A number of local businesses are saluting veterans, military service men and women, and their families this Veterans Day by offering local discounts, specials and promotions.

Make sure to check below if deal counts for Sunday (Veterans Day), or both Monday (Veterans Day observed) and Sunday. 

Here's a guide to many of these great deals to be found on Veterans Day both on and off the island:

For military service men and women only:

• Applebee's : Free dinners to active duty military and veterans throughout the day on Sunday. The nearest Applebee's is located in Middletown.
• Chili's: Free Veterans Day Meal on Sunday. Qualifying participants have their choice of one of six entrees. The nearest Chili's is located in Middletown .
• Outback Steakhouse : Free "blooming onion" appetizer on menu, and beverage, on Sunday and Monday. The nearest Outback is located in East Greenwich and in  Seekonk, MA .
• UNO Chicago Grill: Free entree or individual pizza with an entree or pizza purchase of equal or greater value on Sunday and Monday. Click here for the nearest locations .
• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, 11 Dorrance St., Providence . Complimentary entree from a special menu on Sunday. Space is limited. Reservations recommended. Call (401) 351-4500 for reservations or information.
• Sam's Club, Seekonk, MA: More than 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away to veterans in need of mobility assistance. Membership is not required, and supplies are limited.

For Everyone to enjoy: 

• All national parks, forests and monuments offer free addmission to all on Veterans Day.  Go and enjoy the scenery!

Year-Round Discounts

Did you know national and local businesses consistently offer discounts to support military families? 

• The Newport County Chamber of Commerce also provides a comprehensive guide to discounts throughout Aquidneck Island. Check out www.risalutes.com for a complete listing of all local and state businesses enrolled in the program and remember that most of these offers cannot be combined with other coupons. For more information, call the Chamber at (401) 847-1608 or email risalutes@newportchamber.com.

THE DISH: more Secret Discounts!

• Check out the Facebook pages and Twitter sites for your favorite providers. In 2010, vendors like Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and many other online retailers offered special one day only discounts off their most popular products for Veteran's Day. Check out their websites and fan sites (Twitter and Facebook) bright and early Thursday morning for announcements of this year's deals. They don't usually announce this ahead of time so you have to log on Thursday to participate. Then log on to their websites to purchase your favorites at a discount. Some sites only give discounts to military. Some do online discounts for all and donate something to a military charity. A great tip to support your troops!

Remember, the whole point of Veterans Day to thank and remember our troops and November is Military Family Month. Thank you to our troops and their families for your service, and thanks to all of the local businesses and Newport County Chamber of Commerce for supporting our troops and their families!