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

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve -- This week’s National Park Getaway

Coupeville, Wash. – This week the National Park Getaway heads to the Pacific Northwest, an easy day trip from Seattle, to explore an island sanctuary in the Puget Sound composed almost entirely of privately-owned properties. Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is managed cooperatively and tells a continuing story of exploration and settlement.

The nation’s first historical reserve, Ebey’s Landing protects a rural working landscape and community on Whidbey Island. Much of the reserve, with its rich agricultural prairies, woodlands, shorelines and historic
structures, appears to today's visitors much as it did a century ago. One hundred year-old farms are still active; forests are harvested; and century-old buildings still serve as homes or businesses. The historic
waterfront town of Coupeville, located within the Reserve boundary, still serves as the county seat.

You’ll find plenty of recreational opportunities including camping, hiking and biking. Spectacular views of beaches, water and mountains and an abundance of birds and wildlife add to the allure.

Read this week’s Getaway to learn more about this timeless landscape.