Freebies for Military and Veterans
Gratitude comes in all forms. Many companies and institutions express their gratitude for military members, veterans, and their families by providing military discounts and freebies. Discover these perks, which include free admission to museums, discounted tickets to entertainment, professional development, and other exciting freebies below.
Entertainment & Travel Freebies for Military and Veterans
9/11 Memorial Museum
The 9/11 Memorial Museum is a place of quiet reflection and education on the tragedy that changed the trajectory of our nation’s history. For their service to our country, the 9/11 museum offers free admission to active-duty and retired military. Tickets can be purchased up to 6 months in advance and provide access to all exhibitions.
America the Beautiful Passes Program
Through the America the Beautiful Passes Program, military members, the National Guard, the Reserve, and their families can receive a free annual pass to National Parks across the country. Passes must be obtained in person at a federal recreation site by showing a valid military or dependent ID. Gold star families and veterans are also eligible for a free lifetime pass.
Blue Star Museums
The Blue Star Museums Program is a partnership for the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families that offers free admission to active-duty military and their families.
Participating museums include the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Constitution Center, the Penn Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim Museum, the Denver Art Museum, the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the National World War II Museum. See more participating museums by state here.
The Baseball Hall of Fame
For baseball lovers, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, is the mecca of all things Baseball. To honor servicemembers and show their appreciation, the Baseball Hall of Fame provides free admission to active duty and retired career military and holds a celebration on Veteran’s Day.
Birdies For the Brave
Birdies For the Brave is an event put on by PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Charities, and the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network to offer free tickets for members of the military and their families for PGA events.
The majority of PGA TOUR tournaments offer free admission for active duty and Reserve military members, military retirees, and their families, as well as discounted tickets for veterans. This organization also holds Military Appreciation Day Celebrations to honor United States Armed Forces and their families.
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum provides visitors with access to official records and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration. Admission is free for Active-Duty Military personnel.
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
The La Brea Tar Pits is a famous fossil site in Los Angeles famous for its preservation of remains of animals from the prehistoric past through the natural asphalt present in this location. Active or retired military members can get free admission with their military ID.
MoMA
The iconic Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City offers active military members one free admission ticket and up to five additional tickets for family members with a valid military ID.
They also offer free admission to military families with dependent cards. Please note that this freebie is separate from the Blue Star Museums Program as MoMA is not a participant.
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Active duty service members receive free admission all year long as apart of the Blue Star Museums program. Households are included in this, too, between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day. You just need to bring your military ID
Vet Tix
Vet Tix provides tickets for sporting events, concerts, performing arts, and family activities to military members currently serving veterans and their families across all 50 states. You must sign up for the program online and verify your military status to view the ticket offers.
Note that for some tickets, a small shipping fee may be necessary. Additionally, individuals can donate tickets they aren’t using to VetTix to pay it forward to military and veterans.
Waves of Honor
The Waves of Honor Program is a family-friendly program for military members and up to 3 direct dependents that provides one complimentary admission per year to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, or Sesame Place.
Military members interested in obtaining this discount must have a valid Active-Duty military ID verified through ID.me. This program also includes free parking.
Find more information about the Waves of Honor Program.
Deployment Services Freebies for Active Military
Build a Sign
Build a Sign offers a free customizable 3’x6’ banner to families welcoming home a deployed military member. While the banner is free, it is necessary to pay for shipping. Since 2008, Build a Sign has given away more than 337,000 signs, a unique but tangible way to show support for active military members.
GreenCare for Troops
GreenCare for Troops is an organization that promotes the importance of green spaces for military families by providing complimentary lawn and landscape services for deployed active-duty military members across all branches. To register for the program, deployment orders are necessary. In addition, this organization has complimentary snow removal services through SnowCare for Troops.
Education & Finance Military Freebies
LinkedIn Premium
LinkedIn is an important networking platform for professionals across many industries. Military members, veterans, and military spouses can receive a free year of LinkedIn Premium by verifying their military status with SheerID. The LinkedIn Premium membership also provides unlimited access to over 10,000 courses through the LinkedIn Learning platform. This platform is a useful resource for individuals who may be transitioning from a military career to a civilian career.
Discover more career-related content on MyMilitaryBenefits.
SaveAndInvest.org
SaveAndInvest.org offers active-duty service members a free credit score and analysis tool, including free FICO credit score access. This program is accessible through the installation’s Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP), which is usually found at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Army Community Service, Fleet & Family Support Center, or Marine Corps Community Services.
Tutor.com
The Department of Defense offers free homework and online tutoring access through Tutor.com. This offer is valid for students in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Reserves, Wounded Warriors, and deployed DoD civilian families. Tutors.com offers over 150 subjects including Spanish, math, writing, social studies, and parent coaching.
Lifestyle Freebies for Military
Brides Across America
The cost of weddings these days are often astronomical, but organizations like Brides Across America offer support to couples through their bi-annual wedding gown giveaways. Military members and their fiancés can receive a free wedding gown during the “Operation Wedding Gown Event”, which are typically held in July and November around Independence Day and Veteran’s Day.
Note that those who have been active-duty military personnel or have had a fiancé who has been active-duty military personnel in the past five years qualify. Those interested in this program can find participating bridal shops in their area through the Brides Across America official site.
USO and What to Expect Foundation
The USO and What to Expect Foundation have partnered to host free baby showers for expectant military mothers worldwide. Since its launch in 2013, the USO Special Delivery program has helped more than 35,000 expectant mothers. Upcoming events can be found on their website.
VeteranRX
VeteranRX is a free prescription discount program for veterans and their families that entitles them to discounts on brand name and generic drugs at over 35,000 pharmacies nationwide. This program also covers pet medication for the furry members of veteran families. Those interested in receiving this benefit can find more information and enroll in the program on the VeteranRX website.
Freebies for military members and veterans rely upon organizations that offer them as a gesture of gratitude for their service. Another way companies and institutions show their appreciation for military service is through discounts. You can find many discounts and resources for military members and veterans through MyMilitaryBenefits.
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(photo courtesy of Mike Goad at Pixabay)
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