In the News
As National Parks get crowded, reps want spots saved for troops, vetsMilitary Times
Washington, DC,
October 7, 2022
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Leo Shane III
Tags:
Veterans
A lottery system is in place for admission to the most popular national parks, including Zion in Utah. Lawmakers want the Park Service to set aside a portion of the lottery selections for active duty military and dependents, Gold Star families and veterans. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is asking the National Park Service to guarantee access to its sites for some members of the military, veterans and Gold Star families, even on days when the locations are at their maximum capacity for tourists. In a letter sent to service officials on Friday, the 22 Republican and Democratic House members said the move would be “a small change, but would have a positive impact” on the veterans and military community. Last year, Congress approved legislation providing free access to National Parks sites across the country for veterans and Gold Star family members. Active-duty troops and their dependents can also get into the parks for free (although other fees, such as campsite reservations, still require payment). The letter — led by Reps. Ben Cline, R-Va., and Chris Pappas, D-N.H. — notes that while the passes for those groups allow them to avoid the entrance fees, they do not guarantee access in peak visiting times. Read more here. |