Tacky Jacks Veterans Getaway Seeks Nominations for Three Free Gulf Coast Trips Worth $1,500 Each

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Know a veteran who could use a break? The Tacky Jacks veterans getaway program is asking the community to nominate men and women who served in the military for a chance at a free weekend on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Veterans Red, White & Beach Getaway will send three veterans on Gulf Shores and Orange Beach getaways valued at about $1,500 each. The program celebrates America’s 250th anniversary while honoring those who have worn the uniform.

The three recipients will be announced on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.

A 250th Anniversary Salute

The United States marked 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, and communities across the country have been finding ways to observe the milestone throughout the year. Tacky Jacks is tying its celebration directly to the people who served in the nation’s armed forces.

“Celebrating 250 years of freedom is also an opportunity to recognize the veterans who have sacrificed to protect that freedom,” Tacky Jacks Marketing Director Tara McMeans said in a news release.

McMeans said the getaway builds on work the restaurant group already does. “Throughout the year, we support several military and first responder initiatives, and this is one more way for us to partner with our community and give back to those who have served.”

The idea is simple: give three veterans a chance to set aside everyday responsibilities and spend a few days enjoying the sun, the water and the local attractions that bring visitors to the coast.

What the Tacky Jacks Veterans Getaway Includes

Each package is designed as a complete Gulf Coast experience, combining lodging, dining, outdoor adventure and family-friendly attractions. Each of the three veterans will receive:

• Two nights of beachfront lodging at an Orange Beach property courtesy of Innisfree Hotels. Stays will be at Best Western Premier: The Tides, Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach, Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach or Holiday Inn Express Orange Beach. Blackout dates apply.
• A $100 Tacky Jacks gift certificate plus Tacky Jacks swag.
• A $250 Visa gift card to help with travel expenses.
• A Top Tier Watersports parasail or dolphin cruise adventure for the veteran and a guest, subject to seasonal availability.
• A $100 Fort Morgan Marina gift card.
• A $25 Pelican Scoops Ice Cream gift certificate.
• An Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo family pass.
• Additional prizes from participating partners.

With three packages valued at roughly $1,500 apiece, the program represents about $4,500 in combined lodging, dining, experiences and gift cards.

Making the most of the package

The included experiences cover a wide slice of what the area offers. A parasail ride lifts passengers high above the Gulf for a bird’s-eye view of the shoreline, while a dolphin cruise heads out onto local waters in search of the bottlenose dolphins that are a common sight along the Alabama coast. Because the watersports adventure depends on seasonal availability, recipients will want to keep that in mind when planning their trip.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, at 20499 Oak Road East in Gulf Shores, offers a land-based outing for families. The family pass included in the package makes it an easy addition for recipients traveling with children or grandchildren.

How to Nominate a Veteran

Anyone in the community can submit a nomination. Nominators are asked to share a little about the veteran and explain why that person deserves some time away for fun and relaxation.

Nominations are being accepted through Tacky Jacks. Those interested should check the restaurant’s website and social media pages for the nomination form and any additional details.

A few tips can help a nomination stand out:

• Tell their story. Mention the veteran’s branch of service and what their service has meant to them, their family or their community.
• Explain the need for a break. The program is built around giving veterans time to relax, so share why this getaway would mean something to the person you are nominating.
• Be specific. Concrete examples of how the veteran gives back, cares for others or continues to serve after the military can paint a clearer picture than general praise.
• Double-check the details. Make sure names and contact information are correct so organizers can reach the veteran if they are selected.

Because the hotel stays come with blackout dates and the watersports outing is seasonal, nominators may want to talk with the veteran about scheduling flexibility before submitting.

Winners Announced on Veterans Day

Tacky Jacks will reveal the three selected veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2026, through its social media pages.

The date carries meaning of its own. Nov. 11 originally marked Armistice Day, commemorating the end of fighting in World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. Congress renamed the holiday Veterans Day in 1954 to honor American veterans of all wars, and it is now a day to thank everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces, living or deceased.

This year, the three veterans chosen for the getaway will have one more reason to mark the day.

About Tacky Jacks

Tacky Jacks has deep roots on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The original location in Orange Beach began in the 1970s as a small marina selling fuel and fishing tackle, and the bar and grill was established in 1979 as a place to unwind after a day on the Gulf.

George Skipper purchased the business in 1987 and expanded it into a full restaurant operation. Today Tacky Jacks operates three waterfront locations: the original in Orange Beach at 27206 Safe Harbor Drive, a Fort Morgan restaurant that opened in 2005 overlooking Mobile Bay, and a Gulf Shores location on the Intracoastal Waterway that opened in 2011. All three serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The company describes its brand as standing for “quality, value, family and community,” and its restaurants are known for casual family dining that guests can reach by land or by sea.

Local Partners Behind the Program

The Veterans Red, White & Beach Getaway brings together a group of local businesses and hospitality partners, each contributing a piece of the experience:

• Innisfree Hotels is providing the two-night stays at its Orange Beach properties.
• Top Tier Watersports is offering the parasail or dolphin cruise adventure.
• Fort Morgan Marina is contributing a $100 gift card.
• Pelican Scoops Ice Cream is adding a $25 gift certificate.
• The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is supplying a family pass.

By pooling resources, the partners are able to offer something none could easily provide alone: a full weekend that showcases the beaches, waterways, restaurants and attractions that make Gulf Shores and Orange Beach a destination for visitors from across the country.

What Happens Next

Nominations are open now through Tacky Jacks, and the three selected veterans will be announced Nov. 11 on Tacky Jacks’ social media pages.

No nomination deadline was included in the announcement, so anyone planning to nominate a veteran should check with Tacky Jacks and submit well ahead of Veterans Day.

For community members who know a veteran who has spent years putting others first, the program offers a straightforward way to say thank you during the nation’s 250th anniversary year, with a few days of sun, seafood and salt air on the Alabama Gulf Coast.