Veterans Day Freebies Merchants are giving back in record numbers this year.  Estimates seem to indicate that more than 100,000 businesses will be giving veterans and active duty troops free meals, vacations, and an assortment of other services...all free of charge.  See list below.  List is updated frequently.       Illinois Area Freebies CityLink will offer free rides to veterans on Monday, November 11, 2013, in honor of Veterans Day. Veterans are asked to present a valid Veteran ID Card or identification to the bus operator upon boarding the bus. In addition, CityLink continues to offer half-fares to veterans with a valid Veteran ID Card or identification from the VA Health Care System year round.   Free Buffet Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley will show their appreciation for veterans and active servicemen and women Monday by offering them a free lunch or dinner at the Grand Buffet. Military personnel will need to show their military or veteran ID card during normal business hours at any Grand Rewards counter. Then they will be awarded a certificate to receive the free buffet (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. at Grand Casino Mille Lacs and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Grand Casino Hinckley). Both casinos will serve a lunch buffet, which will include a full salad bar, assorted dinner entrees, desserts, and more. Then, in the afternoon, the casinos will serve their Classic Dinner Buffet which features broasted chicken, baked and fried fish, carved turkey and ham, fresh Asian selections, house-made soups, fresh salads and an endless dessert selection.   Free Community Events The Crossville Chronicle Tue Nov 05, 2013, 02:38 PM CST Thursday, November 7, 2013 — Free veterans concert at Stone Memorial High School at 7 p.m. Cumberland County Community Band and Community Chorus will perform. Friday, November 8, 2013 —  Veterans to be honored at Progressive Bank, 807 N. Main St., Crossville, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free food and gifts for veterans, who will need to present a Veteran ID Card (DD-214, retirement ID card or discharge papers). Friday, November 8, 2013 — Performance by Brown Elementary School students honoring veterans at 9 a.m. Sunday, November 10, 2013 — USO Shows at 2 and 6 p.m. at the Palace Theatre. Tickets on sale at the Palace Theatre from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday). Cost is $12 per ticket. Monday, November 11, 2013 — Performance by North Cumberland Elementary School students honoring veterans at 8:30 a.m. Monday, November 11, 2013 — Veterans to be honored at special ceremony at the gazebo on the courthouse lawn on Main St. at 11 a.m. Monday, November 11, 2013 — Veterans to be honored in the Cumberland County High School gymnasium at 2 p.m. Parking available near the gym. Monday, November 11, 2013 — Veterans Day Special Recognition event at Cumberland County Community Complex from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Hosts will provide free barbecue sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw, desserts and drinks. The event will also include entertainment. All veterans, especially those who fought in wars, deserve special recognition and thanks from everyone. Organizers are requesting readers to help pass the word in order to make this a celebration all veterans will long remember. Everyone is invited.

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What Every Veteran Should Carry                         No longer will you have to carry around your DD Form 214 as proof of your military service.  The Veteran ID Card will quickly establish you as a veteran, along with other essential benefits.  More... Veteran ID Card