Military Freebies on Memorial Day

I tracked down some freebies and discounts for our military members on this Memorial Day. Please take advantage of what's just a token of appreciation on this day. Some go beyond today.

Happy Memorial Day! Do you even understand why we're off work today? I'm sure most of us do, but do we treat this day like any other symbolic holiday? I'm sure we do and it only changes for those of us who relate to what Memorial Day is all about.

Memorial Day - A day on which those who died in active military service are remembered, traditionally observed on May 30 but now officially observed on the last Monday in May.

I was in the United States Navy and most of my family has served. I'm super proud of my sister who served, graduated college with her Bachelor of Arts in business, and continues to further her education with the G.I. Bill. I was able to use that same bill to assist in my college, housing, food and the list goes on. The VA Loan also helped get me into a house waving so many fees and locking in a low-interest rate. I will be able to take advantage of that loan for the rest of my life. Those are a few things the military has given back to us. I found a list of some other deals that local stores and businesses are giving back to our veterans on this Memorial Day. Some of these sales go longer.

Take advantage of these small gestures of kindness on Memorial Day. You can't put a price on a human life sacrificed for all of us. There isn't a gesture large enough to offer for those families that live with that void in their lives every day. I always say that a simple thank you goes a long way. If you see someone in a uniform, just walk and say, "thank you for your service." Pay for a coffee if you notice them in line. Let them cut a line you share. Give up your parking space.

Thank you to those who served, continue to serve, and the ones we've lost.

Memorial Day Sales: (Some sales vary by location.)

Outback Steakhouse: All veterans and servicemen and women and their families get 15 percent off their meals through July 4.

Walgreens: Veterans, active military members and gold star families get 20 percent off purchases of most items at the drug store on Monday.

Twin Peaks: Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal on Memorial Day. The meal choices vary from location to location.

Denny’s: All veterans and active duty military personnel receive 20% off their entire check.

Home Depot/Lowe’s: Both hardware stores are offering a 10 percent discount to military members and veterans and their immediate families on all in-store purchases on Monday. Both stores also offer similar discounts on Independence Day and Veterans Day.

Kohls: Coupon for $10 off $25 purchase