Veterans Day

[Debra3131]

In the spirit -- and to celebrate Veteran's Day -- next Wednesday, several major casual-dining restaurants -- including Applebee's, McCormick & Schmick's and Golden Corral -- are offering free food to the nation's military vets and active-duty personnel

Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Bloomin' Onion appetizer and a drink to vets and current military personnel on Wednesday.

Krispy Kreme is giving away donuts, and even Home Depot and Lowe's are getting in on the action offering 10-percent discounts to military.



At Applebee's restaurants around the country, vets and active-duty military can get a free entree on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until midnight. And while Applebee's will ask for military ID, the company says it won't be sticklers for proof.

"We're not going to argue with folks who might forget to bring it," Sam Rothschild, senior vice president of operations for Applebee's told USA Today.

McCormick & Schmick's will give vets a free entree on Sunday instead of on the holiday so that vets can bring their families. The restaurant will also ask for military ID and recommends reservations.

Buffet meals will be free for both veterans and active-duty military at Golden Corral restaurants on Monday, Nov. 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event -- the restaurant chain's ninth annual Military Appreciation Monday -- is not on Veteran's Day so that it doesn't interfere with holiday activities.

Additionally, the Ark Restaurant Group wrote in a e-mail alert to customers that they "will not be charging our soldiers and veterans for their meal on Veterans Day at any of our restaurants on the East Coast."