Armed Forces Day 2020: Deals and freebies for active-duty military and veterans

On Saturday, the nation celebrates Armed Forces Day, which comes in the middle of Armed Forces Month, and is set aside to honor those who serve in the country’s military.

Retailers are taking this opportunity to show their support for the military by offering discounts and freebies to those who have served and are serving now.

Here are a few offers aimed at military members and their families. Some are for this month, while others are available all year.

Note: Because of closures due to the COVID-19 virus, some deals may be delayed or canceled. Check with the business before you go to see if it is open and if the discount is being honored.

  • Academy Sports + Outdoor: Get 10% off for active military and veterans through May 25, in-store and online.
  • Adidas: Verified military members get 40% off.
  • Allen Edmonds: With proof of military service, veterans can get 15% off regular-priced merchandise. ID is required at checkout.
  • Apple: Get a military discount on iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macs through Apple's Military/Government Purchase Program.
  • Armitron.com: If you need a watch, Armitron is offering active duty and military retirees a 10% discount on their Armitron watch purchase at the company's website throughout the year. Military ID verification required. One code per day on the site.
  • Asics: Military members get a 60% discount on all full-priced products online.
  • Big Lots: Active duty military members and veterans get a 15% discount through the end of May.
  • Blanquil: Get 50% off all products for military service members.
  • Blue Star Museums: Blue Star Museums is offering free admission to service members and up to five family members. There are more than 2,000 museums nationwide for service members to choose from. You must show a CAC or dependent ID card for free admission.
  • Blue Star Theatres: You can get complimentary or discounted admission for military members and their families at Blue Star Theatres. There are more than 150 theaters across the country.
  • Boston Market: Veterans Advantage: Members get a 20% discount at all Boston Market locations.
  • Chuck E. Cheese: You can get a pizza deal from Chuck E. Cheese using your military ID. Choose from two deals: Alpha –a large one-topping pizza, four drinks and 45 Play Points for $33.99; or Bravo - two large one-topping pizzas, four drinks and 100 play points for $57.49. The deal is for active duty, guard, reserve and retired members and their dependents, and it is available year-round.
  • Clarks Shoes: Active duty, retirees, veterans, military spouses and family members get 50% off.
  • DoubleTree by Hilton: Active duty and retired military can get the Military Family Rate at participating locations. Military ID is required at check-in.
  • Foot Locker: Active-duty military and veterans can get 15% off most purchases.
  • Home Chef: Get 50% off your first purchase for military members.
  • Home Depot: Get a 10% discount in-store. A valid military ID must be presented to receive the discount. Home Depot does not accept state ID cards with veterans' designation.
  • Hooters: Get 20% off all food takeout orders.
  • HYLETE Athletic Performance Apparel: Military, veterans, and first responders get 50% off through May.
  • Jockey: Jockey offers 10% off to active-duty military, veterans and their families.
  • Karen Kane: Get 20% off all purchases for active duty and veterans and their families with verification.
  • L.L.Bean: Get a 10% military discount for active-duty members, retirees, veterans and reservists. You must have an ID for the discount.
  • La Quinta by Wyndham: Active duty and veterans can get a 12% discount off the best available rate at all La Quinta by Wyndham hotels in the U.S. and Canada. ID required at check-in.
  • Legoland Florida Resort: LEGOLAND is offering free admission to servicemembers for its LEGOLAND Florida park and water park. There are no restrictions or blackout dates. You must show your military ID at the ticket window. There are discounted tickets available or nonactive duty, family members and veterans. For those tickets, check with a military base's Information, Tickets and Travel office.
  • LEGOLAND hotels: Service members may also get a discount at LEGOLAND hotels. The discount, up to 25% off room rates, requires a valid military ID at check-in and is subject to availability.
  • Lenovo: Get a 15% discount off your entire purchase if you are active duty, a reservist, a veteran or an immediate family member. ID is required.
  • Leslie's Pool Supplies: Active duty and veterans get 10% off through May 25.
  • Lowe's: Lowe's offers 10% off purchases for active duty, retirees and veterans. Sign up through the MyLowe's card.
  • Nike: Get 20% off if you are active duty, veteran, retired or reservist on Nike.com and at Nike, Converse and Hurley stores in the United States.
  • Orvis: Get a 10% discount for active-duty military, National Guardsmen and reserves, veterans and their families.
  • Outback Steakhouse: Get the 10% off heroes discount for military personnel and their immediate family members.
  • Red Roof Inn: Get a 10% discount at Red Roof Inn, subject to availability at participating locations. There are some blackout dates.
  • Reebok: Military personnel gets a 50% discount.
  • Rosetta Stone: Get 10% off Rosetta Stone subscription services and lessons.
  • SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place: Get one free admission per year for military personnel and as many as three dependents. The offer is good at your choice of three SeaWorld parks (Florida, Texas, California); the two Busch Gardens parks (Virginia and Florida); and Sesame Place, Pennsylvania. Register with ID.me and show military ID at the front gate.
  • Super 8 by Wyndham: Wyndham Super 8 hotels offer a 15% discount to active duty and retired military members, plus veterans and their families.
  • Tuft & Needle: Get a 15% discount if you are active-duty military or a veteran.
  • Vail Resorts: Vail ski resorts offer the Military Epic Pass for $169 a season. The discount is available to active duty, retired military and family members and includes unlimited and unrestricted access to 18 resorts.
  • Vet Tix: Vet Tix offers free tickets to sporting events, concerts and other entertainment activities to military and veterans. The tickets have been donated to the nonprofit and are available usually for only a small handling fee.
  • Vineyard Vines: Active duty, National Guardsmen and reserves, retirees and veterans get 15% off (some exclusions apply).
  • Walt Disney World: Walt Disney World has several discounts aimed at military members.
  • Westgate Resorts: Military members receive 10% off the best available rate year-round.
  • Zappos: Get a 10% discount off all online purchases at Zappos. Go to Zappos.com/programs to verify eligibility and sign up for the program.

About the Author