To commemorate Veterans Day and honor those who have served in the military, all National Park Service entrance fees will be waived for everyone on November 11. In addition, beginning on Veterans Day, the Trump administration will provide free entrance to national parks for Gold Star Families and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“The Trump administration is committed to honoring American patriots – the men and women who have served in our armed forces,” said Interior Secretary David L. Bernhardt. “With the utmost respect and gratitude, we are granting veterans and Gold Star Families free access to the iconic and treasured lands they fought to protect starting this Veteran’s Day and every single day thereafter.”
Secretary Bernhardt announced on October 28 that beginning on Veterans Day 2020 and going forward, Gold Star Families and U.S. military veterans will be granted free access to national parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior.
Additionally, lands and waters managed by the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be participating in the program. The entrance fee waiver does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, transportation, special recreation permits or special tours.
For purposes of this program, a veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and is able to present one of the following forms of identification when entering a national park:
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Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card)
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Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
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Veteran ID Card
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Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card
Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces.
There are more than 100 national parks with direct connections to the American military, including frontier forts, battlefields, national cemeteries, and memorials. From Minute Man National Historic Park in Massachusetts where colonists stood in defense of their rights to Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in South Dakota which preserves relics related to the Cold War, national parks recall the contributions and selfless service of the military throughout the history of our nation.
In addition to historical sites, national parks provide veterans and current military members and their families with opportunities for relaxation, recreation, and camaraderie in the great outdoors. Many parks are popular destinations for active adventures like hiking, climbing, cycling, swimming, and scuba diving, while others are known for more tranquil activities such as camping, fishing, wildlife watching, and observing the night sky. NPS.gov provides a map that highlights national parks near Veterans Administration facilities across the country and provides detailed information about each park.
Current members of the military and their dependents are eligible for a free annual pass to national parks through the interagency America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program. Other free or discounted passes are available for persons with permanent disabilities, fourth grade students, volunteers, and senior citizens age 62 years or older. In addition, fifth grade students may obtain a voucher for free entrance during the 2020-21 school year by visiting NPS.gov/kids.
Veterans Day is the last free entrance day of 2020 for the general public. The other fee-free days that marked days of celebration and commemoration included the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., National Public Lands Day, Veterans Day, and the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act.
Comments
What is a Veteran ID Card? The document that certifies prior US military service is a DD-214. It sounds like civilians without understanding of military procedures are spouting off and trying to sound patriotic--or else I was misinformed at my discharge (no such thing as a Veteran ID Card) or things have changed.
There is a retired ID card, but one can be a veteran without being retired. As described, the policy seems to allow active duty members, retired members, and veterans from states that note service on license plates and ID cards to get free admission, but not necessarily all veterans.
By the way, a civilian with no active duty experience can get a Common Access Card (CAC). (A CAC Card is a Common Access Card Card, which is somewhat redundant.) If presenting a CAC allows free admission to a National Park, then we are honoring the veterans by allowing some non-veterans free admission.
All in all, it sounds like a typically thought out political stunt.
Will, yes there is a Vet ID card now, it's has not been around too many years. It looks like this was copied and pasted directly from the us park service web page Nps.gov So you will need to get one before you apply (unless you have one of the other forms of ID). I recall hearing the veterans ID was so people who did not retire could prove they are a veteran for this type of thing without bringing a DD-214 (which has information you don't want copied) for some discount. You can apply here https://www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/vic
Thanks for that update, George. I'm not sure how I would have been notified, but it seems a bit sad that I get information about veteran's benefits from National Parks Traveler. Thanks, NPT!
I've got a VFW membership, or did years ago. And a DD214. I'll have to look into the Vets ID card.
Seems silly that Cadet Bonespurs will probably also qualify for it by virtue of his time as Commander in Chief, even though it is obvious that he would need a change of drawers if he ever was under fire.