Free National Park visit for all, free CVSR train ride for veteran's families

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio - America’s 398 national parks will offer everyone free admission on Nov. 10 and 11 during Veterans Day weekend in honor of those that serve and have served in the United States military.

From frontier forts to World War II battlefields, more than 70 national parks have direct connections to the military.  These include our earliest national parks where army engineers designed park roads and buildings and the cavalry enforced regulations from 1886 until the National Park Service was established in 1916.

National parks throughout the country will hold special events to commemorate Veterans Day. Highlights include evening candlelight tours of Vicksburg National Cemetery where visitors will encounter historical personalities, the 7th annual illumination of 6,000 graves at Poplar Grove National Cemetery in Petersburg National Battlefield, a Continental soldier encampment at Independence National Historical Park, a talk on the African American Civil War experience at Natchez National Historical Park, and an exhibit and talks about the Roosevelts in the World Wars at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site.

Additional benefits for veterans on Veterans Day include a free Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area cruise that will pass the USS Constitution on its way to Georges Island, home of Fort Warren and, in partnership with the Gettysburg Foundation, free entrance to the Gettysburg National Military Park museum.
The Veterans Day weekend is the last of the National Park Service entrance fee free days for 2012.

More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm . In addition, Veteran’s will be honored with a free train ride on November 12, 2012

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) announced a free train ride to honor veterans and their families on Monday, November 12, 2012, through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The train will depart from the Rockside Station, located at 7900 Old Rockside Rd, Independence, Ohio, at 1:30 p.m. for a three-hour excursion to Akron Northside Station and back. Passengers will be able to enjoy the Voices of the Valley audio tour, which describes the cultural and natural history of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP).

The free tickets will be available at the Rockside Station 45 minutes prior to departure, and will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis. No advanced tickets are available. All current military members, veterans and their families are invited. World War II Veteran’s will be seated in the Premium Section as special recognition. Wheelchair access is available, though limited.

For more information about the railroad, visit www.CVSR.com . For more information about the park, visit www.nps.gov/cuva/ or call 330-657-2752.

Watch the special video to promote this event: