Veterans Day 2026: Deals, History, and Benefits for Texas Veterans

Name: Veteran MortgageOne
Address: 1600 E Pioneer Pkwy, Suite 430, Arlington, TX, 76010, US
Telephone: 254-282-5626
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To every veteran in Texas: thank you. Veterans Day is a day to honor your service, and we think the best way to say thanks is to help you find what you've earned. This page brings together the day's deals, the story behind the holiday, and benefits many Texas veterans never claim.

Veterans Day 2026 discounts and free meals

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publishes an official yearly list of discounts, free meals, and offers for veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors: 2026 Veterans Day discounts, free meals and offers (VA News).

A few Dallas-Fort Worth offers reported on Oct. 27 (CultureMap Dallas):

151 Coffee: One free drink of any size
Cotton Patch Cafe: Free chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken (dine-in only)
Cantina Laredo: Complimentary entree, up to $30 (not at DFW Airport or Love Field)
El Chico: Complimentary entree, up to $25 at select locations
Pilot: Free sandwich plus coffee or fountain drink, via the Pilot app
Pinstack: Free personal pizza at select Dallas-area locations
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum: Free admission and programming

Most require a valid military ID. See the full DFW list. Offers vary by location and can change, so verify with each business directly. We are not affiliated with these businesses and can't confirm any offer.

Tips: bring proof of service, check whether an offer is dine-in only, call ahead, and go a little early. More in our post Veterans Day 2026 deals and how to use them.

Texas veteran benefits you may have missed

Property tax exemption
Texas veterans receiving 100% VA disability compensation may qualify for an exemption on their residence homestead. Partial exemptions may apply at lower ratings.

Hazlewood Act
Tuition and fee exemption at Texas public colleges for qualified veterans and, in some cases, spouses and children (up to 150 credit hours).

VA funding fee exemption
Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are generally exempt from the VA loan funding fee.

Free claims help
The Texas Veterans Commission offers benefits counselors who help veterans file and track VA claims at no charge.

Details and sources: Texas veteran benefits you may have missed. Eligibility rules are set by the agencies that run each program.

A short history of Veterans Day

1918Fighting in World War I ends with an armistice that takes effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
1919President Woodrow Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day observance.
1938Congress makes November 11 a legal holiday.
1954On June 1, Congress amends the law, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans" to honor veterans of all wars.
1968-1971The Uniform Holidays Bill moves Veterans Day to a Monday. The first Monday observance is October 25, 1971.
1975-1978President Gerald Ford signs a law returning the holiday to November 11, effective 1978.

Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day: Memorial Day honors those who died while serving. Veterans Day honors all who have served, living or dead. Read more: Veterans Day history. Source: GovInfo.

Your VA home loan benefit

The VA home loan is one of the most valuable benefits you've earned. Many eligible borrowers can buy with no down payment, and the VA doesn't set a minimum credit score. At Veteran MortgageOne, there is no minimum credit score requirement. Our lowest closed VA loan to date was a 487, a record rather than a typical outcome. Every file is reviewed individually and is subject to underwriting approval.

New to the process? Start with VA loans in Texas: a plain-English guide.

Wondering what your benefit could do for you?

Talk with a VA loan specialist. No pressure, no obligation.

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254-AVA-LOAN (254-282-5626) · Arlington, TX

Frequently asked questions

When is Veterans Day 2026?

Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Veterans Day honors all who have served, living or dead, with a special place for the living.

Why is Veterans Day on November 11?

It marks the armistice that took effect on November 11, 1918, which ended fighting in World War I. The day was first observed as Armistice Day and renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Where can I find Veterans Day discounts and free meals?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publishes a yearly list of offers, and local outlets publish regional roundups. Offers vary by location, so verify with each business directly.

What Texas benefits might disabled veterans qualify for?

Examples include a property tax exemption on a residence homestead for veterans receiving 100% VA disability compensation, and the Hazlewood Act tuition exemption at Texas public colleges. Eligibility rules are set by the agencies that run each program.

Veteran Mortgage One is a DBA of MortgageOne, Inc., NMLS #898812, and an Equal Housing Lender. This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Program rules, fees, and eligibility are set by the VA and lenders and can change. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property eligibility requirements. Veteran MortgageOne has no affiliation with any business or offer listed on this page.