Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The American Legion’s Tri-Lakes post holds a ceremony that morning at the Crawford Memorial in Palmer Lake, and the Black Forest Community Club retires worn flags on Saturday, Nov. 14. Several chain restaurants with stores in the area are giving veterans a free meal or coffee. Times, addresses and conditions are below.
MONUMENT — Two veterans’ posts hold most of the week’s events. VFW Post 7829 spends three days collecting for veterans in need outside a grocery store on Baptist Road, and American Legion Post 9-11 holds the Tri-Lakes ceremony at the lakeside memorial to William J. Crawford, the Palmer Lake resident whose name the VFW post also carries. Monument Town Hall closes for the day and reopens Thursday at 8 a.m., the town says, and the Palmer Lake Town Office is also closed.
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8
Buddy Poppy drive, VFW Post 7829. Members of the Monument post hand out poppies and collect donations to support veterans in need, according to the post’s calendar. The drive returns on Veterans Day.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days · Where: outside King Soopers, 1070 W. Baptist Road, Monument · Info: vfw7829.org
Farther afield: In Their Honor Veterans Parade. More than 100 organizations and about 3,000 participants are expected to march along Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs on Saturday, the Gazette reports, with about 250 women representing Rosie the Riveter as the parade marshal.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday · Where: Tejon Street, downtown Colorado Springs · Cost: Free
Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Veterans Day ceremony, American Legion Post 9-11. The Tri-Lakes post of the American Legion holds its ceremony at the Crawford Memorial at the north end of Palmer Lake. The speaker is retired Rear Adm. Laroche, a member of the post. The post’s notice invites “all veterans, neighbors, friends” and says veterans may come in uniform, from service dress to a flight suit. The ceremony goes ahead in any weather.
When: 10 a.m. · Where: Crawford Memorial, north end of Palmer Lake; the entrance is off County Line Road, east of the railroad tracks · Info: the post’s notice on Nextdoor
The memorial honors William J. Crawford, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for action near Altavilla, Italy, on Sept. 13, 1943. The Army reported him missing and presumed dead; he had been taken prisoner. His father accepted the medal in 1943, and President Ronald Reagan presented it to Crawford himself at the Air Force Academy in 1984, according to the Palmer Lake Historical Society, which completed the memorial with the town in 2001. Crawford and his wife moved to Palmer Lake after the war.
Buddy Poppy drive, VFW Post 7829. The post’s third day outside the grocery store.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Where: outside King Soopers, 1070 W. Baptist Road, Monument
Farther afield: free entry to state parks. Veterans, active-duty military and National Guard members get into any Colorado state park free on Veterans Day with a military ID, a DD214, a VA medical card or a Colorado driver’s license or ID marked “Veteran,” according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Camping and fishing fees still apply.
When: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14
Veterans Day celebration and flag retirement, Black Forest Community Club. Boy Scout Troop 70 retires worn U.S. flags from 3 to 4 p.m. The scouts inspect each flag, fold it and burn it on a small wood fire, then bury the ashes, following the U.S. Flag Code, the club’s November newsletter explains. A potluck and a live band follow from 4 to 9 p.m.; guests are asked to bring a dish. Worn flags can be brought to the troop’s meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., or to the ceremony itself.
When: 3 to 9 p.m. · Where: Black Forest Community Club, 12530 Black Forest Road
Free meals and coffee for veterans
The offers below are national promotions by chains with restaurants in the area. Most apply only at participating restaurants and ask for proof of service, so a call ahead is worth making. The Independent found no locally owned restaurant advertising a Veterans Day offer as of Nov. 6, though one in Palmer Lake gives veterans a discount every day. Restaurants with an offer to add can email [email protected].
Monument
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Veterans and active-duty military who come in on Veterans Day get a card for a free combo meal, with no purchase needed. The card can be used through Nov. 25, the chain says.
Where: 15778 Jackson Creek Parkway; open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday · Phone: (719) 488-5918
Texas Roadhouse. Veterans and active-duty military can pick up a voucher for a free meal, a choice of 10 entrées (among them a 6-ounce sirloin) with two sides and a drink, by showing a military or VA card or discharge papers. FSR Magazine, a restaurant trade publication, reports that every Texas Roadhouse hands out the vouchers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and that they can be redeemed through May 31, 2027. The Monument restaurant’s posted Wednesday hours begin at 3:30 p.m., so call before going at lunchtime.
Where: 16196 Jackson Creek Parkway · Phone: (719) 481-9980
Starbucks. Veterans, service members and military spouses get a free tall brewed coffee, hot or iced, at participating stores, ordered in the café or at the drive-thru. Cold brew, Nitro and customized drinks are excluded, and the limit is one per visit, the company says.
Where: 541 W. Highway 105 and 940 W. Baptist Road; Starbucks counters inside Safeway, 624 Highway 105, and King Soopers, 1070 W. Baptist Road
Palmer Lake
Palmer Lake Pub. The veteran-owned pub gives active-duty military, veterans and first responders 10% off every day, according to its website.
Where: 876 Highway 105; opens at 2 p.m. Wednesday
Northgate and Interquest Parkway
Chipotle. Active-duty service members and veterans get free chips with guacamole, queso blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase in the restaurant, all day Nov. 11, at participating restaurants. Proof of service is required: a military ID, a VA ID, a state ID marked “Veteran” or discharge papers, the company says.
Where: 99 Spectrum Loop, Colorado Springs
Chili’s. Veterans and active military get a free meal from a limited menu on Nov. 11 at participating restaurants, dine-in only; drinks and tip are not included, and the chain asks guests with questions to call the restaurant.
Where: 1304 Interquest Parkway · Phone: (719) 465-0333
Mission BBQ. The chain’s website advertises a free sandwich for veterans on Veterans Day and a live national anthem at noon.
Where: 1391 Interquest Parkway, Suite 110; open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
IHOP. Veterans get a free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo (two pancakes with strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped topping, two eggs, hash browns and bacon or sausage) at participating restaurants. It is dine-in only, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., one per guest, with military ID or proof of service, the chain says.
Where: 1344 Republic Drive, Colorado Springs
Also here: Freddy’s has a second restaurant on Interquest Parkway with the same combo-card offer, and Starbucks makes its coffee offer at 13502 Struthers Road, 1150 Interquest Parkway and the counter inside King Soopers, 2731 North Gate Boulevard.
Spotted an error, or know of a Veterans Day event or offer we missed? Email [email protected].
Sources & further reading
The Independent’s own coverage: Black Forest Community Club Will Retire Worn Flags at Its Veterans Day Celebration on November 14, on the club’s November newsletter · the community calendar, which lists the ceremony, the poppy drives and the Black Forest celebration
Event listings: VFW Post 7829 and its public calendar · American Legion Post 9-11 notice (Nextdoor) · Our Community News calendar · Black Forest Community Club, November 2026 newsletter and event page · Town of Palmer Lake calendar · Palmer Lake Historical Society, “William John Crawford”
Restaurant offers: Freddy’s · FSR Magazine on Texas Roadhouse, Oct. 27, 2026, and the Monument restaurant’s page · Starbucks · Chipotle · Chili’s · Mission BBQ · IHOP · Palmer Lake Pub
Regional: The Gazette, “More than 100 groups will march in Veterans Parade in Colorado Springs,” Nov. 4, 2026 · Colorado Parks and Wildlife, free park entry for veterans and active military
Using this reporting? Credit The Monument Independent and link to this article: https://monumentindependent.com/events-news/veterans-day-2026-tri-lakes/. Our guidelines are at Using Our Reporting.
