National Parks honor Veterans's Day with free entrance

The National Park Service will commemorate Veterans Day by waiving entrance fees and holding special events from November 11 to 13.

"America’s national parks have close ties to all those who have served, or are serving, in the military," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "There are dozens of national parks that commemorate battles fought on American soil. Veterans Day weekend is the perfect time to visit a place like Yorktown, Gettysburg, or Pearl Harbor and pay tribute to those who have served.

"Our country’s 397 national parks also preserve iconic symbols, including the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and Mount Rushmore, and places of great beauty, such as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, that have inspired generations of troops with national pride."

Some of the special events taking place this weekend include:

- A U.S. Navy Band concert at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (LA)

- Living history military encampments at Fort Moultrie (SC), Kings Mountain National Military Park (SC), Fort Pulaski National Monument (GA), and Shiloh National Military Park (TN)

- Living history Revolutionary War soldiers at Morristown National Historical Park (NJ)

- The Avenue of Flags at Andersonville National Historic Site (GA).

A complete list of events by park or state is available at www.nps.gov. In 2012, the National Park Service will offer fee free days on January 14 to 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend), April 21 to 29 (National Park Week), June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), September 29 (National Public Lands Day), and November 10 to 12 (Veterans Day weekend). More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

photo: Morristown National Historic Park, US Military Photo