal for six with six sides.

Home Depot & Lowe's
Both of these home improvement stores will offer a 10 percent military discount on Memorial Day weekend to all vets who served honorably who present valid proof of service. Lowe's also has an Everyday 10% Military Discount program for which service members may also qualify.

Red Robin
Red Robin will offer all veterans, retired, active duty and military spouses who are Red Robin Royalty members a free appetizer with any purchase of at least $10 between May 23 and May 25. Military patrons can select from the following free apps: Baja Dip ‘n’ Chips, The O-Ring Shorty, Pretzel Bites, Guac, Salsa & Chips, Classic Mini Wedge Salad, half-order of Bar Wings ‘n’ Yukon Chips or a half-order of Red’s Bold Boneless Wings.

Blue Star Museums
Blue Star Museums – which includes more than 2,000 museums across the U.S. – offers free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel, including the U.S. National Guard and Reserve and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Balboa Park houses many Blue Star Museums, including the Mingei International Museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the San Diego History Center, the San Diego Hall of Champions, the San Diego Museum of Art and the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center.

JcPenney
The department store will offer 20 percent in-store discount this Memorial Day weekend to all current and former military personnel and their families with valid proof of service. This coupon must be printed in order to cash in on this discount.

Knott’s Berry Farm
The Southern California theme park will honor the military by offering free admission to all active, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel during Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25. Bonus: military service members may also buy up to six discounted tickets for family and friends this weekend for both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City. Valid proof of service is required.