Veterans Day 2024: Free Meals and Local Events in Western Wisconsin

Western Wisconsin prepares for widespread Veterans Day tributes

Veterans and active-duty military members across Western Wisconsin have a wide array of community ceremonies, school programs, and free meal offers scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11, Local News reported.

The regional observance spans from large-scale public gatherings to localized school tributes, reflecting a deep-seated community effort to honor service members. These events range from formal military honors at the Tomah VA Medical Center to celebratory breakfasts at local grocery stores and coffee shops.

These local offerings show a large economic and social commitment to the veteran community. While many businesses provide meals at no cost, the logistical coordination required for these events involves schools, veterans’ organizations, and private enterprises working in tandem to facilitate public recognition.

Local businesses offer food and services to veterans

Local businesses have coordinated various promotions to provide food and services to those who have served. Applebee’s is continuing a long-standing tradition, marking its 19th consecutive year of offering a free full-size entrée to veterans, active-duty military, Reserves, and National Guard members who dine in.

The menu includes options such as a 6 oz. top sirloin, classic bacon cheeseburger, and chicken tenders platter. According to Local News, the chain has served more than 12.7 million free meals to service members and veterans since the promotion began.

Other dining options include:

Blue Moon Restaurant (Onalaska): Free meal up to $15 in value from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Features Sports Bar (West Salem): One free meal up to $15 for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Milwaukee Burger Company (Eau Claire and Onalaska): Free meal up to $15.99 for dine-in guests.
Sammy’s Pizza (Winona): Free buffet and a Coke from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Grizzly’s Grill Smoke & Fire (Eau Claire): One complimentary meal from a special menu, available first come, first served.
Wissota High Shores Supper Club (Chippewa Falls): Complimentary dinner for all veterans.

For those looking for grocery assistance, Festival Foods is offering veterans and active-duty military up to 17 free grocery items—valued at $60—with a qualifying $20 purchase on Nov. 11, while supplies last. Hy-Vee is also participating, providing a free breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. and a 15% discount on groceries using the code VETS2026.

Quick service options are also available, with Kwik Trip offering a free breakfast combo consisting of a sandwich and a 16 oz. beverage. Scooter’s Coffee will provide a free medium drink of any choice at its various locations, though a valid military ID is required for these offers.

Regional programs honor the military community

Beyond dining, the region will host several formal programs designed to educate and honor the military community. In Winona, the Veterans Day Vigil and Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park marks its 34th year, featuring a 24-hour vigil at Lake Park. The formal ceremony at 11 a.m. will include honor squads, proclamations, and Civil War cannon salutes.

Veterans Day 2024: Free Meals and Local Events in Western Wisconsin

The Tomah VA Medical Center will hold a formal ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 10, featuring guest speaker Col. Sarah E. Fraticelli, the Fort McCoy Garrison Commander. The program includes musical performances by the Tomah Middle School Eighth-Grade Choir and military honors provided by Tomah VFW Post 1382.

Educational institutions are also integrating these tributes into their curricula. The following programs are scheduled:

Location	Event Details	Time/Format
Altoona High School	Musical tributes and student recognition	2:40–3:40 p.m.
Chippewa Falls Senior High	Community program with gun salute	9:40–10:40 a.m. (Livestreamed)
Viterbo University	Service in San Damiano Chapel featuring Todd Bjerke	11:11 a.m.
Westby Area High School	“Salute to Veterans” concert and meal	Nov. 12, 6 p.m.
Alma Area Schools	Flag protocol and annual program	8:20 a.m. / 9 a.m.

In Neillsville, the Highground Veterans Memorial Park will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., allowing the public to explore museum exhibits and learn about available veteran services. This event provides resources for families managing life after military service.

The scale of local participation

The diversity of these events reflects the varying ways communities engage with military history and current service members. While some ceremonies focus on the solemnity of remembrance, such as the 24-hour vigil in Winona, others like the Minnesota Wire’s 17th Annual Veterans Day BBQ in Eau Claire focus on community celebration, featuring live music from the 204th Army Band Rock Group.

For many schools, the goal is intergenerational connection. The Ridgeway Community School program, for instance, features performances by students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Although meal reservations for the Ridgeway luncheon were due by Nov. 6, the school noted that those who did not reserve a meal may still attend the recognition program starting at 12:05 p.m.

As the 250th anniversary of American independence approaches, many of these local observances are beginning to weave broader historical themes into their programming, connecting local service to the national narrative.