Veterans Day Designated a Free State Park Day for Tennessee Veterans, Including Complimentary Golfing and Night of Camping

Earlier this week Tennessee State Parks announced its annual free state park day for all Tennessee veterans on Friday, Nov. 11, offering one free night of camping and complimentary greens fees for 18 holes of golf with appropriate identification.

Passed by the General Assembly in 2010, the policy calls for a yearly, special state parks day to honor Tennessee�s resident veterans.

�This is our way of honoring the many brave men and women who have served our country,� said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. �The state parks family extends a warm invitation to all of Tennessee�s veterans to visit us on Nov. 11 and enjoy a day in one of our beautiful parks.�

The free day on Nov. 11 is in addition to Tennessee State Parks� current veterans� policy, which includes a camping discount within the state parks system and is available annually beginning November 1 through March 31, offering a 15 to 25 percent reduction off the standard nightly base rates (depending on the type of site chosen). This camping discount is available to Tennessee residents showing proof of prior military duty.

A special state park discount also is in place for active duty military personnel and members of the Tennessee National Guard. This year-round discount is given to all U.S. military � regardless of their branch of service or where they are stationed. Disabled veterans also are eligible for the Tennessee State Parks year-round ADA discount that provides a 25 to 50 percent discount for campsites. For more information about Tennessee State Parks� veterans and military discounts, please visit www.tnstateparks.com/FAQs.shtml#military.

To receive the free state park day benefits and extended discounts, veterans need to provide proof of residency with a Tennessee driver's license; and proof of veteran�s status, with a Certificate of Discharge (DD214) or Veterans Administration benefit card.

For more information on Tennessee State Parks, visit www.tnstateparks.com.


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US Forest Service waives fees during Veterans Day weekend

The U.S. Forest Service announced yesterday that they will be waiving fees at most of their day-use recreation sites over Veterans Day weekend.

The fee waivers - the third this year - are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Day-use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites operated by the Forest Service. Concessionaire operated day-use sites may be included in the waiver if the permit holder wishes to participate.

�We�re honoring our country�s brave men and women veterans by waiving fees over the long weekend,� said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. �We encourage people who might not normally enjoy our beautiful public lands to get out of the house and enjoy a forest or grassland near you. Our lands offer a wide range of recreation and educational benefits such as improved physical and mental health, emotional well being, a concern for nature, and a conservation ethic.�

The Forest Service will waive fees four times in 2012: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Weekend � Jan. 14-16; National Get Outdoors Day � June 9; National Public Lands Day � Sept. 29; and Veterans Day Weekend � Nov. 10-12. The fee waiver days support the goals of President Obama�s America�s Great Outdoors initiative and First Lady Michelle Obama�s �Let�s Move Outside.�

Traditionally, fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands and over two-thirds of developed recreation sites in national forests and grasslands can be used for free. Many recreation opportunities such as camping, sightseeing and hiking can be enjoyed throughout the year at no cost.

The Forest Service operates approximately 17,000 recreation sites nationwide. Of those, approximately 6,000 require recreation fees, which are used to provide visitor services, repairs and replacements, and facilities maintenance.


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