Veterans Day at Everglades National Park

Date: November 7, 2011
Contact: General Information, 305-242-7700
Contact: Program Manager - Ryan Meyer, 305-242-7015
Contact: Media Contact Linda Friar, 305-242-7714

Come celebrate Veteran's Day Weekend 2011 with park rangers and volunteers at Everglades National Park. Entrance fees at all park fee stations will be waived for this national holiday weekend set aside to recognize America's veterans. The birds are returning and the weather is turning cooler - so plan to get out to the park over this long weekend. There are daily ranger lead walks at Anhinga Trail and lots of other trails to explore.

SPECIAL VETERANS DAY EVENT - - NIKE HERCULES MISSILE BASE OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, November 12th, 2011 from 10am to 3pm

This is a great opportunity to take a step back in time and explore this historic American military site where armed nuclear missiles once stood guard. Following the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 the US Army built a number of missile sites around south Florida to protect the local population, including this little known base in the middle of Everglades National Park. Today this site is the best preserved example of these missile bases. Historic video footage and site tours will be available throughout the event. Nike Veterans will be on hand to provide personal perspectives, serve as tour guides and answer questions.

The base in the park was listed on the U. S. Department of the Interior's National Register of Historic Places on July 27, 2004. The area includes structures associated with events following the Cuban Missile Crisis and the larger Cold War. This base is one of four that were built in South Florida.

The Open House will begin at the Daniel Beard Center, about 7 miles from the Ernest Coe Visitor Center. The fully accessible walking tours will cover about ½ mile. Visitors should be prepared to drive 14 miles round trip from the visitor center. The Ernest Coe Visitor Center is located 9 miles southwest of Homestead on State Road 9336.

Additional information about the Nike Missile site can be found on our website or by calling [phone].

Click here to see Photo Album of A Battery

Note - The fee waiver does not apply to concession boat tours or boat rentals at Flamingo or Everglades City or to tram tours or bicycle rentals at Shark Valley.
The Shark Valley Tram is offering a buy one get one half off to veterans and their immediate family. Call 305-221-8455 for additional information on
this special.