Military Connection: Museums Won’t Charge Entry to Military: By Debbie Gregory

This summer, millions of American families will visit thousands of museums, monuments and historical sites across the country. Depending on the site, families will spend up to $100 or more for each visit to these centers. But thanks in part to the collaboration called Blue Star Museums, more than 2,000 museums around the country will offer free admission to military families this summer.

Since 2010, Blue Star Museums, a coalition comprised of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, has partnered with museums and attractions across the country to provide complimentary admission to active duty service members, as wells as members of the National Guard, Reserves and their families.

While admission to these educational and patriotic centers are often minimal and used to keep up their exhibits, the free admission is just another way that Americans are saying thank you to our men and women in uniform and their families.

The Blue Star Museums offer runs from now through Labor Day, September 1, 2014. For the entire summer while on vacation, while on a weekend excursion or a local daytime outing, service members and their families can take advantage of this wonderful thank you gift.

The offer is valid at over 2,000 Blue Star Museums across the U.S. and its territories. The free admission is offered to anyone with a Common Access Card (CAC) or DD Form 1173 ID Card (Military Dependent ID) and up to five family members. The service member does not need to be present, but an ID holder (as stated above) needs to be. Family members can include parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.

Unfortunately, at this time, the Blue Star Museum Program does not offer free entry to Veterans or parents and family members of service members unless they have a valid military or dependent ID.

For more information about Blue Star Museums, including finding participating Blue Star Museums near you please search www.arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.

Museums interesting in joining the Blue Star Museums Program should email bluestarmuseums@arts.gov

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