Here are Veterans Day events and freebies across Whatcom County

Veterans Day is Tuesday, Nov. 11, and to honor those who have served our country, local events are being held across Whatcom County.

Here is your guide to local Veterans Day events and specials this year:

• A Veterans Day ceremony will be hosted at The American Legion Albert J. Hamilton Post in Bellingham at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11. The free event is open to all and will include Presentation of the Color with a 21-gun salute, music by the Bellingham Community Band and the Bellingham Pipers, and a presentation by Bryce Bennet, author of “A Greater Destiny.” The ceremony will be at 1688 W. Bakerview Rd. in Bellingham.
• Lummi Nation School will have no school on Tuesday, Nov. 11, but will host a public Veterans Day assembly at 10:30 a.m. Lummi Nation School is at 2334 Lummi View Dr. in Bellingham.
• The Blaine Senior and Community Center is hosting a Veterans Day Card Making class, where participants of all ages are welcome to work together to make cards for veterans. The event is free to attend and all materials are provided. The Blaine Senior and Community Center is at 763 G St. in Blaine.

Many businesses also strive to honor Veterans Day by offering military members free meals and specials. These Whatcom County specials are available for Veterans Day:

• Bellingham’s Applebee’s restaurant will be offering free meals for all veterans on Nov. 1. Guests can also participate in the “Buy a Vet a Beer” promotion that allows them to pre-purchase a beer and leave a note for a veteran through Nov. 11. Proof of U.S. Military Service may be requested. Bellingham’s Applebee’s restaurant is at 1069 E Sunset Dr.
• Bellingham’s Panera Bread restaurant is giving away free pastries and cups of coffee to veterans on Nov. 11. Veterans are encouraged to bring valid military I.D. or proof of U.S. Military Service. Bellingham’s Panera Bread is at 1295 E Sunset Dr.
• IHOP will give away a free “Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo,” including two pancakes with berry toppings, two eggs, hashbrowns and the choice of bacon or sausage all day on Nov. 11 for veterans. Bellingham’s IHOP is at 420 W. Bakerview Rd.
• Joy of Pilates & Fitness, a fitness studio in Bellingham, is giving away free private fitness sessions to all veterans during November. For more information, contact the fitness studio or visit them at 2130 Grant St. in Bellingham.
• Red Robin will give away a free burger and fries all day for Veterans Day on Nov. 11, for dine-in only. Red Robin is at 100 Telegraph Rd. in Bellingham.
• Starbucks will give all veterans a free 12 oz hot or iced coffee on Nov. 11. Starbucks has various locations throughout Whatcom County.
• Texas Roadhouse honors veterans with free meal vouchers on Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The vouchers can be used through May 31, 2026 for a free entrée, two sides, and a nonalcoholic drink. Texas Roadhouse is at 4331 Meridian St. in Bellingham.

This story was originally published November 9, 2025 at 5:15 AM.

Alyse Smith

The Bellingham Herald

Alyse Smith is a reporter at The Bellingham Herald covering retail, restaurants, jobs and business. If you like stories like this, please consider supporting our work with a subscription to our newspaper.