Spotlight: Honoring Veterans
Spotlight: Honoring Veterans
Honor Veterans with a visit to America's Public Lands.
Manuel Cruz Diaz, 90, of Toto, Guam served the US Navy during World War II and was aboard the USS West Virginia where he witnessed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
What better way is there to honor America’s veterans than with a visit to one of America’s public lands or special places?
If, as Aldo Leopold once wrote, wilderness "is the very stuff America is made of," then why not thank a veteran friend or family member by inviting him or her to the outdoors to hike, bike, fish, camp, swim or sightsee in the country they served? It’s a great way to honor America’s veterans any time of year!
Before You Go
Get inspired by the story of the Wounded Warriors on Denali, veterans who set out to summit the tallest peak in North America and of Park Ranger and former combat Marine Dan Tottle, who visited "the wild places of our National Parks" to help him leave behind the sights and sounds of war.
View our video tribute to Veterans.
Fee Free Days
Did you know that on Veterans Day Weekend, November 10-12, 2012, entry is FREE on your National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service and National Forest managed lands?
Not a veteran? These “fee free” days are for everyone in honor of America’s veterans!
Army Corps of Engineers lakes as a rule don’t charge entrance fees anyway, but many offer special activities and programs for veterans like the Veterans Trail at Coralville Lake, Iowa. Check with the lake nearest you.
If you’re in the Washington DC area, visit the National Archives and see the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights that so many veterans felt called to protect, or pay homage to one of America’s battlefields and military parks across the country and learn more about the history of how and why they served.
Find the closest federal public lands and special places near you by entering your city, state, or zip code in the Recreation.gov search box on our home page or follow the agency links above—all of them provide map, state or zip code search features.
