Cumberland Island National Seashore News Release: Thanking America's Armed Forces

Cumberland Island National Seashore News Release
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Thanking America's Armed Forces
Active Duty U.S. Military Offered Free Entrance to All National Parks For Immediate Release Maggie Tyler 912-882-4336 x 257 Experience Your America The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

St.Marys,Georgia – To show our appreciation for those who serve in the U.S.

Military, on May 19 – Armed Forces Day – the National Park Service will

begin issuing an annual pass offering free entrance to all 397 national

parks for active duty military members and their dependents.



"We are proud to recognize these brave men and women and hope that a visit

to Cumberland Island National Seashore or any national park will offer an

opportunity to for them to unwind, relax, rejuvenate, and just have fun

with their families" stated Fred Boyles, Cumberland Island National

Seashore Superintendent.



The Annual National Park Pass, the Senior Pass, the Access Pass, and the

new annual pass for Military members only waives the cost of entrance

fees. Active duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents can

pick up their pass at the park's visitor center located on the St Marys

waterfront,at 113 St.Marys Street, in St.Marys Georgia . They must show a

current, valid military identification card to obtain their pass. More

information is available at www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm.


These passes cover entrance fees only; they do not cover user fees such as

the Cumberland Island Queen ferry fee, camping fees, or additional visitor

fees at other parks.


This military version of the America the Beautiful National Parks and

Federal Recreational Lands Pass also permits free entrance to sites managed

by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the

Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service. The pass is also

available at these locations.


"Through the years, military members, especially those far from home in

times of conflict, have found inspiration in America's patriotic icons and

majestic landscapes, places like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon

that are cared for by the National Park Service and symbolize the nation

that their sacrifices protect," said National Park Service Director

Jonathan B. Jarvis. "This new pass is a way to thank military members and

their families for their service and their sacrifices."


National parks and the military have strong ties going back to the

establishment of Yellowstone as the world's first national park in 1872.

The U.S. Cavalry watched over America's national parks and did double duty,

serving as the first park rangers until the National Park Service was

created 44 years later. During World War II, many parks were set aside for

the training and care of military personnel. Today, dozens of national

parks commemorate military battles and achievements.


Cumberland Island is the largest barrier island off the coast of Georgia,

encompassing more than 36,000 acres of maritime forests, salt marsh and

beaches. The island is also home to over 9,800 acres of Congressionally

designated Wilderness. The island's natural and cultural resources provide

a rich and diverse habitat for wildlife and offer a glimpse into the long

history of coastal Georgia. The Seashore is accessible by foot-only,

passenger ferry from the historic community of St. Marys, Georgia and is

celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.


About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service

employees care for America's 397 national parks and work with communities

across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home

recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.


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