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Freebies for Military and Veterans

Sarah Tucci

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

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 all year long as part 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

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 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.

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 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.

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. Please note that a small shipping fee may be applicable for 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 and discounted admission for qualifying military members and family to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, or Sesame Place. Military members interested in obtaining this discount must have a valid Active-Duty military ID verified through GovX.

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. In recognition of their service to our country, the 9/11 Museum offers free admission to active-duty and retired military personnel. Tickets can be purchased up to 6 months in advance and provide access to all exhibitions.

Blue Star Museums

The 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. There are free admission periods for military communities starting on Armed Forces Day and ending on Labor Day.

Participating museums in the past 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.

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 Veterans Day.

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 and retired military personnel can receive free admission with their military identification.

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, deployment orders are necessary.  Additionally, this organization offers complimentary snow removal services through SnowCare for Troops.

Education & Finance Military Freebies

Discover more career-related content on MyMilitaryBenefits.

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

Brides Across America

The cost of weddings these days is 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 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 through the Brides Across America official site.

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. Upcoming events can be found 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. This program also covers pet medication for the furry family members of veterans. 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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