Veterans Day 2023: Find ceremonies, discounts around Corpus Christi
The United States celebrates Veterans Day in 2023 on Saturday, Nov. 11, and several groups around Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend are hosting events. Take the time to honor veterans' service to the country by attending these ceremonies.
Miller High School NJROTC Veterans Day ceremony
Roy Miller High School NJROTC presents their annual Veterans Day ceremony at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Miller’s main gym, 1 Battlin Buc Blvd. The ceremony includes a full Military Color Guard presentation with each of the military branches represented by their individual flags. Information: 361-878-5100 or Jose.Hernandez@ccisd.us.
Veterans Day Breakfast in Robstown
The City of Robstown hosts a Veterans Day Breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Robstown City Hall Council Chambers, 101 E. Main St., Robstown. Join the City of Robstown for a Veterans Day Breakfast as local veterans are recognized, honored, and celebrated for the sacrifices they have made for the country. Information: https://www.facebook.com/cottoncommunitypartnership.
Coastal Bend Field of Honor flag display
The third annual Coastal Bend Field of Honor will be on display Thursday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Dec. 1, at Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds, 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd., Robstown. The Coastal Bend area is home to many U.S. veterans, their families, and their surviving loved ones. People can sponsor a flag for $50 each. A dedication ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the fairgrounds. Information: https://www.rmbfairgrounds.com/events/3rd-annual-feild-of-honor.
Kingsville Veterans Parade
VFW Post 2375 hosts its 15th annual Veterans Parade at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in downtown Kingsville. The parade lineup begins at the Kleberg County Courthouse, 700 E. Kleberg Ave., Kingsville. Information: 361-455-5060 or omoreno@kingsvilleisd.com.
Veterans Day ceremony at Sherrill Park
The Mayor’s Committee for Veteran Affairs will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park, 222 S. Shoreline Blvd. Information: 361-826-7529.
Veterans Day service in Rockport
A Veterans Day service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park on N. Austin Street, Rockport. Featuring guest speaker Katy Jackson, VFW Post 3904 Commander. A free lunch will follow at the American Legion, 1701 S. Church St., Rockport. Information: 361-729-2213.
Veterans Day service in Portland
The city of Portland presents a Veterans Day ceremony at noon Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Portland Veterans Memorial, 2000 Billy G. Webb Drive, Portland. The local Veterans Band will perform, and Mayor Cathy Skurow will deliver remarks. Information: 361-777-4500.
Veterans Day celebration with CC Harley Davidson
Corpus Christi Harley Davidson presents a Veterans Day Cookout from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at 502 S. Padre Island Drive. Join in celebrating and appreciating our veterans with free burgers and dogs grilled by the Combat Vets, free beer with the CC Harley Girls, live music by The Rockaholics, a turkey toss contest to win a free mileage service at 2:30 p.m., a pie eating contest at 3 p.m. for a CCHD apparel bundle, and a50/50 raffle with CCHOG. Cost: Free, items available for purchase. Information: https://www.facebook.com/corpuschristihd/.
USS Lexington Veterans Day ceremony
The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay presents a Veterans Day ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd. U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud will be the guest speaker for this event. The Veterans Band will be aboard to play patriotic music, and the Color Guard will be from the Texas Division Sea Cadets Information: 361-888-4873 or https://www.usslexington.com/.
Quilts of Valor presentation in Sinton
The Battle-Scarred Bandaids host a Quilts of Valor presentation at noon Sunday, Nov. 12, at Back Street Restaurant, 106 E. Borden St., Sinton. Local veterans will be presented with full-size, handmade quilts which are awarded to U.S. military service members and veterans who have been touched by war. The Veterans Band of Corpus Christi will perform during the informal ceremony. The public is invited to come help honor the quilt recipients. Food will be available for purchase. RSVP: 361-424-0965.
Flags for Heroes display on Ocean Drive
The Rotary Club of Corpus Christi presents a Flags for Heroes from Nov. 11-19. American flags will be placed in Doddridge Park, Ropes Park, Cole Park and Oleander Point along Ocean Drive, each sponsored by businesses and individuals to commemorate a hero. On Wednesday, Nov. 15, the community is invited to drive by the display between 5-5:45 p.m. for a Honk Your Horn for Your Heroes event followed by the playing of taps at 6 p.m. near the Aviator Statute at Ropes Park. Cost: Free for celebration; $50 to sponsor flag. Information: 361-882-8672 or https://flagsforheroescc.org/.
Free food and drinks for military and veterans
Many businesses offer free meals or discounts to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day. Below is a roundup of Corpus Christi area restaurants and
Applebee’s offers a free entrée from a select menu to all veterans and active-duty military on Saturday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service required. Locations are 6691 S. Padre Island Drive in Corpus Christi and 1820 U.S. Highway 181 in Portland. Information: https://www.applebees.com/en/veterans-day-free-meals.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, 5037 S. Padre Island Dr., offers all current and former military a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with a minimum purchase of $11.95 on Saturday, Nov. 11. Offer valid for dine-in only and must present valid military ID. Information: https://www.bjsrestaurants.com/marketing-pages/veterans-day.
Bubba’s 33, 1921 S. Padre Island Drive, offers free lunch to all veterans (active, retired and former U.S. military) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Choose one of six entrée selections, or receive a raincheck good through May 30, 2024. Proof of service includes military or VA card, or discharge papers. Information: 361-806-2933.
Buffalo Wild Wings, 2001 S. Padre Island Dr., offers a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries for active and retired armed services members. No substitutions, upgrades or add-ons. Must present valid ID. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/buffalo-wild-wings-veterans-day-military-discount.
Chili’s offers a free meal from a select menu to all veterans and active military personnel on Saturday, Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Locations are 5542 S. Padre Island Drive, 4120 U.S. Hwy. 77 (Calallen) and 2010 Hwy. 181 North, Portland. Information: https://www.chilis.com/restaurant-events/veterans-day.
Cracker Barrel, 4229 S. Padre Island Drive, offers veterans a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola cake on Saturday, Nov. 11. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/cracker-barrel-veterans-day-military-discount.
Dave & Buster’s, 5488 S. Padre Island Drive Ste 1260, offers veterans a free entree (up to $20) and a free $10 Power Card with a valid military ID card on Saturday, Nov. 11. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/dave-busters-veterans-day-military-discount.
Denny’s offers a free Original Grand Slam to veterans and military personnel from 5 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 10. Dine in only and must present valid military ID. Locations are 4918 S. Padre Island Drive, 5165 IH 37, and 1670 U.S. Hwy. 181, Portland. Information: https://www.dennys.com/.
Dunkin' offers a free donut to all veterans and active-duty military on Saturday, Nov. 11. No purchase necessary, while supplies last. Limit one per customer. Offer available in-store only. Not available for orders placed using On-the-Go Mobile Ordering through the Dunkin’ Mobile App. Locations are 6093 Saratoga Blvd. and 6510 Weber Road. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/dunkin-donuts-veterans-day-military-discount.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 4018 S. Padre Island Drive, offers all veterans and active military personnel a card good for a free Freddy’s Original Double with Cheese combo meal on Saturday, Nov. 11. No purchase is necessary, and the card is redeemable through Thursday, Nov. 30. Information: https://www.freddys.com/veterans-day.
Freebirds World Burrito, 5425 S. Padre Island Drive Ste. 139, offers free burritos to veterans and active military personnel with a valid military ID on Saturday, Nov. 11. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/freebirds-world-burrito-veterans-day-military-discount.
Golden Corral, 5901 S. Padre Island Drive, offers a free “thank you” dinner to any person who has served in the U.S. military (retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves) from 5 p.m. to close, Monday, Nov. 13. Information: 361-991-2838 or https://www.goldencorral.com/military-appreciation/.
Hot Chicken Run, 6917 S. Staples St. Ste. 105, offers veterans 25% off their meal on Saturday, Nov. 11. Must present valid ID. Information: 361-334-0599 or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553023619424.
IHOP offers a free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes to veterans and active-duty military from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Dine-in only and military ID required. Locations are 5202 S. Padre Island Drive, 2037 S. Padre Island Drive and 1830 U.S. Hwy 181, Portland. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/ihop-veterans-day-military-discount.
Olive Garden, 5258 S. Padre Island Drive, offers veterans and active-duty military a free entrée from a select menu on Saturday, Nov. 11. Dine-in only, must bring proof of service. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/olive-garden-veterans-day-military-discount.
Outback Steakhouse, 4221 S. Padre Island Drive, offers all active and retired military personnel a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage on Saturday, Nov. 11. They will also offer the "daily heroes discount" with 10% off entire checks for nurses, doctors, medical staff, military veterans, police, firefighters and first responders Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/outback-steakhouse-veterans-day-military-discount.
Red Lobster, 5825 S. Padre Island Drive, offers veterans, active-duty military and reservists a free a meal voucher from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. The voucher may be redeemed between Nov. 14 and Dec. 10. Must present valid military. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/red-lobster-veterans-day-military-discount.
Smoothie King offers a free 20 oz. red, white, or blue smoothie to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Saturday, Nov. 11. Locations are 5366 McArdle Road Ste 100, 5513 Saratoga Blvd. Ste 103, and 5017 Saratoga Blvd., Ste 101. Information: https://www.military.com/discounts/smoothie-king-veterans-day-military-discount.
Starbucks offers a free tall (12 fl. oz.) hot or iced coffee (no cold-brewed) on Saturday, Nov. 11, to veterans, active-duty service members and military spouses at participating locations. Limit one per customer, café or drive-thru only. Information: https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2023/starbucks-honors-veterans-military-members-with-free-coffee-on-veterans-day/.
Texas Roadhouse, 2029 S. Padre Island Drive, offers a free lunch voucher to veterans and active military from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Vouchers are good for a free meal from a select menu and valid for six months. Vouchers are handed out in a drive-thru line in the parking lot for easy pickup. Must present valid ID. Information: 361-854-9505.
Wienerschnitzel offers a free meal to active military and veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11. Locations in Corpus Christi are 2401 Ayers St., 4221 S. Alameda St., 3555 S. Padre Island Drive, 5861 S. Staples St., and 4001 U.S. Highway 77. Meal is a chili dog, small fries and small soda. Guests must present valid military or veteran ID card or wear military uniform. Information: https://www.wienerschnitzel.com.
Other free items and discounts
Great Clips offers a free haircut to veterans and active military on Saturday, Nov. 11. Veterans can get a free haircut that day or can get a free haircut card to be used any day before Dec. 1, 2023. Locations are 3133 S. Alameda St., 4938 S. Staples St., 6601 Everhart Road, 2311 Hwy. 35 N, Rockport. Information: https://www.greatclips.com/about-us/giving/thank-a-veteran.
The National Parks Service offers free admission (entrance fee only) to all visitors on Saturday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day. The local national park is Padre Island National Seashore, 20420 Park Road 22. Information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm.
Sports Clips offers free haircuts for service members and veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11. Must present valid military ID. Locations are 1502 Airline Road Ste. 120, 5625 Saratoga Boulevard Ste 103, and 14221 Northwest Boulevard Ste 105. Information: https://www.sportclips.com/promotions-partnerships/help-a-hero.
The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay offers free admission for all veterans, active duty and reserve military members on Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12, at 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd. Information: 361-888-4873 or https://www.usslexington.com/.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Veterans Day 2023: Ceremonies, discounts around Corpus Christi
