RICHMOND, Va. - Governor Bob McDonnell announced that as part of the year-long celebration of the 75th 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.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 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.
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. The state will offer free parking to all visitors June 13-19.