WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (May 17, 2018) – Colonial Williamsburg honors American military service Memorial Day weekend May 25-28 with free admission tickets for active duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, National Guard members and their immediate dependents thanks to a $100,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation.
Tickets issued through the Honoring Service to America program include admission to dozens of Historic Area sites including iconic attractions and trade shops plus historic gardens, interpretive programs and the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. The program has distributed more than 28,000 tickets since 2014 and is part of The Home Depot Foundation’s philanthropic mission to improve the homes and lives of service members, veterans and their families.
“Colonial Williamsburg’s Honoring Service to America program aligns with The Home Depot Foundation’s commitment to improve the lives of military families,” said John E. Ellington, director of finance and grants administration for The Home Depot Foundation. “It is an honor to provide military families an opportunity to visit Colonial Williamsburg and immerse themselves in the history of a nation for which they sacrifice so much.”
“Colonial Williamsburg is extremely grateful to The Home Depot Foundation for its continued support of the Honoring Service to America program,” said Elisabeth Reiss, wife of Colonial Williamsburg President and CEO Mitchell B. Reiss, and leader of the Foundation’s military outreach efforts. “Colonial Williamsburg is honored to host military families this Memorial Day weekend—and every day of the year—as our nation reflects upon the heroic sacrifices military families have made throughout history and continue to make today.”
Service members need not be present for qualifying guests to receive free Honoring Service to America tickets, which are provided to dependent family members of currently deployed troops with appropriate identification. Veterans who separated before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge paperwork, form DD 214, as identification of service. These weekend-long admission tickets are available at all onsite ticketing locations.
A Memorial Day commemorative service will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on May 28 to honor fallen service members. A procession with the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums and Military Programs staff will begin at the Governor’s Palace and proceed to Bruton Parish Church, ending at the Capitol. Remarks, placement of wreaths and ceremonial musket volleys honor soldiers of the American Revolution, the Civil War and other conflicts. This service is free and open to the public.
Military guests and their families are encouraged to stop by Colonial Williamsburg’s new military information desk at the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center and the Liberty Lounge, a complimentary space for ticketed military guests to relax and recharge in the Historic Area. In addition to complimentary and discount admission for military families year-round Colonial Williamsburg is proud to offer military discounts on all Colonial Williamsburg hotels, dining, retail, golf and spa.
For more information about “Honoring Service to America” tickets and program, telephone 855-296-6627 or visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/military. More information is also available by following Colonial Williamsburg on Facebook and @colonialwmsburg on Twitter and Instagram.