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Old 10-29-2020, 05:24 PM   #1
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Veterans Now Have Free Access To National Parks

First time I've seen this. This is also for Gold Star families. And access is for National Parks, Refuges and other public lands.

Looks like we can now skip the $80 pass.

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/tr...-free-entrance
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Old 10-29-2020, 05:31 PM   #2
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I got my Pass when they were just $10 and my wife got hers for free since she needs a walker. Good to know that if I lost my pass I could show my VA card and still go through.
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Old 10-29-2020, 05:41 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by AlaskaErik View Post
First time I've seen this. This is also for Gold Star families. And access is for National Parks, Refuges and other public lands.

Looks like we can now skip the $80 pass.

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/tr...-free-entrance
I'm sure that Vet's who paid the $80 for the Sr Lifetime Pass will be getting a refund-----Right?

https://media.tenor.com/images/a25cb...c456/tenor.gif
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Old 10-29-2020, 07:27 PM   #4
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It’s been a while are the fees per vehicle or per person? I’m retired, would it cost for my spouse?
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Old 10-29-2020, 09:45 PM   #5
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It’s been a while are the fees per vehicle or per person? I’m retired, would it cost for my spouse?
Good question. My $10 pass is for me and anyone in my vehicle.
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Old 10-29-2020, 11:14 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by boydn1 View Post
It’s been a while are the fees per vehicle or per person? I’m retired, would it cost for my spouse?
It varies with the park. The Veteran gets in free only. If the park charges by the vehicle then anyone with the Veteran also gets in free.


https://www.military.com/daily-news/...#disqus_thread
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Old 10-30-2020, 08:26 AM   #7
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Let's keep in mind that us vets are only going to get entrance into the parks, the $80 Sr Lifetime Pass also gets that 50% discount on those campsites. Also you have to show proof of veteran status as per the press release.
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Old 10-30-2020, 01:52 PM   #8
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Don't know if it will apply to Veteran passes, but here is what it says about Senior passes
Who is admitted with a Senior Pass?
The Senior Pass admits pass owner/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas and pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where per-person fees are charged. (Children under 16 are always admitted free.)
Note: Photo identification will be requested to verify pass ownership.

If I have more than four people in my car, how many passes do I need?
One pass covers the vehicle at sites that charge "per vehicle".
At "per person"; sites, the applicable fee will be charged for each additional person.
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Old 10-30-2020, 02:39 PM   #9
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Yes!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlaskaErik View Post
First time I've seen this. This is also for Gold Star families. And access is for National Parks, Refuges and other public lands.

Looks like we can now skip the $80 pass.

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/tr...-free-entrance
I have this one:
"Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card"

I had a National Park Service pass but misplaced it on an 8-day whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. NPS declined to replace it without payment of a $70 (now $80) fee, but it looks like all I need to do is carry my Driver License.
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Old 10-30-2020, 03:17 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlaskaErik View Post
First time I've seen this. This is also for Gold Star families. And access is for National Parks, Refuges and other public lands.

Looks like we can now skip the $80 pass.

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/tr...-free-entrance
So, now how is the underfunded National Park Service, or whomever, going to make up the difference in their budgets? Answer: their not. The result will be further deterioration of our National Park System all for political purposes. Geez, 5 days before the election. Is there no shame?
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Old 10-30-2020, 03:47 PM   #11
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Actually the access pass was just expanded. I was at Newberry National Volcanic Monument last year and asked about military discounts. He said at the time active duty were free. I asked about retired, and he said, Well, if you have something that shows service related disability from the VA you get free access too. Luckily I had my VA medical card with me, so I got my free pass last year. Looks like the access pass has been expanded to all veterans now regardless of disability.
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Old 10-30-2020, 05:47 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine View Post
So, now how is the underfunded National Park Service, or whomever, going to make up the difference in their budgets? Answer: their not. The result will be further deterioration of our National Park System all for political purposes. Geez, 5 days before the election. Is there no shame?
For political purposes? Not a veteran are you?
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Old 10-30-2020, 06:12 PM   #13
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Free access

If you are over 65 you don't have to pay for a pass you get life it pass for free.
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Old 10-30-2020, 06:15 PM   #14
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With comments like this.... apparently there is no shame.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine View Post
So, now how is the underfunded National Park Service, or whomever, going to make up the difference in their budgets? Answer: their not. The result will be further deterioration of our National Park System all for political purposes. Geez, 5 days before the election. Is there no shame?
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Old 10-30-2020, 06:20 PM   #15
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For political purposes? Not a veteran are you?
I wouldn't think a veteran at all. May need to review the rules on political statements as well.
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Old 10-30-2020, 06:21 PM   #16
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For political purposes? Not a veteran are you?



I'm an Army Vet (64 - 67: 3/7 Cav, Schweinfurt, Germany and volunteer from Germany to Vietnam and assigned to MACV J-12, Saigon, RVN)


I believe the timing is obviously for political purposes.


.
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Old 10-30-2020, 06:33 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine View Post
So, now how is the underfunded National Park Service, or whomever, going to make up the difference in their budgets? Answer: their not. The result will be further deterioration of our National Park System all for political purposes. Geez, 5 days before the election. Is there no shame?
Considering that only 7% of the current US population are military veterans, and a large number of them are unable to travel for Park Visits or Camping, just how much do you think the NPS will actually loose?

Considering what many Vet's have given to their country free entrance ot NP's is a mere pittance.
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Old 10-30-2020, 08:33 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Chuckinca View Post
I'm an Army Vet (64 - 67: 3/7 Cav, Schweinfurt, Germany and volunteer from Germany to Vietnam and assigned to MACV J-12, Saigon, RVN)


I believe the timing is obviously for political purposes.


.
So when should a President stop doing good things for vets to make it not for political purposes? 1 year from an election? 6 months from an election? If this had happened in February of 2016 would it have been for political purposes?

Or maybe wait until 1 week after the election would it be OK then?

If the President or Joe Biden gave $1 billion to cancer research right now....I guess that would be just horrible, wouldn't it?
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Old 10-30-2020, 08:49 PM   #19
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If you are over 65 you don't have to pay for a pass you get life it pass for free.
Since when?

https://store.usgs.gov/senior-pass

I am also a veteran...timing hints of pandering.
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Old 10-30-2020, 09:06 PM   #20
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For political purposes? Not a veteran are you?
Some people do not have a full understanding of the “blank check” we veterans wrote. They resent the perks that some private companies and the government give us as a form of thanks.

There is a video kicking around the Internet of some person going nuclear over a “military discount” being given to another patron. After she is done ranting, other customers fall all over each other to pay for the military person’s meal.

I always ask for such perks. I never expect them. I am grateful for the gratitude expressed by these bits of consideration.

All gave some. Some gave all. I appreciate all those who gave far more than I ever did. I see some of them every day on my job, some of them with visibly missing parts, others whose missing parts are not visible at all. Unfortunately, many others cannot ever take advantage of military or veteran discounts. They are gone.
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