Virginia State Parks to Honor All Active-Duty Military & Virginia Veterans

      

Governor McDonnell Announces Virginia State Parks to Honor All Active-Duty Military and Virginia Veterans with Free Admission Through December 31st
– Will Also Offer Free Admission to All Visitors June 13th-19th During the Week-Long Celebration of Virginia State Parks –

RICHMOND - Two days before the start of Memorial Day Weekend, Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that as part of the year-long celebration of the 75^th anniversary of Virginia State Parks, all active-duty military, as well as veterans residing in Virginia, will receive free admission to all Virginia State Parks beginning this Friday and continuing through the end of the year.
"Our brave women and men of the military are called upon to sacrifice in countless ways. Now, a grateful Commonwealth thanks them for their service with free admission to all Virginia State Parks from this weekend through the end of the year. This is a small gesture of appreciation for the women and men who have given so much to defend our liberty and freedom. There are 327,000 active-duty military personnel, and families, as well as 823,000 armed forces veterans, who make their homes here in Virginia. We hope many will take advantage of this opportunity. We are also pleased to offer free admission to Virginia's State Parks for all visitors from June 13^th-19^th, in recognition of the 75^th Anniversary of the Parks. I encourage all Virginians to get out to a State Park this summer and discover first-hand our Commonwealth's beauty and wonders."
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages the award-winning Virginia State Parks, is waiving all parking fees, the only fees charged at State Parks by the Commonwealth, for all Virginia-resident armed forces veterans. Fees are also waived for all active duty members of the armed forces including activated reservists and National Guardsmen, regardless of their state of residency. The offer is also good for the immediate family of active-duty personnel even if that person is not with the family.
To participate, veterans must either have a retired military identification card or a standard discharge form known as a DD214. Active duty personnel must have their photo identification card issued by the Department of Defense, and family members must have their government-issued ID card.

"Virginia has the best state parks in the country, and Governor McDonnell and I remain committed to making Virginia the nation's most veteran-friendly state," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Terrie Suit. "This celebratory admission is a natural fit that continues our long-standing commitment to Virginia's active and retired military."

The free admission for military is not the only special in the year-long celebration in Virginia's state parks, which opened June 15, 1936.

"We'll offer free parking to all visitors June 13-19 as we celebrate our 75^th anniversary all week long," said DCR Director David Johnson. "With more than 8 million visitors a year, and around a $189 million impact on Virginia's economy, Virginia State Parks play an important role in Virginia's outstanding quality of life."
For more information about Virginia State Parks, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

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