HONORING VALLEY VETS | Check out these Veterans Day events and discounts
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Veterans Day on Wednesday will include a mix of in-person and virtual events and discounts this year.
Here are some ways vets will be recognized in the Mahoning Valley:
Honor a Veteran
The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County is paying tribute to military service members through history with a video presentation that will air on Facebook on Veterans Day.
Photos of veterans, preferably in a uniform, can be emailed to programmingdepartment@libraryvisit.org with their first and last name. Their branch of service, years of service or birth and death date, if applicable, can also be included.
Virtual Veterans Day events
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting various virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a list of some events, and more events can be found on its website:
Musicians On Call is performing a virtual concert for hospitalized veterans. The concert will feature artists including Brad Paisley, Terri Clark, Leon Bridges and more. Starting Monday (Nov. 9), veterans and caregivers can access the concert on Musicians On Call's website.
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie will host National Veterans Day Observance at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Nov. 11) at Arlington National Ceremony. The U.S. Army Military District will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony. VA will stream the ceremony on Facebook and at this link.
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum will host an online ceremony at 10 a.m. on Facebook and YouTube. The program will include messages and remarks from Marine Corps and Navy veteran and Emmy-winning talk-show host Montel Williams; Brice Thorn, an Army veteran and president and CEO of Big Lots Inc.; and Army veteran and NVMM President and CEO Michel Ferriter.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's Veterans Day Ceremony at The Wall will be an online ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
NYC Vets Day Parade will host an online parade experience on Facebook and Twitter. There will be a motorized convoy of 120 vehicles on the traditional parade route, and social media pages will post a profile of a parade participant every 45 to 60 seconds.
Student Veterans of America offers ideas on planning a pandemic-friendly Veterans Day event. There is also a list of campuses across the country hosting events. To learn more, visit its website.
Team RWB will host #WOD4Warriors, which can be joined virtually to complete the event from home on Veterans Day. Visit its website to register for the event.
Veteran Pinning Virtual Ceremony
Heritage Manor Rehabilitation & Retirement Community residents, Levy Gardens Assisted Living tenants and Heritage Manor Adult Day Services participants who are veterans will be honored in a virtual ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Each veteran will be individually recognized and given a certificate and pin. To view the ceremony, visit heritagemanor.org and click on the Zoom link.
Veterans Day Week Food Drive
AMVETS and the FirstEnergy Corporation launched a campaign to provide for veterans and their families in need. Through donations from FirstEnergy employees and matching donations from FirstEnergy Foundation, AMVETS will give funds to the local community to provide resources to fund food donation events.
AMVETS Post #44 Free Grocery Giveaway will be Saturday at 305 Elm St. in Struthers from 10 a.m. until supplies run out. Contact Mary Bundy at pbundy2001@gmail.com for more information.
West Branch schools honor veterans
West Branch Local School District will honor veterans with a drive-thru event Wednesday.
The event will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at West Branch High School.
Veterans are invited to drive through the high school's south parking lot for a small gift as a token of appreciation for service on Veterans Day.
Free admission for Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will provide free museum admission and parking to all veterans and active military, plus a guest, through Nov. 15. During the rest of November and every day, veterans and active military receive $5 off museum admission, and their spouses and dependents under 18 receive $3 off.
Free admission to Akron Zoo
All past and current veterans will receive free admission at the Akron Zoo with valid military ID from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 11. Immediate family members receive 50 percent off admission.
Tickets must be reserved ahead of time. To reserve tickets, call 330-375-2550 at least 24 hours prior to your visit. A valid military ID must be presented at the ticket counter during your visit. Tickets are available via time ticketing to avoid overcrowding, and the time selected for tickets is the time you must enter the park.
VeteRUN Walk & Virtual 5K
On Veteran's Day, a hike on the Quail Hollow-Nature for All Trail will be lined with American flags paying tribute to veterans with signs sharing the story of Stark Parks employees and volunteers who served our country. People can also sign up to participate in the virtual VeteRUN, which is a 3.1-mile run that can be completed at any location through Nov. 13. There is no cost to register for the event, and more information can be found on the website.
Mercy Health ceremonies
Mercy Health — Youngstown will honor veterans with three ceremonies Wednesday: 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital (main entrance flag pole); 1 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital (Park Avenue entrance); 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Warren Hospital (main entrance flag pole).
Deals and discounts
Here is a list of food deals and discounts for veterans and active-duty military:
Applebees is offering a free meal from a limited menu at participating locations for veterans and active-duty military.
Bob Evans restaurants are offering free select menu items to veterans and active-duty military Wednesday.
BJ's Restaurant will have a complimentary entrée and beverage for dine-in from a special Veterans Day menu for all service members.
Buffalo Wild Wings will have free boneless wings and a side of fries all day Wednesday for veterans and active-duty military who dine in.
Chili's Grill and Bar will offer a complimentary meal from a select menu to veterans and active-duty military Wednesday.
Coates Car Care is offering a free exterior car wash to all veterans and active-duty military.
Cracker Barrel will have in-store specials on Veterans Day and throughout November in partnership with Operation Homefront. On Wednesday, veterans can receive a free slice of double fudge Coca-Cola cake with their meal.
Denny's is offering a free Build-Your-Own Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon to all active, non-active or retired military personnel. The option is for dine-in only.
Dunkin' will give a free donut to veterans and active-duty military Wednesday. No purchase necessary.
Eat'n Park will have a special 10 percent discount for the entire month of November.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is offering a lunch or dinner entree for free when dining in with a veteran or active duty service member.
Golden Corral will give active or former military members who have served in the U.S. military a promotional card at participating locations during the month of November that is redeemable for a free meal.
Home Depot will offer all military personnel and veterans a 10 percent discount at all store locations Wednesday.
Little Caesars Pizza will offer veterans and active military members a free lunch combo, which features four slices of Little Caesars' Detroit-style Deep! Deep! Dish pizza, paired with a 20-ounce Pepsi product. The offer is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Mission BBQ will offer a free sandwich to veterans and active-duty military Wednesday.
Red Lobster is offering dine-in guests a free appetizer or dessert Wednesday. Guests need to show a valid military ID or proof of service.
Sheetz is offering a free 6-inch turkey sub and a regular-size fountain drink, plus a free car wash, at any location.
Starbucks will have a free tall (12-ounce) hot brewed coffee for active duty service members, reservists, veterans and military spouses.
Texas Roadhouse will have a special Veterans Day menu that will offer one of 10 free meals. The restaurant will also hand out vouchers for a free meal to all veterans and active-duty military.
Wendy's is offering a free small breakfast combo with a valid military ID. No purchase necessary.
This story was originally published November 10, 2020 at 5:10 PM with the headline "HONORING VALLEY VETS | Check out these Veterans Day events and discounts."