With military anniversaries and Veterans Day, servicemen and women are being honored across the country — especially in Chicagoland.
Windy City residents are invited to 1945: At War’s End (Nov. 4-5) at Guarneri Hall. The two-day musical festival commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II focuses on composers and musicians affected by the conflict. They include Poles of Jewish descent Mieczysław Weinberg and Szymon Laks; Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů; Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich; English composer Benjamin Britten; and Nagasaki native Michiru Ōshima. The Terra String Quartet — featuring violinists Harriet Langley and Amelia Dietrich, cellist Audrey Chen, and Chih-Ta Chenn on viola — will perform on both nights. For tickets ($50) and more information, visit guarnerihall.org.
In Crystal Lake, the McHenry County Marine Corps League marks the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. with a Birthday Ball (Nov. 8) at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. Click here for tickets ($85).
In honor of Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the Brookfield Zoo Discovery Center will display military memorabilia and vehicles during a celebration that includes music by the Legacy Girls, posting of colors, a routine by the Jesse White Tumblers, and the zoo’s animal ambassadors.
Additional Veterans Day ceremonies are set for Nov. 11 in Addison, Aurora, Barrington, Elgin, Elmhurst, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Schaumburg, and Wood Dale.
To further thank vets for their service, various eateries from Applebee’s and Chili’s to Olive Garden and Red Lobster are serving free menu items to active and retired military and veterans with proof of military service.
Breakfast
On Nov. 10, Au Bon Pain will give veterans and active-duty military a breakfast sandwich and small drip coffee.
On Nov. 11, servicemen and women who dine in can order a free Original Grand Slam meal at Denny’s and free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes at IHOP, while Wendy’s is serving complimentary breakfast combos. Free breakfast items and coffee will also be available at participating Panera Bread locations.
Also on Nov. 11, Peet’s Coffee, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Starbucks are pouring complimentary coffee to vets and active-duty military while Dunkin’ provides free donuts and Krispy Kreme will give both a coffee and donut to those who serve the country.
Lunch
On Veterans Day, military members with valid proof of service will receive a free lunch combo from Little Caesars Pizza and White Castle. Similarly, Bar Louie, Hard Rock Cafe, and T.G.I Fridays will offer vets and service members complimentary meals from a select Veterans Day menu.
Dinner
On Nov. 7, the 484th Army Woodwind Ensemble will perform as veterans enjoy a free dinner at Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows. Registration is required at cityrm.org.
On Nov. 9, veterans and their families are invited to a complimentary dinner at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The evening includes food catered by Aliano’s and military memorabilia on display. Reserve a spot via EventBrite.com.
On Nov. 11, Golden Corral‘s Annual Military Appreciation Night honors active duty, retired, and veteran military personnel with a free dine-in dinner.
Throughout the year, admission is waved for veterans and members of the military at the Adler Planetarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry. For more information, visit Blue Star Museums.
