6 minute read
Lifetime National Park passes available to veterans
VETERANS CHRONICLE
Passholders receive free entrance to national parks, wildlife refuges, other public lands
The Biden-Harris Administration announced in November that, starting on Veterans Day (Nov. 11), veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and Gold Star families can obtain a free lifetime pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.
“We have a sacred obligation to America’s veterans. This new lifetime pass is a small demonstration of our nation’s gratitude and support for those who have selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, whose father served during the Vietnam War. “I’m proud the Department of the Interior can provide veterans and Gold Star Families opportunities for recreation, education and enjoyment from our country’s treasured lands.”
Each lifetime pass covers entrance fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle (or passholder and up to three adults at sites that charge per person) at national parks and national wildlife refuges, as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Veterans can present one of the four forms of acceptable ID (Department of Defense ID Card, Veteran Health ID (VHIC), Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or ID card) at participating federal recreation areas that normally charge an entrance fee. Gold Star Families obtain information, self-certify they qualify and download a voucher on nps.gov.
The Alexander Lofgran Veterans in Parks Act, passed in December 2021, authorized free lifetime access to federal lands to veterans and Gold Star Families. The new lifetime pass for veterans and Gold Star Families is in addition to the free annual Military Pass, which has been available to active duty servicemembers and their families since Armed Forces Day, May 19, 2012.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack commended the move.
“Our national forests and grasslands represent so much of the beauty of the nation our brave service members have sacrificed so much for,” he said. “Though they can never be fully repaid, by connecting the families of the fallen and those who served with these iconic places, we can, in a small way, say thank you.”
Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, shared his view.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and our federal teammates are proud to honor our veterans with free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas across the nation,” he said.
Chuck Sams, National Park Service director, believes it’s appropriate.
“This is a small token of appreciation for veterans who have bravely dedicated their lives to defending our freedom.” “This pass conveys our immense gratitude and respect for those who have given so much,” he said. “As a veteran, I know firsthand the many sacrifices that members of the Armed Forces and their families have made in service to our country, and I am thrilled that Gold Star Families and military veterans can now enjoy lifetime access to national parks and other public lands.” Federal recreational land management agencies offer additional lifetime passes, including a Senior Pass for US citizens or permanent residents over age 62 and an Access Pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability. More information is available on nps.gov.
Department of Veterans Affairs continues 4 core missions
To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs carries out four specific missions to make good on that commitment.
Veterans health care
VA’s Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care network in the United States, with 1,255 health care facilities serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
Veterans benefits
Veterans can earn a range of benefits that help them transition back to civilian life in the country they fought to defend. Through the Veterans Benefits Administration, VA helps servicemembers transition out of military service, and assists with education, home loans, life insurance and much more.
National cemeteries
The job of the National Cemetery Administration is to make sure those who served this nation are never forgotten. NCA provides dignified burial services for Veterans and eligible family members by maintaining 142 cemeteries as national shrines and providing lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our nation.
The fourth mission
VA’s “Fourth Mission” is to improve the nation’s preparedness for response to war, terrorism, national emergencies, and natural disasters by developing plans and taking actions to ensure continued service to veterans, as well as to support national, state, and local emergency management, public health, safety and homeland security efforts.
VETERANS CHRONICLE ON THE MOVE
Starting in January, the Veterans Chronicle will be moving inside The Spokesman-Review. It will still come out the third Friday of each month, but will be a smaller size.
Additional stories and longer stories can always be found at veteranshelpnet. com/ or on Veterans Help Net on Facebook.
We always welcome story ideas that share interesting information and resources for veterans living in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Please contact us at don@ vethelpnet.com for story suggestions.
VETERANS CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 2022 VETERANS DAY Holiday invites us to reflect, share gratitude PAGES 4-5
PLUS: - How Liberty Lake shows its appreciation for those who served - New Idaho Veterans Home opens in Post Falls - What it means to be a veteran
VETERANS CHRONICLE
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW DEC. 16, 2022
VETERANS HELP NET
Don Walker Bryan Bledsoe
MANAGING EDITOR Joe Butler
ART DIRECTOR Anne Potter
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Scott Baumbach Veterans Help Net partners with The Spokesman-Review to publish Veterans Chronicle on the third Friday of every month to increase awareness about veteran issues and to help veterans find hope and help. To share a veteran story or information about resources for veterans, please contact info@ veteranshelpnet.com or visit www.VeteransHelpNet.com. For advertising information, please contact advertising@ spokesman.com or (509) 4595095.
No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of the publisher.
IN THIS ISSUE
Lifetime National Park passes available to veterans .............................2
Remembering the sacrifices of chaplains in Vietnam...........................4
Veteran resources in the Spokane area .....................................................5
Hey veterans, did you know? .......................................................................6
What it takes to live in the Idaho Veterans Home..................................7
Unexpected support from the Army community...................................10
Why women veterans need more recognition ........................................11
Free and discounted tickets available........................................................12
WE BE LIE VE IN VA FINANCING
The United StatesS Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers home loans to active military members, reservists, and retirees, as a benefit of service in our nation’s Armed Forces. Many service members are not aware this earned benefit is available to them; many sellers are not aware of the advantages to VA loans in the transaction process. We encourage all Spokane realtors - to become familiar with this loan type so that we can all join in saying “We believe in VA financing!”
