DENVER -- Wednesday's salute to Colorado’s veterans didn't just happen at parades, memorials and schools.

It also happened at businesses up and down the Front Range.

Waterway carwash offered vets a free express wash and 10 cents off each gallon of gas.

"It was kind of a nice surprise," said Mandell Winter, a Vietnam war vet. "I hadn't experienced anything like this before."

Carwash manager Joey Ortega told 7NEWS, "It's a mutual appreciation. We provide a service to them and they provide a great service to us."

At Pro Cuts, veterans received a free haircut.

The manager of the Lakewood salon on South Wadsworth Boulevard spent the entire day clipping hair.

"It was so much fun," Michelle Martinez said." "It was an experience. You learn a lot listening to all the war stories. That was the best part."

"It's nice to get something back," said Vietnam vet Bob Bixler. "Veterans weren't always appreciated back then."

Bixler said the free haircuts were a great way to honor vets.

When asked why more businesses seemed to be honoring vets this year, Martinez said, "I think it's because of the economy."

Former Guardsman Tim Renschen said he thinks it's because of concern about a combination of things.

"There was the shooting incident at Fort Hood, and people are worried about a possible escalation of the war in Afghanistan," Renchen said.

It wasn't just men being honored.

At D'Anelli Bridal and Tux, owner Sandi Schreivogel gave away 25 wedding dresses as part of the Brides across America program.

The dresses were given to brides-to-be who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan or whose fiances served or are serving there.

"I'm ecstatic," said Leyla Davis. "My fiance and I are both military and we're getting married Nov. 28."

Davis tried on several dresses before finally settling on the one she wanted.

"It's a free beautiful dress. I think this dress was originally a $3,500," she said. "I'm getting it for free."

Schreivogal said the Brides across America program "is near and dear to my heart."

"I’m actually a widow of a Vietnam veteran,” she said. “So I can relate to this."

The program was so popular that several brides-to-be lined up outside the shop before it opened.

Several restaurants also got in on the action, offering free entrees, appetizers or two for one deals.

It was their way of saying thank you.