Here's a sampling of free and discounted restaurant offerings honoring former and active military on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.

Several Knoxville-area businesses are offering Veterans Day discounts or deals to honor those who have served in the armed forces.

Since the armistice signing on November 11, 1918 at the end of World War I, the United States has celebrated Veterans Day every year. It is a day to honor military personnel, and lots of food places have chosen to honor the military with either deals or free meals.

Beyond honoring former military members for their service, Veterans Day has become an all-out competition between businesses vying to give the deepest discounts and most generous freebies to those who wore the uniform.