America the Beautiful Lifetime Military Pass

We visited Joshua Tree National Park and I picked up my lifetime parks pass.

My lifetime parks pass My lifetime parks pass

I was surprised about a year ago when checking into Everglades National Park that I warranted a free annual parks pass because of my “veteran” status. I put that in quotes because I don’t have a military ID any more, I never served operationally in a combat operation (though I do have a Desert Storm campaign ribbon). What I do have is a veteran tag on my Florida driver license, and that was enough to clue in the park ranger when I showed my ID for the pass we purchased. I actually tried to talk her out of giving me a free pass, but after some research I learned that this is a new benefit offered as of 2021.

Starting in November 2022, veterans can now get a lifetime pass. So I did.

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