By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Nov 11, 2016 at 12:56 PM

Today is Veterans Day, a day to salute and pay tribute to some of the best and bravest in the United State of America – and if there's ever been a time to focus on the best this country has to offer, this is the moment. 

During this special day of respect and remembrance, several local and national businesses are offering special meals, deals and other services for veterans and -- in some cases -- for active military personnel as well. All you need to claim these offers is to show proof of military service with some form of military ID, such as a VA ID card, a drivers license with a veteran's designation on it or some sort of veterans organization card. Those interested may also want to call beforehand to make sure of times, locations and availability, as some deals may only run until supplies last. 

Without further ado, however, here is a list of places offers deals for vets on this important day:

Applebee's

Applebee's is offering a free meal to both military veterans and active-duty military members. Valid meals will be available on a special menu; beverage and gratuity are not included. 

Bar Louie

The restaurant is offering a free appetizer or entree today for veterans and active-duty military members. 

Baskin-Robbins

Not a deal, per se, but a fine cause: The ice cream chain will donate $0.11 to the United Service Organizations (USO) for every ice cream scoop sold on Veterans Day. 

The Bay

From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. today, The Bay Restaurant, 342 E. Silver Spring Dr., is offering all veterans a free sandwich, salad or pizza. 

Bonefish Grill

At all Bonefish Grill locations, all active-duty military members and veterans (with a valid military ID) will receive a complimentary Bang Bang Shrimp. 

Buffalo Wild Wings

For active-duty military members and veterans, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a complimentary order of wings, as well as a side of fries, with proof of service.  

California Pizza Kitchen

The eatery will offer pizza, full-size salad or pasta off a special menu for Veterans Day. Note: this offer is good for dine-in orders only. 

Carrabba's

The Italian food chain is offering a free appetizer to veterans and active-duty service members now through Nov. 13. 

Chick-fil-A

The fast food chicken chain will offer all military veterans a free chicken sandwich on Veterans Day.

Chili's

For all active-duty military members and veterans, Chili's is offering their choice – from a limited dine-in menu – of a free lunch combo or a dinner meal, including any full-size flatbread.

Chipotle

From 3 p.m. until close, Chipotle restaurants will be offering a buy one, get one burrito, bowl, salad or taco order free deal to all active-duty military members, veterans and military spouses.

Cost Cutters/Supercuts

For Veterans Day, these two salons will offer free haircuts to veterans at their Metro Milwaukee locations. To learn more about hours and where to find one of their seven locations in the area, visit their website.

Cracker Barrel

Veterans can receive a free double chocolate fudge or Coca-Cola cake dessert at any Cracker Barrel location on Veterans Day. 

Dr. Dawg

This Chicago-style hot dog and burger joint, located at 6969 N. Port Washington Rd., is offering a two-for-one hot dog special for all veterans and active military personnel. 

Golden Corral

Golden Corral will host its annual military appreciation dinner, a free sit-in meal for all people who have ever served in the military, on Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. To learn more and find a nearby location, visit Golden Corral's website

Goodyear Chiropractic Health Clinic

Goodyear – the official chiropractor of the Milwaukee Wave, specializing in sports and work-related injuries – is offering one free chiropractic evaluation/consultation for active-duty military personnel and vets throughout the entire month of November. Veterans will also receive 50% off a one-hour therapeutic Signature Massage for appointments booked and redeemed during November. To learn more, visit Goodyear's website

Harley-Davidson Museum

Located at 400 W. Canal St., the Harley-Davidson Museum is offering free entry for all active-duty military members, veterans and their families Nov. 11-13. ID required. 

IHOP

To celebrate veterans and America, IHOP is offering free red, white and blue pancakes today for veterans and active-duty military members. 

JCPenney

The retailer is offering a special 5% discount through the weekend to veterans and current military members, as well as their immediate family members, with valid military ID shown in-store.

Krispy Kreme

The doughnut shop chain will serve a free doughnut of any variety and a small coffee to all veterans and active-duty military members.

Little Caesar's

The pizza chain is offering a free pizza or $5 off a Hot-N-Ready lunch combo to all veterans and active-duty military members between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. today. Be sure to call ahead to ensure a location's participation. 

LongHorn Steakhouse

Today, LongHorn Steakhouse is offering a complementary Texas onion and non-alcoholic beverage to veterans and active-duty military members. 

Lowe's

All veterans and their families receive 10% of their purchases on Veterans Day.

Meineke Car Care

The car care center is offering free basic oil changes to veterans and active-duty military personnel today.

Olive Garden

The famed Italian restaurant chain is offering free entrees for veterans today.

Outback Steakhouse

The Aussie-themed steak chain is offering a free Bloomin' Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage to veterans and active-duty military members (with show of military ID). Outback Steakhouse is also offering 15% off for military families from Nov. 12 through the end of the year. 

Ponderosa Steakhouse

Ponderosa is hosting a free Veterans Day buffet at participating locations. 

Red Lobster

The seafood chain is offering a free appetizer or dessert on Veterans Day to those with proof of service. 

Red Robin

The burger chain is offering a free Red's Tavern Double and bottomless steak fries for all customers with a military ID or proof of service. 

Sight & Sound Solutions

Waukesha-based Dish Network and DirecTV dealer Sight & Sound Solutions is offering a free 32-inch HD TV with any DirecTV order placed today. To arrange an order, call (414) 426-1208 or visit Sight & Sound's website

Solly's Grille

Owned by a Vietnam veteran, Solly's – located at 4629 N. Port Washington Rd. – is offering 50% off any menu item, as well as free coffee and soda, to all veterans and active-duty military personnel. 

Sport Clips

In addition to offering free haircuts today to current military members and veterans – find a participating location here – Sport Clips will also donate $1 from every haircut today to its Help A Hero scholarship program. 

Sprecher's Restaurant and Pub

Located in the middle of the Bayshore Town Center, Sprecher's Restaurant and Pub is offering vets 50% off their entree – and a complementary root beer float. 

Texas Roadhouse

Texas Roadhouse is offering free lunch – of the customer's choosing from 10 meal options, plus sides and either a soft drink, coffee or tea – to all veterans and current military members from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Times do vary from location to location, so call ahead. 

T.G.I. Friday's

From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., T.G.I. Friday's will serve free lunch for all veterans and current military members. Only at participating locations, so call ahead to make sure. 

Walgreens

Walgreens is hosting a Veterans Day discount, offering 20% regular priced, eligible items for veterans, active-duty military personnel and immediate family members. Walgreens Balance Rewards card and proof of service required. 

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.