WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne issued the following statement in honor of Veterans Day:
“This country owes a debt that can never fully be repaid to the men and women who have worn the uniform and defended our nation in both peace time and in war. Veterans Day serves as a proud reminder of these sacrifices made in our defense and the freedoms we enjoy as a result.”
“In honor of Veterans Day and to, even in a small way, honor the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of the principles of this country, I am proud to declare that entrance to public lands managed and maintained by the Department of the Interior will be free of charge to past and present members of the U.S. military, and their families on November 11, 2007. Waiving the entrance and amenity fees for National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation lands is a small token of appreciation toward those who have served or are serving this country.”
Note: The waiver of entrance and/or standard amenity fees on Veterans Day applies to public recreation lands under the management of the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation. The Veterans Day fee waiver will take place on November 11, even though the Federal observance of the holiday occurs Monday, November 12. The fee waiver applies to entrance fees, though some sites may choose to waive additional fees on an individual basis.