Freebies for Military and Veterans
Freebies for Military and Veterans
Gratitude comes in all forms. Many companies and institutions show their gratitude to military members, veterans, and their families with military discounts and freebies. Discover these perks below, including free museum admission, discounted entertainment tickets, professional development, and other exciting freebies.
Entertainment & Travel Freebies for Military and Veterans
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. Obtain passes 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.
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 world’s oldest and largest art museums. Active-duty service members receive free admission through 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
Birdies For the Brave
Birdies For the Brave is an effort by the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Charities, and the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network to offer free tickets to military members and their families for PGA events.
Many PGA TOUR tournaments offer free admission to 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.
Vet Tix
Vet Tix provides tickets for sporting events, concerts, performing arts, and family activities to currently serving military members, 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.
Please note that a small shipping fee may apply to certain tickets. Additionally, individuals can donate unused tickets to VetTix to pay it forward to military personnel 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 free or discounted admission to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, or Sesame Place for qualifying military members and their families. Military members interested in obtaining this discount must have a valid Active-Duty military ID verified through GovX.
Blue Star Museums
Blue Star Museums Program is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, offering free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families. Free admission periods for military communities run from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day.
Past participants have included 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 the current participating museums by state at the Blue Star Museums official site.
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. Although the banner is free, shipping costs are required. 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, you need deployment orders. Additionally, this organization offers complimentary snow removal services through SnowCare for Troops.
Education & Finance Military Freebies
Discover more career-related content on MyMilitaryBenefits.
Military OneSource financial counselors are available in person, over the phone, and online, offering financial counseling and the opportunity to get advice from a trained professional.
Tutor.com
The Department of Defense offers free access to homework and online tutoring through Tutor.com. This offer is valid for students in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space 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 Members
Brides Across America
Wedding costs are often astronomical these days, but organizations like Brides Across America support couples through biannual wedding gown giveaways. Military members and their fiancés can receive a free wedding gown during the “Operation Wedding Gown Event”, which is typically held in July and November around Independence Day and Veterans 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 on the official Brides Across America website.
USO Special Delivery
The USO hosts 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. You can find upcoming events on their website.
VeteranRX
VeteranRX is a prescription discount program for veterans and their families, offering discounts on brand-name and generic medications at over 35,000 pharmacies nationwide. The program also covers pet medication for veterans’ furry family members. Those interested in this benefit can find more information and enroll on the VeteranRX website.
Organizations offer freebies to military members and veterans as a gesture of gratitude for their service. Companies and institutions also show their appreciation for military service through discounts. You can find many discounts and resources for military members and veterans through MyMilitaryBenefits.
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About the author
Sarah Tucci
Sarah is a Philadelphia-based writer. She comes to CollegeRecon with an interdisciplinary background in international relations and cultural heritage with an interest in understanding the intersection of armed conflict and cultural heritage, particularly in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. When not writing for CollegeRecon, Sarah enjoys traveling, watching documentaries, and hanging out with her beloved Pitbull, Brutus.
