May is Military Appreciation Month. It's a time to honor the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Many national and local businesses show their appreciation this month and year-round with military discounts and special offers. Check out just a few of the many deals available.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL OFFERS
Quinault Beach Resort and Casino in Ocean Shores is offering active-duty soldiers and veterans a 20-percent discount on rooms the weekend of May 19-20, plus a $10 resort credit and three-times points all day long on Armed Services Day. quinaultbeachresort.com
Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho (just outside Coeur d'Alene), is giving military personnel free admission May 26, 27 and 28. Spouses and children will receive a special discount. silverwoodthemepark.com
EXCHANGE STUDENT COUPON BOOK
The Lewis Main Exchange rewards students with their "You Made the Grade" coupon book. Stop by the office in the back right corner and show your children's report cards to get these valuable booklets. Freebies include a six-inch Subway sandwich, haircut and Burger King value meal. Discount coupons include 20 percent off Under Armour apparel and any pair of footwear.
LEISURE AND TRAVEL DISCOUNTS
In the South Sound, military discounts are offered at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Ask at the gate for details. Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound gives up to 20 percent off most rooms when booking online with the offer code HEROES. In Seattle, military families get 20 percent off admission or membership at the Pacific Science Center and $2 off a Beneath the Streets walking tour.
Don't forget to utilize MWR's Leisure Travel Services located in the bowling alley on Main Post. They're a great resource for saving on travel and entertainment. They sell discounted game tickets for the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Rainiers. You can also purchase discounted tickets to AMC and Regal movie theaters, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, SixFlags, the San Diego Zoo and more. jblmmwr.com
NATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Waves of Honor program gives one complementary admission per year to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place theme park. The pass is valid for the servicemember and up to three direct dependents. wavesofhonor.com
Blue Star Museums provide free admission to active-duty military and their families Memorial Day through Labor Day. A few Washington favorites are the Seattle Art Museum, The Museum of Flight and Tacoma's Museum of Glass. Visit arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums for a full list of participating museums.
The National Park Service gives military members a free annual pass. Just a few of the Pacific Northwest national parks include Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Olympic and North Cascades in Washington State and Lewis and Clark and Crater Lake in Oregon. nps.gov
RETAIL DISCOUNTS
Locally, Ace Hardware stores offer 20 percent off the first Friday of the month. Smith Brothers Farms gives $10 off the first delivery with the coupon code MILITARY, and Yelm Veterinary Hospital provides a 10 percent discount. Show your military ID at the Centralia Outlets (40 minutes south of JBLM) to receive a free coupon book. Most of their stores offer a 10-15 percent military discount.
Many national retail chains also provide military discounts in-store and online. You can save at Best Buy, Lowes, Michaels, Nike, Eddie Bauer, Foot Locker, Old Navy and the NFL Shop. The list goes on and on. Learn more and search for deals at militarybenefits.info/military-discounts and military.com/discounts.