By Mike Steely
The East Tennessee Military Affairs Council has release a list of the many veteran events in and around Knoxville. Special programs include not only the parade this Friday downtown but also various events, programs, free and reduced meals by restaurants all in an effort to recognize veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Veterans are reminded to ask free meals when frequenting the businesses and have proper identification reflecting their military service. That includes military ID cards, VA ID cares, paperwork like a copy of the DD 240 discharge, a Driver’s License with a military symbol, veteran organization cards, etc.
Nov. 8 – Veteran’s Day Luncheon – Thursday, November 8 at Hotel Knoxville (aka Marriott), 11am – 1p. Go to www.etmac.org to order tickets. Guest Speaker is Maj Gen Stephen A Clark, UT Air Force ROTC graduate with special ops background. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108737/major-general-stephen-a-clark/
Nov. 8 – “Remembering our Fallen” opening ceremony 7:30 pm with Gold Star Families at UT campus. See info at https://www.patrioticproductions.org/rememberingourfallen
YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpoMFcl4hJM
Open until 4pm on Veteran’s Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. Remembering Our Fallen is a photographic war memorial that honors our country’s military Fallen from The War on Terror (9/11/2001 – Present). Unlike brick and mortar memorials, Remembering Our Fallen is designed to travel and includes both military and personal photos. Its legacy will be that these men and women will be remembered and their names will be spoken, while helping to lessen the grief of their families. A Gold Star family’s greatest fear is that their Fallen will be forgotten…
Nov. 9 – 93rd Annual American Legion Veteran’s Day Parade – http://legionknox.com/?page_id=128 Friday, November 9th at 10:40am on Gay Street, downtown Knoxville with Captain Bill Robinson as Grand Marshal http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1116 and Air Force Maj Gen Stephen Clark as the reviewing officer. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108737/major-general-stephen-a-clark/
Nov. 9 – 11: University of Tennessee’s “Salute to Service” weekend and additional military initiatives on Nov. 9-11. See website for all the details: https://utsports.com/news/2018/10/18/general-tennessee-athletics-announces-salute-to-service-weekend-and-military-initiatives.aspx
Nov. 11: The ‘Bells of Peace’ campaign calls for a national bell tolling across the country at 11 a.m. on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, to mark the centennial of the end of World War I. Now, Bells of Peace has a smartphone app to help groups or individuals, who want to participate, especially those who do not have access to bells. The new app is free, and is available for either Apple or Android platforms. Search for ‘Bells of Peace’ in either app store or visit the World War I Centennial Commission website here for a link https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/5505-welcome-to-the-bells-of-peace-app.html .
Nov. 11 – East Tennessee Veterans Memorial (https://etvma.org/) at World’s Fair Park will host the “Sounds of Remembrance” on November 11, 2018, at precisely 11:00 am when buglers and trumpeters from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War with a worldwide sounding of Taps and The Last Post, sponsored by Taps for Veterans. Each performer will sound their call at a location of their choosing. For details, go to https://tapsforveterans.org/soundsofremembrance/
Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day Spaghetti Luncheon at Faith Encounter Church, 2342 Duncan Road, Maryville, TN at 1300, after morning service. Website: http://www.faithencounter.church/ Contact Michael Williams, 865-336-4955 or email: michael.e.williams124.mil@mail.mil
Nov. 13 – Christian Academy of Knoxville will hold its annual Veterans Day program on Tuesday, November 13 at 10 am in the Campus Center Gym (529 Academy Way, Knoxville 37923). Proud Vietnam Veteran Reverend Pat Polis of Washington Pike United Methodist Church will be our featured speaker. A wide musical assortment of live patriotic music provided by the Warrior Band and various school choirs will be enjoyed as well with each branch being distinctly honored during the Armed Forces tribute song. This is a very moving program in which veterans are sure to leave feeling honored and appreciated! RSVP for you and your guests no later than November 8, by emailing events@cakmail.org. All large groups are encouraged to arrive by 9:40 a.m. to allow for ample seating time. http://www.cakwarriors.com/
Dental and Eye Service offers: – MUST CALL FOR APPT.
Nov. 10 – Dental Care of Powell – Free Dental services at 574 E Emory Road, Powell, TN 37849. https://www.dentalcareofpowell.com/ Services include one free cleaning, filling or extraction between 8a – 5p on a first-come, first-serve basis. For information, call (865) 859-9553 or visit http://www.freedentistryday.org/
Nov. 11 – Great Clips – Free haircut on Veteran’s Day Nov. 11, or receive a free haircut card to use at a later date. Non-military customers who purchase a service on Veterans Day can receive a free haircut card to give to a veteran they know. Haircut cards are redeemable until Dec. 31. https://www.greatclips.com/promotions/veterans-day
Nov. 12 – Premier Eye Care – Free eye exams at 11111 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37934 for uninsured veterans on Monday, November 12, 7:30a – 4:30p. Call 865-966-0100 for appointment. Limited appointments available, NO walk-ins. https://www.premier-eyecare.net/
DINING OFFERS: (CALL ESTABLISHMENT FOR CONFIRMATION THEY ARE OFFERING SPECIAL)
Applebee’s –Free entree on Veteran’s Day, November 11 from a special menu. 10% discount available year round. https://www.goldencorral.com/military-appreciation/
Back Yard Burgers – Free Classic Burger at participating locations on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. 20% discount available year-round. https://www.backyardburgers.com/
Bob Evans – Free meal on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 from a special menu. https://themilitarywallet.com/bob-evans-military-discount/
Bonefish Grill – free bang bang shrimp at participating locations on Veteran’s Day, Nov 11. https://www.bonefishgrill.com/
Buffalo Wild Wings – Free order of wings and a side of fries at participating locations on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 at participating locations. Dine-in only. https://www.buffalowildwings.com/
Calhoun’s – Free meal from a special menu on Veteran’s Day, Nov 11. https://calhouns.com/
Carrabba’s – Free appetizer on Nov. 11 – 13 with the purchase of an entree and a Coca-Cola beverage. https://www.carrabbas.com/
Chicken Salad Chick – Free chick special and regular drink on Monday, Nov. 12 at participating locations. https://www.chickensaladchick.com/
Chili’s – Free meal at participating locations on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. https://www.chilis.com/
Chipotle – Buy-one-get-one (BOGO) on a weekday evening prior to Veteran’s Day. Specific day not yet released. Watch facebook for the announcement: https://www.facebook.com/chipotle/ or website: https://www.chipotle.com/
Chuck E. Cheese’s – Free personal one-topping pizza at participating locations on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. See website for year round specials for military – https://www.chuckecheese.com/coupons-deals/military-discounts
Cici’s Pizza – Free buffet on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. https://www.cicis.com/
Connor’s Steak and Seafood – 50% off Lunch or Dinner Meal on Veteran’s Day, Nov 11 and Monday, Nov. 12. Dine-in only.
Cracker Barrel – Free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 at all 640+ Cracker Barrel locations. https://www.crackerbarrel.com/
Denny’s – Free Build Your Own Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon, at participating locations. https://www.dennys.com/
Dunkin’ Donuts free donut while supplies last. One per customer. No purchase required. https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en
Famous Dave’s – Free Meal of a Two Meat BBQ Salute all day both Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 and Monday, Nov. 12. https://www.famousdaves.com/dinein/Knoxville
Fazoli’s – Free Spaghetti with Meat sauce or Marinara on Veterans Day Nov. 11 at participating locations. No purchase necessary. Family members will be offered a $1.99 Spaghetti with Marinara or Meat Sauce with Drink Purchase. https://m.fazolis.com/
Golden Corral – Veterans and active-duty members get a free thank-you dinner as part of Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night on Monday, November 12, 2018. https://www.goldencorral.com/military-appreciation/
Hooters – Free Meal from a special menu on Veteran’s Day, Nov 11 at participating locations. dine-in only. https://www.facebook.com/events/356190551797253/?active_tab=about
Huddle House – Free sweet cakes on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. https://calhouns.com/
IHOP – Free order of Red, White & Blue Pancakes on Monday, November 12 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at participating IHOP locations. Dine-in only. https://www.ihop.com/en
Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut with small coffee on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 at participating locations. No purchase necessary. Dine-in only, not valid in drive thru. https://www.krispykreme.com/
Little Caesars – Free lunch combo on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a free $5 lunch combo – four slices of Little Caesars Detroit-style DEEP!DEEP!™ Dish pizza, plus a 20 oz Pepsi product. https://littlecaesars.com/en-us/
Longhorn Steakhouse – Free appetizer or dessert and 10% off of their table’s total check on Veteran’s Day, November 11. https://littlecaesars.com/en-us/
Main Event Entertainment’s Free meal and $10 FUNcard. https://events.accessatlanta.com/event/main-event-honors-our-nation-s-military-this-veterans-day-evhab5vzwd
Menchie’s frozen yogurt – Free 6oz cup of yogurt at participating locations on Veteran’s Day, Nov 11. https://www.menchies.com/
O’Charley’s – Free meal on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 and Monday, Nov. 12 from a special menu. ocharleys.com
Olive Garden – Free meal from a special menu Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 from a special menu. https://www.menchies.com/
Outback Steakhouse – Free Bloomin Onion and beverage (coke product) on Veteran’s Day, Nov 11. Also, any military member, police officer, firefighter, or first responder who orders between November 8 and November 10, will get 20% off their entire check. https://www.outback.com/
Red Lobster – Free appetizer or dessert on Sunday, Nov. 11 or Mon. Nov 12. https://www.outback.com/
Red Robin – Free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Fries on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 at participating locations. No purchase necessary. Dine-in only. https://www.outback.com/
Ruby Tuesday – Free appetizer up to a $10 Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 at participating locations. Dine-in only. https://www.rubytuesday.com/
Shoney’s – Free All-You-Care-To-Eat Breakfast Fresh Food Bar for all veterans and active military (who have a valid military ID). Takes place 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Veterans Day. https://www.shoneys.com/
Texas Roadhouse – Free lunch on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 from a special menu. Dine-in only. Call for lunch hours. https://www.texasroadhouse.com/
TGI Fridays – Free lunch-menu item up to $12 or from a special menu, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 and Monday, Nov. 12. Dine-in only. https://www.tgifridays.com/
Twin Peaks – Free meal on Monday, Nov. 12 from a special menu at participating locations. https://www.facebook.com/events/276106159694584/
Weigel’s Stores –Free medium coffee or cappuccino on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. https://weigels.com/
Lowe’s –10 % off discount program but must sign up online for the personal shopping card to receive this discount https://www.lowes.com/mylowes/login?context=military
Home Depot – 10% off discount https://twitter.com/HomeDepotCareer/status/845284572795473920
Red Roof Inn – 20% nationwide discount. See details at https://www.redroof.com/deals/partner/veterans_advantage
Hyatt – 10-15% off going rates. See details at https://newsroom.hyatt.com/news-releases?item=123745
SportsClips – Free haircut at participating locations. https://newsroom.hyatt.com/news-releases?item=123745
Tractor Supply Co. – 15% off entire purchase on Nov. 11. https://www.tractorsupply.com/
Meineke – Free Oil change at participating Meineke locations. https://www.meineke.com/
TENNESSEE:
Andrew Jasckson’s Hermitage – Hermitage, TN https://thehermitage.com/
Saturday, Nov 11, all active and retired military receive free admission. All weekend, active and retired military receive 1/2 off general admission for up to 4 family members with the purchase of a Field of Honor flag.
NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains – Sevierville, TN https://nascarspeedpark.com/
No entrance fee for active military and veterans and each member of the active military or veteran’s party, will receive a $2 discount off Unlimited Ride Wristbands.
