Biden Admin gives US veterans and Gold Star families free lifetime admission to all National Parks!

[Native]

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. ~Dept. of the Interior

Link to tweet

?t=A-ty1WGSqTBawlJA7EeMsg&s=19

[ProudMNDemocrat]

1. Let's see how fast any Trump Judge revokes that order as "unlawful".

[Walleye]

4. Oh I thought the same thing. They'll say the President has "overreached"

[COL Mustard]

23. Dammit.

I already bought my lifetime old fart pass. I wonder if they’ll give me back my money!!!

[MiHale]

77. Same here...oh well it's been worth every penny

[Grins]

39. Beat me to it. That was fast!!

[Cha]

58. I was thinking when I read that..

that DT would tell them they're suckers and how stupid they are.

[chowder66]

2. Literally a beautiful gift!!

[HAB911]

3. Link

Department of the Interior

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/new-lifetime-pass-available-military-veterans-and-gold-star-families-access-public

[LeftInTX]

44. Thanks gonna share on FB!

[onetexan]

5. omigosh this is a BFD!!!

THANK YOU MOJOE!!!

[calimary]

83. I like that! MOJOE!

Almost as much as I like him!

Voting for Joe Biden. What a FABULOUS return on investment! Payoffs almost every day!

I’ve lived to see a fair number of Presidents. Several whom I liked and was proud of. He towers over them all.

[Lucinda]

6. ❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️

[ColinC]

7. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forever!?!?

[Gore1FL]

8. I mean, I guess.

I don't understand the seemingly unending glorification of the military.

[LisaM]

11. I don't either, but...

They do a job for pay, and I am okay with including this as part of the pay package. I agree with you that sometimes military are treated as being somehow better than the rest of us.

It will also prove to the military that Democratic politicians are actually better for them than the Republicans who campaign off their service but drop the ball at providing benefits, especially for PTSD.

[HAB911]

13. But you would not hold it against those of us

that served at the point of a gun, taking a smidgen of remuneration in our old age would you?

[Gore1FL]

18. I have no issue with those who served in the military.

I also have no issue with teachers, sanitation workers, railroaders, truckers, firefighters, street crews, cashiers, etc. who are also heroes that make our country work. I simply don't see the need for elevation of military careers over other contributors.

[HAB911]

21. Yeah I gotcha

that's why I served until the gun was removed and I went back to my career. I feel that way about firefighters and cops, way too much hype and adulation

[maxsolomon]

15. You don't?

It's impolite to discuss today, but it serves an Imperialistic agenda that both Parties share.

[3Hotdogs]

16. I don't recognize that as glorification. These people put their lives on the line. Some for personal

benefits that come after military service. Others, because they believed in preservation of an ideal. Others (Like me. I was drafted but not inducted because of eyesight. I am not including myself as a veteran) because they couldn't think of an alternative.

Much of what they fought for was bullshit. But the point is, they did it and should be entitled to benefits because of it.

[Gore1FL]

22. A lot of people have jobs that put their lives on the line.

I am not suggesting they not get adequately compensated. I am suggesting there are others that deserve a turn at the trough.

[Hekate]

42. It just comes across as envy, like if you can't have the goodies no one should. I'm sure you ...

… don’t really mean that.

[Gore1FL]

51. I don't mean it like that at all. I fill none of the roles I am giving as examples.

I think we do go a bit overboard in elevating soldiers over every single other contributor to our society. The really don't need to be an elevated class.

The VA is great. I'd like to see universal healthcare, though;

I'd like the school janitors to be recognized for their contributions of keeping schools healthy for our children, too.

Honestly, the guys that haul my garbage away every week do a lot to keep me safe. Where is their perk?

[IronLionZion]

20. Republicans send them off to die or get wounded

while Democrats see that they are taken care of when they come back.

[pazzyanne]

62. Exactly! nt

[Tommy Carcetti]

45. Regardless of their mission, they served their country.

I have no problem giving them a perk or two in that respect.

[Gore1FL]

48. But why exclude teachers, garbage collectors, linemen, and bus drivers? nt

[Tommy Carcetti]

50. We're kind of trending into "All Lives Matter" type of thinking here.

But most teachers, garbage collectors, linemen, and bus drivers generally are not federal employees, for starters.

[Gore1FL]

52. So "Military lives Matter" is a thing now? nt

[Pacifist Patriot]

60. Thank you

I am a little surprised by the push back to this. Maybe a little prickly because my dad is a Vietnam vet, but whatever.

I would be all in favor of state patrol getting free passes to their state parks. Teachers and garbage collectors getting free access to county and municipal park services.

Is this really that hard to parse?

[Gore1FL]

61. You are agreeing with me then.

That's hardly pushback.

[pwb]

54. Maybe the trump flag makers could make buttons that say

I never served. Proudly? Gore who won Florida was a Nam Vet.

[Gore1FL]

56. I know Gore was in the military. I know he served in Vietnam.

I am not sure what that has to do with anything I've argued, though.

[Pacifist Patriot]

59. I wouldn't call it glorification.

The definitions of veteran and gold star mean someone put their life on the line. Free access to national parks seems a small perk in the scheme of things.

[Gore1FL]

64. Teachers put their lives on the line every day, too.

82 soldiers we lost in 2022 as of 10/11 2022.

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/10/11/the-army-is-about-to-set-a-record-low-for-accidental-deaths/#:~:text=In%20total%2C%20the%20Army%20lost,Army%20safety%20data%20released%20Friday.


273 people were killed in school shootings 2022 as of 10/25/2022. I don't know how many of those were faculty.

https://k12ssdb.org/all-shootings

Sanitation workers have the fifth highest death rate:

https://www.galfandberger.com/2021/09/27/sanitation-workers-fatality-rate/



I am just saying not all heroes wear a uniform. Maybe from time to time we could thank the people that do not wear one for their service.

[Pacifist Patriot]

67. And some school systems do better at that than others.

This really does resonate with All Lives Matter sentiment. Because one group is being honored at a particular moment doesn't mean other groups aren't honored and respected as well. I'm too old for either profession, but personally I'd feel a hell of a lot safer in the military than a classroom. I'm not opposed to perks for teachers at all. But this was a nod to our veterans and gold star families and I find it an appropriate gesture.

[JI7]

71. There are benefits for teachers and school groups also at places like museums and other things

[LT Barclay]

66. Mark Twain did a great job explaining it in "The War Prayer"

[yardwork]

69. Would you agree that this is a smart political move, though?

[Gore1FL]

76. To the degree that every bone to the military seems to be smart politically.

The military is an important cog in the operation of our country. It just seems to be the only one getting the polish.

[Wingus Dingus]

81. A free park pass is "glorification"? Seniors get annual park passes for 20 bucks.

Lifetime passes for 80 bucks. Just for the accomplishment of not having died sooner.

[DBoon]

84. I think Biden should give free passes to every K-12 public school teacher

They need more public support and respect

[sarge43]

9. Thank you, Mr President.

[cilla4progress]

10. Sweet!

[NBachers]

12. This is great! I love using my National Parks Senior Card - Me and the whole carload for free!

[onetexan]

73. Hubby is former navy so we've ordered ours yesterday :)

There's a $10 processing fee but other than that ours is coming in the mail.
This is such a treat for veterans & their families. We were able to save several hundred on museums' visits on our trips to NM. We plan to do alot more travel elsewhere as well so this is a wonderful gift, courtesy of our great POTUS.

Thank you to MoJoe!!!

[childfreebychoice]

14. Sadly, right wing vets, will take advantage, and still vote for rethugs.

How long before rethugs complain this is adding to national debt, smh

[maxsolomon]

17. Just make admission free for everyone, then.

It would simplify things at the entrances.

[DENVERPOPS]

27. They could offer it for free

Except for the blatant fact that the Republican's keep hijacking the money needed by giving he uber wealthy humongous tax cuts so that there is less and less money to keep the government functioning and then they have to have charges and fees for even the most basic things.

I have no idea of how the many billions in Tax cuts the Republican Congress and Trump passed a few years ago, but it could have easily covered things like the National Parks and tons of other things.......

AND don't even get me started on the infinite ***king tax cuts corporations have received, as well as all the Corporate Welfare money that is increasing every single year.......

AND, of course, you can't leave out the Gargantuan Military Industrial Complex costs like Ike warned about.

[maxsolomon]

31. Hey, it's impolite to mention the DoD budget on Veteran's Day!

Or any other day.

Let's just support the troops, OK?

[unweird]

43. How's about we recognize that this Veterans Day is a takeoff on Armistice Day

And this vet would rather observe an armistice than warmaking.

[maxsolomon]

65. Well, I recognize that.

But after WW2 there was a reset. No Armistice, right? Surrender by both Deutschland and Japan.

[keithbvadu2]

19. Suckers and losers acc to Trump.

[peggysue2]

24. That's our President!

Who honors the military???

[sarisataka]

25. Thank you Mr President

Unasked, unexpected but very much appreciated

[ffr]

26. Now THAT'S respecting our troops! Biden making America great without a stupid hat!

[MiKenMi33]

28. Thank You Sir.

I like our President more every day.

[LaMouffette]

29. Thank you, President Biden! Can you imagine it even occurring to Mango Mussolini to do something

as kind and thoughtful as this? Of course you can't!

[DENVERPOPS]

30. I am all in

on anything and everything we can do for our Veterans who come back from our never ending, highly profitable Wars that are endless. Vets with Medical, Rehab, Disabilities, should receive all the money they need to have the finest care in the world.

After all the incredible Republican cuts in budgets to take care of the men and women that have defended our country, I cannot believe there is a single person in the military, from top to bottom that votes Republican.......that absolutely amazes me to no end. Same for ANY and ALL minorities of every shape size or description that vote for any Republican............

Sorry for the rant..........................

[Sogo]

34. For one thing,

last I knew, military radio blasts rightwing radio....

RW radio has a huge impact on listeners, much like Fox.

[DENVERPOPS]

37. Good Point, often forgotten.

It is like Russia's Provda? Total Republican propaganda force fed to the Military.......

There was a challenge to that years ago, I wonder what happened and why, that allowed it to continue?

Must have been during the Bush/Cheney occupation of the White House.......

[Hekate]

46. People such as ourselves should be in touch with their Congresspersons about this issue...

Make it a point to contact them on every military/patriotic holiday every year. Remind other DUers to do the same. Make it an issue for Democrats and for people to the left of Democrats.

Things can change.

[Sogo]

49. Yes. I totally agree....

[moondust]

32. Many thanks, Biden Administration!

[BadgerMom]

33. Most excellent!

[Permanut]

35. Thanks for the tip, Native..

I'm a vet, and I'm also passing this info on to my grandson, who I'm proud to say, is a brand new Marine!

[Native]

40. My pleasure!

[Stinky The Clown]

36. Joe is a good man

[Bo Zarts]

38. DOI link (I didn't trust blue checked Twitter)

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/new-lifetime-pass-available-military-veterans-and-gold-star-families-access-public

[LAS14]

41. Good!! GREAT!!! nt

[Hekate]

47. Thank you, President Biden. What a mensch.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

53. Hasn't that been around for a while?

I know, I know; I can look that up.

[RussBLib]

55. Actually, T**** started it in 2020, ....

...and Biden made it permanent last December. Took effect fully today.

https://www.frommers.com/blogs/arthur-frommer-online/blog_posts/veterans-and-gold-star-families-now-get-free-entry-to-u-s-national-parks

But I do think it's a good idea.

[Cha]

57. What a Thoughtful Gift from our Prez! 💕🤷‍♂️ nt

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

63. Sweet. Hope that doesn't become worthless

when some R admin turns all the Parks over to the oil & logging corporations.

Reason #8,673,00 to never vote for an R!

[scarletlib]

68. One question: how where do you get this pass?

Last edited Sat Nov 12, 2022, 09:05 AM - Edit history (1)

[Native]

70. Here ya go...

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 by visiting the U.S. Geological Survey’s website.   
http://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/new-lifetime-pass-available-military-veterans-and-gold-star-families-access-public

[scarletlib]

74. Thank you!

[Emile]

72. Thanks for posting this. Forwarding to all the members of my American Legion Post.

[Native]

75. Thanks for doing this!

[llashram]

78. just have to

show my VA card I guess...

[Native]

79. Looks that way! Glad they made it reasonably simple. That doesn't happen too often.

[republianmushroom]

80. I like it

[Snackshack]

82. Very Cool.

This is a very cool thing to do granted it’s not much but it shows a compassion the President Biden has for our Military. Certainly the GOP will see and say only negative things about this and cry about raises or healthcare (which President Biden has been trying to improve also) but 🖕them.

Thank you President Biden

[Emile]

85. Kick