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Holiday Meals and Toy Drives for Military Families

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November and December are full of excitement and busy schedules. These are also times of increase in cost burden. There are holiday meals, presents, and travel over the holidays that add stress and increases expenses on an already tight military family budget. Add in the stress of deployments and workups, it can be a lot for military families to take. There are two organizations that want to express their thanks to military families with holiday meals and toys for military children.

Operation Homefront – Holiday Meals

Operation Homefront’s Holiday Meals program was born out of a chance meeting a military family in a grocery store. The military family didn’t have enough money to cover the groceries on the conveyor belt and began to take items off when the person behind them gave them the money to cover the cost. That person was Ken Ruff, Vice President for National Accounts at Beam Suntory. After that, Ken presented to the Beam Suntory leadership the idea of partnering with Operation Homefront for a holiday meal program for military families like the one he helped in the grocery store in November of 2009. The program has grown since then to include more sponsors and volunteers to support a vast number of military families across the United States.

The Holiday Meal event is open to– Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve, post 9/11 wounded, ill, or injured service members actively serving and no longer serving in the military and transitioning service members within 12 months of their discharge. Some events restrict the rank to E1-E6, some are open to all ranks so be sure to check out the details for the event nearest you. Events are filling up, so make sure to check them out and sign up for the waitlist if interested.

To find a holiday meal drive near you, check out this page.

Operation Homefront – Holiday Toy Drive

The holiday toy drive from Operation Homefront extends the holiday spirit to the children of military service members that meet eligibility criteria. To be eligible to register for this event, check out the details specific to the event of interest. Some events are open to the service member must be E1-E6 active duty and some are open to all ranks. In most cases, all events are open to post 9/11 wounded, ill, or injured service members actively serving and no longer serving in the military.

These events are very popular and fill up quickly as they start at the beginning of December. Check the page to see if there is a local event near you. At the time of this writing events in Colorado are full, but events in New Orleans, select locations in California and North Carolina are open.

Donate to Operation Homefront

If you want to donate to Operation Homefront to support military families around the United States through their programs, donate here.

Soldier’s Angels – Adopt-A-Family

The Soldier’s Angels program is well-known for Treats for Troops, and also has an Adopt-A-Family program.

Eligibility

The program is open to all families of deployed service members, families of Post 9-11 wounded, ill and injured and veteran families enrolled in HUD/VASH programs.

– Deployed service members must not be scheduled to return from deployment prior to December 25, 2021, are E1-E6 rank, and demonstrate financial need

– Post 9-11 wounded, ill, or injured service members or veterans must have proof of wound, illness, or injury and demonstrate financial need

– a veteran family enrolled in the HUD/VASH program must provide a letter of eligibility and demonstrate financial need

How to Apply

Families need to register for an account on Soldier’s Angels and complete the requested documents.

Adopt-A-Family

If you are looking for a way to support a military family this year, you can register to adopt a military family this holiday season. By registering to adopt a family, you are committing to giving gifts for every child and a grocery gift card to assist the family with the cost of a holiday meal.

Give Time, not Things This Holiday Season

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There have been numerous news articles on the expected shipping delays that will affect this holiday season. The effect of the shipping issues is already being seen in the blank spaces in grocery stores and strange mail delays from online shipping retailers. While the news states that these delays will lead to a less joyous holiday season, it doesn’t have to be the case. You don’t have to give things this holiday season – you can give time instead.

Annual Passes

Chances are as a military family you have moved in the last few years. Time to check out your new locale but support local, and give the gift of time through an annual pass. Is there a museum, zoo, aquarium, historic home, or theme park near you? Consider getting an annual pass for your family. This allows you to explore at your own pace. Bonus if you are tired, or the kids are acting up, you can go home without feeling guilty that you spent all that money on tickets and then aren’t staying the whole day. An annual pass allows you to plan time together as a family. If you have an annual pass to a large zoo, plan days to just see mammals or birds or amphibians. If you get an annual pass to a theme park, stick to one land a day as a fun way to explore without stressing about doing it all. Use the annual pass at the historic home to check out the home during the different seasons to learn about that historical time period during that season. Annual passes support the local business themselves, and in getting passes to local aquariums or zoos you are often supporting the larger organizations to support wildlife around the world.

Day Trips

If an annual pass is not your speed, plan out day trips locally as a gift this year. You can get tickets, if they don’t expire by the end of the calendar year, and plan out an itinerary. Consider even asking for leave on those days now so you can commit to taking those day trips together. Want to spend a little less? Check out the National Parks near you. There are no-fee or low-fee passes for active military and veterans and can be used at any National Park. Plan out hikes or even overnight camping. The fact is time goes by quicker than we think it does. It’s already the holiday season this year, so let’s plan out a time together. You don’t have to limit this to just family. If you have local friends you want to gift an awesome gift to, consider planning out time together on a hike or meeting at a local favorite spot. Have family coming to visit in the coming year, gift the itinerary for a day trip all planned out – and when they come to visit purchase the tickets. It’s less stuff to ship, and in general, time together is why the family is coming to visit you in the first place.

Volunteer

Consider volunteering as a family this year. If you aren’t sure where to start, look on base. Organizations like the USO, Blue Star Families or Operation Help A Hero may be on your local installation and looking for volunteers to help with the programming. This supports the local community and ensures the spirit of giving in your family.

Give Homemade

There is nothing more personal than sharing a family recipe with others. Consider writing the recipe card down and sharing a mix of the item. Layer the items for cookies or brownies in mason jars and include the recipe so the item can be made, and the recipe is kept and repeated. Gifting to a large group of people at work? Consider mason jars filled with homemade hot cocoa mix. You can even add little marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, or mint chips to mix up and provide a variety.  Giving the gift of homemade is giving your time, effort, and the item. The heartfelt gesture is sure to be appreciated.

Photo Albums

The best part about this one is that is can be done and gifted no matter where you live through the gift that is technology. Build a photo album digitally with pictures of your friends or family and send them the link. Let them choose what they would like in regards to photo album size and then ship directly to them. There is still shipping involved, but they can enjoy the link digitally. Or if you prefer, build an album with just the files like Google Photos. You can jointly share the photos and enjoy reflecting on the time together.

Giving time through these items isn’t just kind, but also budget-friendly and in many cases eco-friendly. How will you give time this holiday season?

Holiday Treat Ideas from Around the World

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Military families find themselves living around the world. Germany, Italy, and Japan play host to the US Armed Forces, sharing with us their culture and traditions. The holiday time is a special time to explore the food and culture of the nation’s host. Whether you have lived there, want to live there, or are reliving your time there, here are some fun holiday treats from around the world in places our Armed Forces are serving.

Japan

Whether you know it or not, when you are living in Japan (Okinawa and mainland), get ready to see a long line at the local Kentucky Fried Chicken store and ads for the holiday preorders. Why? Christmastime is a time for gatherings and why not enjoy some American fried chicken? There is even a whole song dedicated to this called Stueki na Holiday “Kentucky for Christmas.” (Don’t believe me, use your favorite search engine!)  

Balance out the fried chicken and biscuits with the local favorite of Japanese Christmas cake – lightly whipped sponge cake layered with light and fluffy whipped cream and strawberries. These cakes are so commonplace you can find them in your local grocery store in addition to bakeshops, so even if you forget to place your order you can usually find them.

Celebrating the New Year is extra special in Japan – celebrated with fireworks and music, and of course food. The Osechi Ryori is the traditional food and dishes used to celebrate New Year. The dishes are packed in layered bento boxes and each item within has a special meaning.

Datemaki – sweet rolled omelet – represents scholarship due to the omelet’s resemblance of rolled papers

Kuri-Kinton – chestnut dumpling – represents wealth

Kohaku Kamaboko – boiled fish paste in typical colors of red and white – represents the first sunrise of the new year

Kobu-maki – kelp – represents happiness

Kazunoko – herring roe – represents fertility

Ebi – shrimp – represents longevity

Kuromamae – black beans – represents health

Tatsukuri – dried sardines – represents a good harvest

Renkon – lotus root – represents a foreseeable, good future (as seen through the holes of the lotus root)

Kikuka-kabu – turnip in the shape of the chrysanthemum flower – represents celebration and promotion

Gobo – burdock root – represents strength and stability

Tai – the sea bream fish – represents celebration

Italy

There are two P’s to remember for celebrating the holidays in Italy – Panettone and Pandoro. Panettone is the typified Italian holiday dessert enjoyed through New Year. The tall bread-like cake is a sweet dough with candied fruits and raisins. This is no fruitcake so do not expect a dense, sugar-coated cake. The cake is so popular that it is now present in big box stores like Costco in America during the holiday season. It’s not as well-known sweet bread of Pandoro is a local favorite in Italy. The eight-star pointed cake is similar in texture to brioche bread and the modern version is dusted with flavored powdered sugar as “snow” on top of the mountain.

Germany

Move over stockings and get those shoes (or rainboots) ready for December 5. Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day, is celebrated when the spirit of St. Nicholas visits children who left their shoes outside the door. The typical treats are oranges, representative of the gold that Nichols threw as dowry money in the legend of St. Nick. The taller the shoes, the more the treats may be an American twist on the German tradition, but it is a fun way to celebrate the season.

Christkindlmarkt – the Christmas street market – originated in Germany. The outdoor markets are held in cities all over Germany offering seasonal food, drink, and items for gifting like ornaments and other handicrafts. Traditional foods like Glühwein, Kinderpunsch, Baumstriezel (pastry covered in cinnamon sugar), and Maroni (roasted chestnuts) are offered, There are often children’s programming and petting zoos offered at the markets. If you are no longer in Germany and are looking for somewhere in the U.S. to enjoy the German market, then look no further than to the town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania also known as the “Christmas City.”

Warm-up in the German style with Glühwein. The spiced red wine is sold throughout the country and not just at the holiday market. Make it at home by purchasing the spice mix and adding it to your favorite bottle of red wine in the crockpot. Want to make the kid-friendly version? Kinderpunsch is the same version of the punch for adults who don’t drink or for children. Use fruit juices as tea as the base for the punch. Orange juice, apple juice, cherry juice (to give it the distinct red color) and hibiscus tea add a fragrant base for the drink – add in the ratios to your own personal taste. Add in the spices of cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and whole star anise to the base and warm everything in a stockpot. Add honey to taste and you have got yourself a warm taste of the holidays in addition to your home smelling of the season.

Need a treat with your Glühwein or Kinderpunsch? Stollen is a bread-like cake that is eaten from November 1 through New Year’s Eve in Germany. There is even a whole festival dedicated to the Christmas Cake – the Dresden Stollen Festival. A giant cake is made and sold at the festival. While eating your cake you can enjoy music from marching bands, a parade, and actors in historical costume. The eating of the cake goes back to the Medieval celebrations of the holidays so it is well-practiced. There are many versions. The holiday version is ChristStollen with marzipan running through it.

The holiday season around the world is a festive time. A time to make memories in a way that is unique to where you are living. Once you have returned to the U.S., you can continue these traditions with your family and share them with friends. Even if you haven’t lived there, add one of these traditions to your family’s celebrations this year for a fun and unique holiday treat!

Talk (Safe) Turkey to Me – A Note About Holiday Food Preparations

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While holiday gatherings may seem slightly more normal this year in comparison to last, the desire to avoid the hospital or doctor’s is just the same. Avoid food-induced illness by making sure to follow these criteria to prevent food poisoning.

Cook Food Thoroughly

Cooking large birds or meat is not something that we do often. Make sure to follow the directions on the package to defrost and cook to the appropriate temperature per the packaging.  Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the food, making sure to stay within the meat and not hitting a bone as that can lead to an inaccurate reading of the temperature.

Thaw Food Appropriately

Read the instructions on the turkey, if you are having one. Thawing must be done slowly in an ice bath, in the fridge or a cooler. Make sure to follow the thawing directions on the label of the items and refer to Food Safety Charts. When thawing in an ice bath, make sure to change the water when the ice is defrosted or every 30 minutes. And for the love, do not thaw your Turkey directly on your counter.

Keep Cold Things Cold

Anything that was made to stay cold like pies, egg-nog, dairy-based dishes and the like should remain cold upon serving. An increase in temperature to above 40 degrees Farenheiht is an increased risk for bacteria to grow leading to food-borne illness. Refrigerate or freeze any cold items and do not leave them out beyond 2 hours.

Keep Hot Things Hot

When you prepare hot foods like stuffing, potatoes, casseroles and meat dishes, they need to remain hot to avoid bacteria from growing. Bacteria growing in the food can lead to food-borne illness. Put away and refrigerate leftover food after 2 hours of being out.

Wash Your Hands

As if we need any other reminders to wash our hands in 2020, but you do. Before and after touching meat, vegetables or fruit, make sure to wash your hands. Especially when moving from raw meat to something else.

Wash knives and cutting boards

When cutting or preparing raw meat, vegetables and fruit, make sure to watch the knives, preparation tools and cutting boards in between each item. This prevents cross-contamination from raw chicken or beef between to fruits and vegetables.

Read the directions

This one is for all the people who like to wing it. Make sure to read the directions. Even fully prepped, meals ready-to-eat (not the brown envelope ones), have directions on reheating. While they can cook from frozen, make sure to cook to the correct internal temperature before fully digging in.

2020 has been a difficult year and it can feel difficult to find what we are grateful for. Keeping the tradition of a holiday meal, and time with no virtual school is worth a little celebration – especially keeping it safely.  Happy and healthy eating to all!

Plan Ahead and Save Cash for Your Next PCS

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Whether you are doing a Do-It-Yourself/Personally Procured Move (DITY/PPM) or a government move, there are many ways you can save money when preparing for your next Personal Change in Sanity, er, I mean, Permanent Change of Station. If you have orders for six months from now, preparing now will save you time, energy, and money.

Budget

Figure out the budget you want to stick within, and stick to it. The best way to make a budget is to be informed. If you are moving, call around to multiple companies that offer storage and shipment – ABF U-Pack, UHaul, PODs, and PackRat. These companies offer different-sized storage units to ship your items. They each offer calculators on their websites to help you estimate the size storage crate you need to pack up the goodies of your home so you can make an informed budget. Don’t forget to account for packing materials and boxes in your budget. Moving companies also can get you quotes on moving help for moving the heavy furniture.

Borrow

Borrow equipment like a dolly to move boxes. Borrow people if a neighbor offers to help you move boxes for an hour.

While not strictly borrowing, keep your eyes peeled for boxes being put up for curb alert. Gather boxes of all sizes not just for packing your own things, but also for creating walls in the packing unit to create stability. Boxes can be used for protecting items like frames or pictures, even if you are not moving. Check with local grocery stores for large boxes they may be recycling. It’s technically borrowing if you use them for your move, and then put them up for curb alert at the next duty station.

Be Creative

Use what you have in your home for packing. Using what you have saves money and time. Use towels or blankets to provide padding around dishes in addition to paper. Use small boxes you have on hand to pack up small items or breakables to make sure they are protected while shipping. Repurpose the small plastic shoebox containers to pack up small toys to keep them together. Wrapping paper also makes great paper for wrapping items that are being shipped to your next duty station. Regular packing paper is best for wrapping items that need to be stored long-term, but making do with what you have for items that go direct from shipping point A to point B.

Be Resourceful

Whether you are doing a Personally Procured Move (PPM) or Government Move, know what reimbursements you rate. Temporary Lodging Expenses (TLE) is an allowance covering lodging and meal expenses while occupying temporary lodging as part of the PCS. Moving CONUS to CONUS, 10 days of TLE is rated while to and from OCONUS moves rate 5 days of TLE. Other reimbursements like per diem and house hunting may be authorized. Check out the Defense Travel Management Office website to check out the reimbursements, rates, and what you may rate for your move.

The military is having you move, do not be afraid to ask for the military rate at the hotels you may stay at before, across your move, and after. Don’t forget about military hotels on base! They may even have larger temporary lodging with large kitchens to cook a homecooked meal and a washer and dryer for laundry – a cheap rate plus the ability to refresh your suitcase is a win!

Give Back on Giving Tuesday

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Giving Tuesday this year is occurring on November 30, 2021. The day is designated as a day for generosity – a day to donate to the organizations you hold close and desire to uplift. There is no amount too small or too large to donate to the nonprofits on Giving Tuesday, and well any day of the year. This year consider donating to organizations that support the military families and military community. They provide resources, comfort in times of need and support. Check out these organizations this Giving Tuesday.  

The American Legion is an organization that supports active duty service members as well as veterans, military families through scholarships and sports.

The Armed Services YMCA, or ASYMCA, supports military families on base and off with retreats for military children at a reduced cost, food supplies, clothing, and toys to children. Not to mention the programs for youth and teens. You can select to donate to the ASYMCA near you or to the larger organization that can share the donations to where it is needed.

Blue Star Families supports families around the U.S. with programming for military children and their families. If you have ever gone to a museum with free admission in the summer for the military, that is thanks to the joint venture of Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts. The organization also does annual research to determine what the needs of the current military family are and shares that with legislators in Washington when policies are discussed.

The Fisher House Foundation provides free or low-cost lodging to active duty military and veterans who travel for medical treatment and military treatment facilities. It’s like the Ronald McDonald House for military families – anticipating the needs of the military family.

The Gary Sinise Foundation offers unique programming to active duty military, veterans, their families as well as first responders and their families. If you have watched Forrest Gump, then you are familiar with the character Lt. Dan. Gary Sinise is the actor for that part and after the events of 9/11, he wanted to do more to honor the military and first responder families impacted. In 2011, the Gay Sinise Foundation was formed. From their RISE (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program, Relief and Resiliency program to outreach programs like concerts put on by Gary Sinise himself, the Foundation supports military families in various ways. You can even give in a bigger way by creating a fundraiser if donations alone don’t seem like enough.

The Honor Flight Network is back to providing flights to veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials of their respective wars. They use donations to cover costs of flights, hotels, food, and lodging for the veteran and the help they need while traveling.

Hope for Warriors is a nonprofit that supports wounded combat veterans and their families and the families of those killed in action. For the combat veterans and their families, their focus is on the transition out of the military, health and wellness, and connections to resources in the community.  Health and wellness includes caregiver support in addition to helping the wounded combat veterans. For those who have lost family members, the organization supports and provides resources within and outside the military community.  

The National Military Family Association supports the active duty military family with programming like Spouse Scholarships, Operation Purple Camps for military kids, Operation Purple Family Retreats, and Operation Purple Healing Adventures for the military family. Being headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, they also advocate for policies in Washington that directly affect military families like childcare, food insecurity, and healthcare coverage for young adults. 

Operation Help a Hero supports military families through various programming like OHH Baby Showers, Operation Enduring Support, OHH Camp Joy, Comfort for the Caregiver, Operation Rack Pack (providing supplies to returning military from deployment), and Operation Christmas Spirit, just to name a few. In addition to donating money, you can donate time to volunteer through your local programming.

The Semper Fi & America’s Fund aids through programming and support to combat wounded, ill, and injured service members and their family members, and veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces. Healthcare case managers and visiting nurses are just part of the team that makes up the Semper Fi Fund.

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS, provides support, resources, and programming to the military family grieving the loss of their active duty military member. TAPS holds programming like Good Grief Camp, in addition to seminars and retreats for adults and youth throughout the country.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was founded in 1991 and has continued to aid children in need across the United States by providing toys at Christmas. You can donate unwrapped, sealed toys or funds to help purchase toys. It’s a donation that provides cheer during a giving season.

The USO is known as an ambassador to active duty military families dating back to World War II. The organization provides programming through their local chapters that support their local community and unite community resources with the military family. They welcome military units back from deployment, provide programming to military children and even host a Santa’s Workshop for military kids to shop for their parents. All the programming differs based on the branch, but you can search which USO branch is near you to learn more.

Giving Tuesday is a great time to show support for your military community in a way that supports them, and may even support your family! Where will you give to you on Giving Tuesday?

Curate a Care Package for Friends Overseas

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There are several articles on how to decorate and what to include in a package to a deployed service member. They need and desire the comforts of home, and this is something that should be shared. The other group who enjoy care packages from home are the military families serving overseas. While there are amazing places to explore and new foods to try, it is nice to get a taste of the American home every now and again. If you have military friends living overseas, curate a care package for them with a taste of home with these items.

What To Send

What to send depends on the friends you are sending the package to. If there are favorite items from a local store that they enjoy, send those. Here are a few suggestions of items that those who have lived overseas or are living overseas enjoy:

–Chick Fil A Sauce – while there are plenty of copycat recipes out there, there is nothing quite like the real deal. Now there are even bottled and sealed bottles of sauce that can be purchased at grocery stores and Chick Fil A branches. Whether you are sending sauce packets or bottles, make sure to seal them in plastic bags to avoid leakage from ruining the entire contents of your bag.

– Local Coffee – If your friends are caffeine aficionados, it is fun to send some local treats. Make sure the bags or canisters are sealed. If you are sending grounds, place the bag or canisters in a plastic bag to catch any loose grounds that may escape with shipping.

– Local treats – Like local coffee, if there is a local candy or chocolate shop, support the small business near you and send some fun treats. Even if your friends are living in a location with good chocolate, it doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy something different from home.

– Spice Mixes – While Armed Forces living overseas do have Commissary privileges to purchase American products, the long period of shipping sometimes leads to empty shelves from shipping delays. Making homemade spice mixes in little jars is a nice way to share a personal touch along with providing a sometimes-needed item. If you are sending glass jars, make sure to cushion the items. Cleaned peanut butter containers are plastic, seal well, and can be used in lieu of glass. Again, make sure to put the jar in a plastic bag as pressures in shipping can sometimes lead to loose lids.

–Comfort Treats – If your friend enjoys tea, or a certain cookie they may not be able to get where they are currently living, it is a nice gesture to include these in their package.

– A taste of where you are living – Include a couple of other local treats to showcase where you are currently living. Maybe a BBQ mix when living in the south, or a locally made candle (be sure to seal it). Sharing a piece of where you currently call home is a fun way to keep in touch with your friends no matter where they live.

What NOT to Send

It should go without saying, but going to say it for old times’ sake. Do not send any alcohol, cigarettes, loose batteries, hazardous material or any fresh item that will go bad before its arrival in your boxes. If you are sending items with batteries in it, it is best to send it in the original sealed packaging for safety.

Don’t Forget to Decorate

If you are sending seasonal treats in the box, decorate the sides of the inside of the boxes with seasonally appropriate stickers. Write jokes on the inside of the flaps for a fun addition – don’t forget to add the punchline on the flaps as well! Decorate the outside sides of the box with drawings and stickers as well – just be sure to leave the address area clear of clutter so the address can be read easily.

Don’t Forget the Customs Form

When sending items overseas, a customs form must be included. Even if you are sending to armed forces overseas who are receiving mail through the military post, it is leaving the United States mail and everything must be declared. The package will go through the United States Postal Service and then change hands to a military post. The military post then ships the mail to the appropriate location when moving other goods to that base. Make sure to check the USPS guidelines for what items can be mailed internationally and specifically to that country. You will need to know the item types and approximate cost. No need to write each item individually. You can group items like “books” or “coffee” with approximate costs on each line.

BAH and Pay Increase for 2022

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The Department of Defense Fiscal year runs from October to October – so the 2022 year has begun. This also means that the 2022 Defense Budget has been submitted and is now within negotiations between Congress and the White House. While the final approval is still pending, the Defense Budget outlines increases in Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and pay for the 2022 fiscal year.

The proposed 2022 BAH rate is a 2.7 percent increase for all areas. This is a percentage increase in the current BAH rate. The BAH rates differ per duty station zip code. You can look up the BAH calculator at the Defense Travel Management Office link here. The 2022 rates will not be added until the Defense Budget is approved. You can calculate the expected BAH rate by adding 2.7% to the 2021 BAH rate.

The projected pay raise to basic pay is also 2.7%. The 2.7% number is not a random number. It is calculated using the Employment Cost Index, or ECI, formula. The military pay scale is based on grade and years of service. The pay raise would be for all levels. 2021 Military pay tables are available on the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) website here. This increase does not apply to special pays.

If the current Defense Budget is approved, the new pay and BAH rate will be effected January 1, 2022, with the first changes seen in the January 14, 2022, Leave and Earning Statement (LES).

2021 Veteran’s Day Freebies and Discounts

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UPDATED on 11/11/2021

Looking to try a new or favorite restaurant this Veteran’s Day? Check out this list for freebies and discounts offered to the military and veterans as a way of saying thank you for your service.

Eateries

54th Street Grill: Active Duty and veterans get a free meal up to $12 on November 11th. Dine-in only.

7-11 : Active duty, retirees, veterans, Reserve, National Guard, and their dependents can get a free coffee or Big Gulp in 7-11 stores or through the 7-11 app

Applebee’s : Veterans and Active Duty can choose a free meal from their Veteran’s Day Menu on November 11th. Dine-in only. Anyone who dines in will get $5 bounce back bucks to use on any dine-in, to-go or delivery order for the following three weeks.

BJs Restaurants: All current active duty and veteran military get a free meal up to $14.95 and a free Dr. Pepper beverage on November 11th. Dine-in only.

Blank Angus Steakhouse: Order in or place a takeaway order, active duty and veterans get an All-American Steak plate with 8 oz Angus Beef, mashed potatoes, broccoli with garlic butter with a non-alcoholic beverage for $10.99.

Bob Evans: Active Duty and veterans get a free meal from their special menu on November 11th, dine-in only, and beverage not included.

Buffalo Wild Wings: On November 11th, veterans and active duty military receive a complimentary order of 10 boneless wings and fries. This goes for dine-in or takeout ordered in the location.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: Military active duty members and their families receive 20% off food on Veteran’s Day at the restaurant, not valid at theme park locations. Year-round they offer 10% off food and merchandise.

California Pizza Kitchen: CPK is offering a free entrée and beverage from their special Veteran’s Day menu to those who come in uniform or bring their ID or proof of service on Veteran’s Day. The restaurant chain will also offer buy one get one coupon redeemable from November 12 – 20.

Chili’s: Active Duty and Veterans can enjoy a meal on their special menu on November 11th. Dine-In Only.

Coco’s Bakery and Restaurant: All veterans and active duty service members can receive a buy one entree, get one free with proof of service on Veteran’s Day. Can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Veterans and Active-duty military receive a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola cake when dining in on November 11th. November is military family appreciation month and the restaurant will be offering in-store specials throughout the month.

Denny’s: From 5 am to noon on Veteran’s Day, all active and retired military personnel can get a free build-your-own grand slam breakfast at participating diners.

Friendly’s: Complimentary free cheeseburger, fries, and a soft drink to active-duty and veterans on November 11th. Dine-In Only.

Golden Corral : Offering free dinner to active duty military, veterans, retirees, National Guard, and Reserves, and due to capacity limitations the promotional card for a free “Thank You” meal can be picked up during the month of November. The card can be redeemed from November 1 2020 to May 31, 2021.

IHOP: From 7 am to 7 pm on Veteran’s Day, active duty military and veterans can enjoy a free “Red White and Blueberry Pancakes” or “Red White and Blueberry Combo.” The “Red White and Blueberry Pancakes” comes with three pancakes with strawberries, blueberry compote and whipped topping. The “Red White and Blueberry Combo” is two pancakes with strawberries, blueberry compote topping with two eggs, hash browns, and choice of bacon or sausage.

Logan’s Roadhouse: Free American Roadhouse meal to the military from 3:00pm -6:00 pm on November 11th.

Luna Grill: Veterans and active duty military can get 10% off their purchases on November 11th for dine-in and to-go orders.

McCormick & Schmick’s: Veterans, Gold Star Parents and Gold Star Spouses are offered ½ price entrees on November 7th at their restaurants. It is typically a busy day so reservations are highly recommended.

Mission BBQ: Veterans and active duty members get a free sandwich on November 11th.

Olive Garden: Veterans and active duty can choose a free entree from their special menu. Dine in only.

Outback Steakhouse: The steakhouse chain is offering a free bloomin’ onion and Coca-Cola product on Veteran’s Day.

Red Robin: Join the Red Robin Royalty program and active duty and veterans can enjoy a complimentary Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Steak Fries anytime between November 1 and November 14th  for either dine-in or to-go.

Starbucks: Free tall coffee to active duty military, veterans, and military spouses on November 11th.

Texas Roadhouse: The steakhouse will be handing out dinner vouchers at their stores’ parking lots on November 11th and veterans and active-duty military members can redeem their vouchers when they open for dinner through the voucher’s expiration of May 30, 2022.

Yard House : Active Duty military and veterans receive a complimentary appetizer on November 11th, dine-in only

Entertainment

Colonial Williamsburg: Active-duty, Reservists, National Guard, Retirees and Veterans receive complimentary admission once annually for themselves and up to three direct dependents on Veteran’s Day Weekend, proof of service required

Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Tampa: Active-Duty military, Reservists and National Guard are offered complimentary one-day admission for the service member and up to three direct dependents. Veterans can receive up to six discounted tickets. Verification of service is done online through ID.me.

The San Diego Zoo offers free admission to active duty military year round.

Sea World San Diego: Active-Duty military, Reservists, National Guard and Veterans are offered complimentary one day admission for the service member and up to three direct dependents.

Sea World Orlando: Complimentary one-day admission is offered to Active-Duty military, Reservists, and National Guard and up to three dependents.

Mount Vernon: Complimentary admission to Mount Vernon for all active duty, former or retired military personnel on November 11th.

Apparel & Retail

Columbia: Columbia employee stores in Oregon, California, and Kentucky are open to active, retired, reserves, veterans, and dependents. Military personnel and their families also receive a 20% discount on November 11th at all Columbia and outlet stores.

Great Clips: Free haircut for military personnel on November 11th or receive a free haircut card to use at a later date.

Kohls: All active duty and those who have served and their immediate families can get 30% off in-store purchases on November 11th – November 14th.

Office Depot:  25% discount is offered for veterans and active duty military and their dependents for qualifying regular and sale-priced purchases on November 11th – November 13th.

Target: Active Duty, Veterans, and their families can register on Target Circle to get a 10% coupon off an entire cart. These purchases can be done in-store, for order pick-up, drive-up or shipping. There are restrictions so read the fine print. Coupons can be used twice from November 1 -13.

Chains that offer discounts year-round:

Apple offers 10% off their products year-round to veterans and active duty military using their online verification. Check your local military exchange too, because it may be cheaper to buy on base without tax than with the discount.

AT&T offers military and veteran families a 25% discount off their wireless plan.

Big Lots has announced they will offer a year-round 10% discount for active duty and veterans who are part of their Big Rewards program.

Colonial Williamsburg: Active-duty, Reservists, National Guard, Retirees, and Veterans can purchase an annual pass for themselves and up to three dependents for 25% off.

Dell offers an additional 10% off personal computers and electronics on their website by emailing militarydiscount@dell.com.

Hometown Buffet and Old Country Buffet offer a 15% discount to all military personnel in uniform or with a valid ID. They also offer Military Monday with a special discount for active duty, reserve, and veterans plus up to 3 family members for dine-in orders.

Home Depot offers a 10% discount in the store all year long.

L.L.Bean offers 10% off for active duty, veteran, and reservist personnel of the U.S.  Armed Forces. Verification of service is completed on their website.

Lowe’s offers a 10% discount in-store. You can link your military service to your Lowe’s card.

LuLulemon offers 25% discount off in-store purchases to military members and military spouses. *This will be changing to 15%, date TBD.

Michaels offers 15% discount on all purchases year round. Confirm military service through ID.me when setting up the Michaels account.

Microsoft offers up to 10% off select products to active, former, and retired military personnel and their families.

Outback Steakhouse offers a Heroes discount of 10% off for veterans and active duty off their dining check.

Pottery Barn offers 15% discount to military and veterans and their families for in-store purchases. Check your local store to see if this offer can be utilized for curb side pick-up as well.

T-Mobile offers hefty discounts on its wireless plans to active duty and veteran families.

Verizon also offers a discount on wireless plans which is dependent on plan type and the number of lines.

Before you head to enjoy these discounts, make sure you have your CAC card, DD214, or other proof of service as required and check the location of the place you will visit to determine if they are participating.

If you have found a Veteran’s Day deal or discount, let us know!

What Mental Health Benefits Are Covered for Retirees?

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Within the military community, TRICARE is known for the health coverage for active-duty families and their dependents. It is the constant coverage for medical and mental health benefits.

When a service member retires, does that coverage change? If the service member retired with benefits and retains TRICARE coverage, then TRICARE covers the retiree and their dependents.

Before the age of 65

When service members retire with benefits, there are several eligible health care plans to choose from. TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, US Family Health Plan (depending on locations), TRICARE for Life and TRICARE Select Overseas are options, depending on the location of the service member and other eligibilities. For example, a retired service member is only eligible for TRICARE for Life before the age of 65 if they are eligible for TRICARE and they have both Medicare Part A and B. Most military retirees utilize TRICARE Prime, meaning they are near a military base that they are able to receive medical care at, or TRICARE Select, meaning they are using TRICARE to be seen by civilian providers whether they are near a military base or not.

What is covered?

Mental Health coverage for retirees under the age of 65 is similar to those on active-duty service utilizing TRICARE for coverage. What is covered by TRICARE’s plans is covered here. This includes rehabilitation therapy, family therapy, intensive outpatient programs, and partial hospitalization therapy. This does not mean that there are no out-of-pocket charges for these treatments. On the whole, there is a contracted rate with in-network providers that accept the rate that TRICARE will reimburse for this.

What isn’t covered?

There are several exclusions for what TRICARE does not cover. Notably, counseling services like nutritional counseling, stress management, and marital therapy are not covered by TRICARE. For active duty service members, there are other resources that can be utilized to provide these services if needed. The full list of what is not covered is listed here.

What if the services needed are not covered?

If marital therapy is needed and it is not covered by TRICARE, a referral to family therapy from the primary care provider may help get this covered. Family therapy is a covered benefit when it is used for the benefit of the individual’s mental health. Other ways of receiving marital counseling may be available through a place of worship. Non-denominational churches may offer affordable counseling services. Veteran’s Affairs hospitals and clinics often have a chaplain on staff or within their network that they can refer to as well for counseling.

What about over the age of 65?

Once Medicare-eligible individuals read the age of 65 and are entitled to Medicare, the beneficiaries are automatically enrolled in TRICARE for Life. This means Medicare becomes the primary payer for medical costs. TRICARE will become the secondary payer, or the last if the beneficiary carries another health care insurance.

What does this mean for mental health coverage?

For beneficiaries with TRICARE for Life coverage, Medicare becomes the primary payer. This means that Medicare helps pay for and cover the following:

  • Depression screening by a provider
  • Psychiatric Evaluation
  • Individual and group psychotherapy
  • Family counseling, if the main purpose of treatment is for the individual
  • Medication Management

Whatever costs Medicare doesn’t cover, can be billed to TRICARE. Traditionally TRICARE covers mental health services that are medically required that include:

  • Psychotherapy, to include individual, group, and family/joint sessions
  • Psychological Testing
  • Medication-assisted treatment

What is NOT covered by Medicare or TRICARE in regards to mental health coverage

  • Art Therapy
  • Music Therapy
  • Dance Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy

The only time these therapies would be covered is if they are part of a medically required inpatient, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient program which are covered.

What are the costs?

Of the services listed above, the only 100% covered service with no cost to the individual is the annual depression screening by a provider. For every other service, the individual pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. This copay can be submitted to TRICARE for Life for coverage, and they may reimburse for that cost.

Don’t Forget Telehealth

Tricare has partnered with Telemynd for online counseling and mental health services. This telehealth partner covers all TRICARE eligible beneficiaries for services without copays or co-shares. Telemynd does not require a referral or authorization as of this writing. They can provide counseling for grief, stress, work, family issues in addition to depression and anxiety.

While it isn’t always easy to understand where to go for services, there are some covered services available for retirees. Always ask your primary care provider for options and services too as they know your local area. Mental health is part of your physical health.