Happy Veteran's Day!

[happystuff]

Many thanks and prayers to all who have served, all who are serving and all who will serve.

[iris lilies]

Thanks to all who served.

[Teacher Terry]

I am grateful to all that have served!

[early morning]

I am grateful to all that have served!

As am I. THANK YOU to all our vets and current service members, today, and all days.

[razz]

It was an especially touching scene when I took the dog for his walk through our local cemetery this morning. I observed a gentleman in jeans and a peaked hat walking slowly among the headstones in the section for service veterans. He was studying each stone intently before slowly moving to the next one. It seemed at though each was receiving a prayer from a grateful man with no audience. I will remember that image for a long time.

[LDAHL]

I get a free burger today!

[Alan]

I get a free burger today!
My wife, who's also a veteran, received a $25 Cracker Barrel gift card from her school this morning, plus we get the same free burger. Yippee!

[happystuff]

I know there are "free" out there today, but not really up for heading out - it's rainy here. Enjoy your burgers!!!

[LDAHL]

My wife, who's also a veteran, received a $25 Cracker Barrel gift card from her school this morning, plus we get the same free burger. Yippee!

Plus, I’ll get a free flag for my coffin when the time comes.

[Alan]

Plus, I’ll get a free flag for my coffin when the time comes.Yes, and a free grave on a local hero's hill* if you like. We have quite a collection of the flags and Presidential condolence letters in my family.

*phrase stolen from John Prine's Sam Stone

[razz]

Idahl and Alan, I am confused by your posts and their intent.

[happystuff]

Plus, I’ll get a free flag for my coffin when the time comes.

I don't know if my kids even realize they will get this when I die, even though I'll be cremated. Should probably tell them. LOL

[Alan]

Idahl and Alan, I am confused by your posts and their intent.
We're veterans. It's nice to be remembered by our friends and neighbors one day a year but a free burger, a flag and 20 sq. ft. of land when we die are nice too.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, we're now entitled to a free lifetime pass to our National Parks too. That one was a long time coming.

[LDAHL]

I didn’t know about the National Parks pass.

My grandfather referred to it as “Armistice Day” his whole life. He was in the 33rd Infantry Division with the AEF, and came home with a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. My family has maintained a century-long record unblemished by gallantry ever since.

[Alan]

I didn’t know about the National Parks pass.

It's a brand new benefit, effective today. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/10/28/fees-at-national-parks-waived-for-veterans-gold-star-families-starting-next-month/

[LDAHL]

I finally get to use the veteran logo on my driver’s license!

[Alan]

I finally get to use the veteran logo on my driver’s license!Apparently, in Ohio, you have to ask for that designation on your license and I never have. I wonder why a DD214 is not on the list of approved identifiers?

[frugal-one]

I finally get to use the veteran logo on my driver’s license!

What is the benefit of that? My DH is a veteran.


ETA... guess this would be one reason?
For free access to the sites, veterans will have to present a Department of Defense Identification Card, a Veteran Health Identification Card, a government-issued Veteran ID Card or a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card confirming an individual’s status as a veteran.

[happystuff]

It's a brand new benefit, effective today. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/10/28/fees-at-national-parks-waived-for-veterans-gold-star-families-starting-next-month/

I didn't realize this either. Thanks for the link; will be checking it out.

Edited to add: What I am reading says vets with disability ratings... I'm a bit confused.

Got this off the application:

"A document issued by a Federal agency, such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Administration, which attests thatyou have beenmedically determined to be eligible to receive Federal benefits as a result of blindness or permanentdisability. Otheracceptable Federal agency documents include proof of receipt of Social Security Disability Income(SSDI) orSupplemental Security Income (SSI)"

So this is not for ALL veterans?

[Alan]

I didn't realize this either. Thanks for the link; will be checking it out.

Edited to add: What I am reading says vets with disability ratings... I'm a bit confused.

Got this off the application:

"A document issued by a Federal agency, such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Administration, which attests thatyou have beenmedically determined to be eligible to receive Federal benefits as a result of blindness or permanentdisability. Otheracceptable Federal agency documents include proof of receipt of Social Security Disability Income(SSDI) orSupplemental Security Income (SSI)"

So this is not for ALL veterans?
Yes, it is for all veterans and Gold Star families. I was incorrect in calling it a lifetime pass because there is apparently no pass involved, just free admittance for anyone with the proper identification. https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

[happystuff]

Yes, it is for all veterans and Gold Star families. I was incorrect in calling it a lifetime pass because there is apparently no pass involved, just free admittance for anyone with the proper identification. https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Thanks!

[early morning]

Apparently, in Ohio, you have to ask for that designation on your license and I never have. I wonder why a DD214 is not on the list of approved identifiers?

Alan, a DD214 IS an acceptable doc in OHIO since 2011: as noted below:

The “Armed Forces” stamp, which has been in existence since December 2009, enables these
veterans to have a photo ID as a sign of their service. To be eligible to receive the stamp, at no extra
cost, veterans must provide to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles a copy of their DD 214 or DD 215 when
they renew their driver’s license or military ID. Other forms of identification acceptable to receive
the stamp include a VA ID, a current military ID, a leave and earnings statement, or a copy of orders.

http://www.ohiomoaa.org/documents/armedforces-stamp.pdf

[Alan]

Alan, a DD214 IS an acceptable doc in OHIO since 2011: as noted below:

The “Armed Forces” stamp, which has been in existence since December 2009, enables these
veterans to have a photo ID as a sign of their service. To be eligible to receive the stamp, at no extra
cost, veterans must provide to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles a copy of their DD 214 or DD 215 when
they renew their driver’s license or military ID. Other forms of identification acceptable to receive
the stamp include a VA ID, a current military ID, a leave and earnings statement, or a copy of orders.

http://www.ohiomoaa.org/documents/armedforces-stamp.pdf
Yes, I'm aware of the requirements to have the stamp on your license, I've simply never done it although my wife has. It's bugging me a bit now because I just renewed my Ohio license two weeks ago. >:(

In my original question I was wondering why the National Park Service did not list a DD214 as a qualifying document at time of entry.

[nswef]

Alan, I wonder if you can get a new copy with the proper designation. It might be worth an internet check or phone call. Maryland's DOT site is very helpful!

[Alan]

Alan, I wonder if you can get a new copy with the proper designation. It might be worth an internet check or phone call. Maryland's DOT site is very helpful!
I called this morning, they'd be happy to replace my new license with another including my veteran status for $30. I'll pass on that till next time around since my wife has the designation on hers we can use at National Parks. It's really not that big a deal for us since visiting one of our National Parks with our grandson several years ago the park staff gave us a lifetime pass due to our grandson's disability. We've used that exclusively since then but I feel a little bit guilty using it when he's not with us. I sleep better with a clear conscience. ;)

[nswef]

I hear you Alan.