U.S. Agencies Join Forces To Honor And Support Military Families

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As part of the Joining Forces initiative to support our nation’s service members and their families, several U.S. government agencies announced an annual pass to active duty service members and their dependents, granting free access to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and other public lands around the nation in the coming years.

“First Lady Michelle Obama and I started the Joining Forces initiative last year as a way to honor, recognize and support our veterans and military families,” said Dr. Jill Biden. “This effort is a wonderful way to give something back, giving our military men and women and their families a chance to reconnect with their loved ones, experience the beauty of this country, and simply have a little fun.”
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2012/05/u-s-agencies-join-forces-to-honor-and-support-military-families/

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1. News Release

U.S. Agencies Join Forces with First Lady and Dr. Biden to Honor and Support Military Families








Department of the Interior-led effort will provide a Military Pass for Free Access to National Parks and Other Public Lands









YORKTOWN, Va., May 15, 2012 – As part of the Joining Forces initiative to support our nation's service members and their families, several U.S. government agencies will announce an annual pass to active duty service members and their dependents, granting free access to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and other public lands around the nation in the coming years.

"First Lady Michelle Obama and I started the Joining Forces initiative last year as a way to honor, recognize and support our veterans and military families," said Dr. Jill Biden. "This effort is a wonderful way to give something back, giving our military men and women and their families a chance to reconnect with their loved ones, experience the beauty of this country, and simply have a little fun."

Beginning on Armed Forces Day on May 19, active duty service men and women – Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and activated National Guard and Reserves – can obtain the new military version of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass. The pass will be accepted at National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2012/05/0153.xml&contentidonly=true

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2. Military to get free passes to national parks

By DONOVAN SLACK |
5/15/12 6:03 AM EDT


Members of the military will receive free passes to National Parks and federal recreation lands as part of the Joining Forces initiative spearheaded by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.

"In recognition of their service, were so pleased to be putting out a welcome mat for our military families at America’s most beautiful and storied sites," Biden said during a conference call announcing the program.

Starting this weekend, passes will be available for active-duty military and their families at more than 2,000 sites across the nation, officials said, from Yosemite to Yellowstone. National Parks Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said yesterday that he estimates the program could cost between $2 million and $6 million.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/05/military-to-get-free-passes-to-national-parks-123442.html