The nation marked the 107th Veterans Day on Wednesday with President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. Eastern at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Trump delivered remarks 30 minutes after the ceremony.
The observance played out on multiple fronts: official commemorations in the nation’s capital, local ceremonies around the country, and free meals and discounts offered to veterans by dozens of restaurant chains and retailers.
In Hollywood, the Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills cemetery hosted an event called “Honoring the Brave,” featuring a flyover and a concert by the Los Angeles Police Concert Band. In Washington, D.C., volunteers helped families make rubbings of fallen veterans’ names at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
A Dispute Over Arlington’s Future
Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 400,000 people are buried including former presidents, has become the focus of a separate controversy tied to Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch for the capital. Critics argue the structure would cast a shadow over part of the historic grounds.
On Tuesday, nine members of the Kennedy family joined a lawsuit seeking to block construction of the arch.
A Holiday a Century in the Making
Veterans Day traces back to the end of World War I, when the United States suffered 116,708 military deaths and 204,002 wounded. The November 11, 1918 armistice ending hostilities between the Allied and Central Powers was first marked nationally as “Armistice Day” in 1919 under President Woodrow Wilson.
Congress asked in 1926 that November 11 be officially recognized for World War I veterans — making this year the 100th anniversary of that resolution — and made it a federal holiday in 1938. The Eisenhower administration renamed it Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans of all wars, not just World War I.
Free Meals and Discounts Nationwide
Veterans and active-duty service members had no shortage of options to mark the day away from Washington. About 30 restaurant brands are included in Dinova’s 2026 Veterans Day Dining Guide, according to Alison Quinn, the Florida-based company’s president. The network now covers roughly 25,000 restaurants and 600 corporate partners, including Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Hooters, Outback Steakhouse and Red Lobster.
“What we’re starting to see now is it’s going beyond Veterans Day, to try to give back to the vets in a way that is more meaningful,” Quinn said. “Just not about one day but come back, and we’ll give you something again.”
Quinn advised veterans and active-duty members to bring identification and check with local restaurant locations beforehand, since participation and ID requirements vary.
Among the promotions reported:
- Applebee’s: Complimentary full-size entree for active-duty military, veterans, reserves and National Guard members
- Chili’s: Free meal for veterans and active military members
- Chipotle: Free chips with guacamole, queso blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase
- Dave and Buster’s: All-day unlimited game play and/or a free dessert with a qualifying entree
- IHOP: Free breakfast with pancakes, eggs, hash browns and bacon or sausage
- Food Lion: 10% off for active-duty personnel and veterans
- Publix: 10% discount for veterans, active military and their families
- Shake Shack: Free ShackBurger for active-duty personnel and veterans
- Starbucks: Free hot or iced coffee for veterans, military spouses and active military members, at in-person locations or drive-thrus
- Wendy’s: Free Dave’s Single cheeseburger for veterans and active-duty military
Major retailers including Costco, Target and Walmart remained open, while the Post Office and most banks closed for the holiday. Additional veteran discounts and offers are listed on the American Legion’s website.
