White Sands Commemorates Veterans Day Weekend with Free Admission

Date: November 6, 2013

Contact: Becky Burghart, 575-479-6124, ext. 230

Alamogordo, NM

In honor of America's military veterans, entrance fees will be waived for everyone during the Veterans Day weekend, November 9 through 11, at White Sands National Monument and all 401 national parks.

America's military protects American values and our democracy abroad, while the National Park Service preserves the fabric of our democracy and values at home. Some of the great icons of our nation are national parks, including Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed;the Statue of Liberty;and the home and birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These sites collectively represent our uniquely American ideals, our collective dreams and aspirations, and our difficult moments. The national parks tell our own American story. 

Superintendent Marie Frías Sauter warmly welcomes everyone to White Sands. "Take time this weekend to enjoy your national parks with friends and family and remember the service and dedication of all our military veterans and activity duty personnel." 

Enjoy this special weekend at White Sands National Monument by taking a hike in the park, sledding down the dunes, picnicking with your friends and family, or joining a ranger for a one-hour ranger-guided Sunset Stroll, which starts at 4 pm at the Sunset Stroll sign five miles down Dunes Drive. There is no charge for the program. The monument is open seven days a week from 8 am until 6 pm. The visitor center and gift shop are open 9 am until 5 pm. For additional information about park hours and events please visit www.nps.gov/whsa or call 575-479-6124 ex. 236. 

The National Park Service also provides active duty members of the military and their dependents with an annual national park pass, an $80 value, at no charge. Permanently disabled veterans can receive a free lifetime pass to all parks. The passes provides entrance to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and many other Federal lands –more than 2,000 in all. The passes can be acquired at any national park that charges an entrance fee, including White Sands. Information about all national park passes is available at www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm.