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Contact: Karl Cordova, (520) 723-3172
Casa Grande Ruins Offers Free Admission on Veterans Day Weekend - November 10-12, 2012 COOLIDGE, AZ- Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, along with all other National Park sites, will honor U.S. military veterans and current members of the U.S. Armed Forces with free admission for all visitors on Veterans weekend, Saturday, November 10 through Monday, November 12. In addition, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Veterans Day, November 11, Don Wells and Jean Groen will demonstrate foods and products made from desert plants and speak to visitors about desert survival. "With their service, military veterans and current military members have helped to preserve our national park system, which includes some of America's most fascinating and beautiful national treasures. The National Park Service is pleased to demonstrate our appreciation by waiving fees for this day of recognition each year." said Casa Grande Ruins Superintendent Karl Cordova. "Residents from nearby communities are encouraged to join visitors from other distant places to take advantage of the free admission and spend part of their Veterans Day weekend at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument." "National parks preserve places that commemorate our country's collective heritage - our ideals, our majestic lands, our sacred sites, our patriotic icons - which our military has defended through the years," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of military members, past and present, and honored to tell their story at many of our national parks." Active duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents are reminded that they can pick up a free America the Beautiful pass at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument any day between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.. They must show a current, valid military identification card. This pass will permit the pass owner, and up to 3 other adults traveling with them, to visit all National Parks with entrance fees without charge. The pass is valid for 12 months. Travelers who are not U.S. active duty members may purchase a similar pass for $80. Western National Parks Association (WNPA) supports Casa Grande Ruins National Monument through book and gift sales in their store in the visitor center. WNPA will offer a 15% discount on all sales on fee free days. This discount applies to all park visitors, not just veterans and active military. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument protects the multi-story 'Great House' and the ruins of other ancient structures built by the people of the Sonoran Desert over 800 years ago. Established as the nation's first archeological reserve in 1892, the Ruins sparked the beginning of the archeological preservation movement in America. The Monument is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Directions and additional information are available on the Monument's website, or you may call (520) 723-3172. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015