Free to the Military on Memorial Day Weekend

This Memorial Day local businesses have decided to show their appreciation to the military and their families. Memorial Day, of course, is not about the barbecues, beach and time away from work. Memorial Day is time to remember and celebrate those gave the ultimate sacrifice in service for the United States of America.

Florida Aquarium

May 23 – 25

All military active duty, activated, retired or drilling reservist or National Guardsmen are entitled to two free general admission tickets to The Florida Aquarium for themselves and a guest. Additional family members (up to 4 people) can receive 50% off of general admission tickets. Must present military ID at time of purchase. Discount is valid May 23, 24, 25.

Lowry Park Zoo

In honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, any active duty, activated, retired or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman is entitled to free admission on May 25, 2009 (Memorial Day). He or she will need to show a Department of Defense photo ID at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo ticket counter. As many as three direct dependents of military personnel also are entitled to free admission. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minor dependents.

Busch Gardens

Not just on Memorial Day, but throughout the year, Busch Gardens offers free park admission to members of the military.

Here’s to the Heroes provides a single day’s free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA for the service member and as many as three of his or her direct dependents. This is for active duty military

Tampa Parent
Author: Tampa Parent

4 Comments

  1. The Busch Gardens deal is only for ACTIVE military only, I am a retiree and my family and I were turned away at the door when I presented my retired ID. Just wanted to clarify so that no one else got embarassed at the gate.

    • Thank you for posting that information and thank you for your service to the United States George. I would hate for anyone else be turned away at the gate. Below is an excerpt from the admission guidelines for the Busch Gardens Military program for anyone that needs that information.
      This is part of the rules

      Any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman is entitled to free admission under the Here’s to the Heroes program.

      As many as three direct dependents of military personnel also are entitled to free admission. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minor dependents, and dependent ages 10 and over must present valid dependent I.D.

      There is a registration form that can be accessed online:http://www.herosalute.com/states/index.html

  2. I don’t understand why it doesn’t include retired and disabled vets as well. What would they lose by admitting the few that would visit everyday? They would make it up on food, games and souvenirs. Its not like it would cost anymore for the ride to operate or for the scenery to be looked at. Most likely it would draw more admissions of family and friends accompanying them. But, I guess once you served You are not worth anything to them whether you gave your ability to function normally physically or not or gave your majority of life to service to this country that makes amusement parks a possibility or not. But that what we get by having another German owned company in this country. If anyone didn’t know, it is now under German ownership!!!!

    Jeff Porter
    Jerseydevil1965@gmail.com
    ( disabled vet and proud to have served)

  3. Hi Jeff

    The program has been in place before Busch Gardens was aquired by InBev, a Belgium based company. I don’t know why veterans are not included in Busch Garden’s military program, but I will try to mention other programs on the Tampa Bay Parent site that do include veterans.

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