May 20, 2026

Military discounts for Memorial Day and beyond

News

News

During the month of May, discounts are available for veterans and servicemembers at retail, attractions and more. 

The following are discounts for veterans and servicemembers for restaurants, retail, attractions and more throughout May and during Memorial Day weekend. While these have been verified, check your local franchise to be sure that they are honoring the discounts and for more information.

Also, American Legion members receive special discounts through their membership. Learn more about the deals offered at our special discounts page.

RESTAURANTS

Benihana 

This Memorial Day weekend, Benihana proudly honors active military, veterans, first responders and Gold Star Families with a special dine-in offer created to bring family and friends together around the hibachi grill.

From Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25, eligible guests can enjoy a complimentary 5-course hibachi entrée with the purchase of an appetizer.

Fogo de Chao

This Memorial Day weekend, we’re honoring military veterans and active-duty personnel with 50% off a full or indulgent churrasco meal, plus 10% off for each of their guests. Prefer to enjoy Fogo at home? Place an order for pickup or delivery, and we’ll include complimentary Saucy Legs on orders of $75+.

Honey Dew

As Memorial Day approaches, Honey Dew is once again proud to honor the brave men and women who have served our country with a small gesture of gratitude, a free small or medium regular coffee for all veterans, available at Honey Dew locations on Memorial Day. FREE small or medium regular coffee for all veterans.

Starbucks

Join us in supporting those who serve this Military Appreciation Month. For every military eGift card purchased in May, Starbucks will donate $5 to Blue Star Families to support their ongoing work with military communities.

RETAIL

Academy Sports

Now through July, 4, 2026, take 10% off your entire purchase online or in-store. It’s our way of showing appreciation for all you do to protect our nation and serve our local communities. Our seasonal discount is available to both members currently serving active duty and veterans from all five branches, plus the reserves and National Guard.

EyeMart Express

Eyemart Express is recognizing individuals affiliated with the military (active members, non-active members, retirees, veterans and dependents) with a 20% off discount on all prescription eyewear along with 2,000 available frames, lens upgrades, sunglasses, and accessories. These individuals simply need present a valid military ID in stores to take advantage of these savings. Valid IDs include a military DD214 or state-issued card. For dependents, the individual with the military ID must be present at the time of purchase

Pilot

For Military Appreciation Month each week of May, guests with military status verified by ID.me get new offers in the app for a free drink, snack and food item.

Rack Room Shoes

Military personnel can present their valid U.S. military ID to receive a 10% discount on in-store purchases every Tuesday and a 20% discount every Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

Sleep Number

We’re thanking all active, veteran, retired and reservist personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces with an exclusive discount – an additional 5% off your entire purchase.

ATTRACTIONS

Cincinnati Zoo

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers FREE admission to all members of the military on Memorial Day, July 4 and Veterans Day. All members of the military — active and retired — will receive FREE admission to the Zoo on May 25, Memorial Day. The offer also allows military personnel to purchase up to six (6) discounted admission tickets for members of their immediate family.

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is offering FREE single-day admission during May in honor of Military Appreciation Month to all active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, National Guard and their immediate dependents.

Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy, Calif.

Military, veterans and first responders get in FREE during “Salute to Heroes” at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park over Memorial Day Weekend (May 23, 24 and 25).

Indianapolis Zoo

To honor those who serve our country, all current and former military members receive free admission on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The rest of the year, military members and their families receive $2 off general admission, good for up to four tickets per visit. Please bring a form of military ID with you to receive these discounts.

National World War II Museum, New Orleans

Current servicemembers and up to five family members can receive free museum admission now through Labor Day through our partnership with the Blue Star Museums network!

Silverwood Theme Park, Athol, Idaho

American Heroes’ Weekend, May 23, 24, and 25 2026, all military personnel, veterans, police officers, firefighters and EMS (identification required) receive FREE admission to the park on these special event days and their immediate family members (spouse and children) also receive a special discounted rate when purchasing tickets at Silverwood’s front gate! For information call (208) 683-3400.

Susie Enchanted Parks 

This includes World of Fun, Kansas City; Six Flags, St. Louis; Six Flags, Great Escape and many more. Visit Enchantedparks.com for more locations. Susie Enchanted Parks honors members of the U.S. military, veterans and their families. This Memorial Day weekend all parks offer complimentary admission to military members May 23, 24 and 25. In honor of their service, all active and retired members, as well as members of the National Guard, reserves and veterans will receive complimentary admission to Enchanted Parks, Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25. In addition, they may purchase up to six (6) additional single park admission tickets for 40% off the gate price to share with their family and friend. For more information, visit Enchantedparks.com

Vail Resorts

May is National Military Appreciation Month and Vail Resorts is offering its Epic Military Pass starting at just $215 for the 2026/27 season.

What servicemembers get with Epic Pass: Unlimited skiing and riding at resorts like Vail Mountain and Park City Mountain, discounted passes for families and 20% off food, lodging, rentals, and more with Epic Mountain Rewards.

WWI Museum, Kansas City, Mo.

On the Memorial Day of our centennial year, join us as we give special honor and recognition to the individuals who sacrificed their lives while serving their country. The Museum and Memorial will be offering free admission for veterans and active-duty military (including spouses and dependents with ID) as well as half-price admission for the public on Friday, May 22 – Monday, May 25.

I realized today that it has been two years since I last posted. Many of you will not know me because of that.

______________________________________________________________________

I am 86 years old and a veteran. I was an elementary teacher for 22 years. After I retired, I worked at a department store. After that I began writing.

I need to use a walker. I had some serious medical things that happened to me. I got a spinal infection, and it knocked me down. I was bed ridden for several months. Then I woke up one morning and had severe pain in my lower back. I went for E-RAYS and they found that I not only had severe spinal problem, but both of my hips were full of arthritis.

I went to a spine clinic, and they gave me an injection in my right hip for the arthritis. It cleared that up. I had several more procedures to attempt to help with my lower back. I won’t know how that went until March 24th.

I will keep updating you on my well being often.

---

My first book that I finished was called, Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.

The book was published in 2022, and it went on to receive a national award.

My second book, Signs of Hope for Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life is finished, and it will be off to the publisher later today.

This book was a team effort. God and I wrote this book. I really mean that. I looked back at the book today, and wondered how I came with some of the topics. It was God telling me to put them in.

This book will help veterans and current service members cope with life. They will get help with being wounded, PTSD, depression, loneliness, and much more.

I wrote the book as a memoir. I share my time in the military, from basic training, through discharge.

There are some humorous things that happened, and some that broke my heart.

_________________________________________________________________________________

I am glad you are joining me on this adventure, and I will start tomorrow sharing many different things on life, and my daily routine while in the military.

Doug

My first book that I finished was called, Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.

The book was published in 2022, and it went on to receive a national award.

My second book, Signs of Hope for Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life is finished, and t will be off to the publisher later today.

This book was a team effort. God and I wrote this book. I really mean that. I looked back at the book today, and wondered how I came with some of the topics. It was God telling me to put them in.

This book will help veterans and current service members cope with life. They will get help with being wounded, PTSD, depression, loneliness, and much more.

I wrote the book as a memoir. I share my time in the military, from basic training, through discharge.

There are some humorous things that happened, and some that broke my heart.

___________________________________________________________________________________

I am glad you are joining me on this adventure, and I will start tomorrow sharing many different things on life, and my daily routine while in the military.

Doug

Finally I have the promised document ready for you. I had some technical difficulties, and go it straightened out.

Just go to pages, click on it and it should be there. Remember you have to subscribe in order download. That is the only cost to you.

This document is full of resources for you to use to get the help you really need as a veteran, or currently serving.

ENJOY!!

Doug