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NEWS | Feb. 9, 2007

Servicemembers able to receive free admission to theme parks

By Staff Sgt. April Lapetoda 316th Wing Public Affairs

Active Duty, active Reserve, ready Reserve and National Guard servicemembers, and up to three of their dependents have the opportunity to visit any of Anheuser-Busch's nine theme parks with free admission through the end of 2007, as part of the company's "Here's to the Heroes" tribute. 

"Here's to the Heroes" provides a single day's free admission to servicemembers and to members of foreign military forces serving in the armed forces coalition or attached to American units in the United States for training. These servicemembers are entitled to one day admission to any SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA theme parks, according to a recent press release sent out by Anheuser-Busch. Inactive, standby and retired reserve members, military retirees, U.S. Merchant Marine and civilian Department of Defense workers are ineligible for the program. 

"This is one small way we can acknowledge and thank the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen whose service helps to preserve the freedom and safety of every American," said Keith M. Kasen, Busch Entertainment Corporation chairman and president, the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch, in the press release. "It's important to all of us at Anheuser-Busch that we show our gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces and their families for the sacrifices they make on our behalf." 

The two closest Anheuser-Busch theme parks to Andrews are Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Va., and Water Country USA, Williamsburg, Va., which are approximately 175 miles away. They are scheduled to open March 24, according to the Busch Gardens' Web site, www.buschgardens.com. 

Servicemembers traveling on leave may visit any of Anheuser-Busch's seven other theme parks, which include: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island in Tampa, Fla.; SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove in Orlando, Fla.; SeaWorld San Diego; SeaWorld San Antonio; and Sesame Place near Philadelphia. Each theme park's operating schedule is available on Anheuser-Busch's Web site. 

Servicemembers can register, either online at www.herosalute.com or in the entrance plaza of a participating park by showing a DoD photo identification. 

"Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their servicemember, though an adult must accompany minor dependents," according to the Web site. 

Anheuser-Busch launched "Here's to the Heroes," in February 2005, to acknowledge the service of military men and women and the sacrifices made by their families, according to the press release. "Here's to the Heroes" is the fourth tribute to military personnel offered by Anheuser-Busch since 1991. More than 1.7 million people have visited Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks free under these programs. 

"It is gratifying to all of us at Anheuser-Busch that so many members of our armed forces took advantage of this program and honored us with a visit," said Mr. Kasen. "This is a difficult time for our men and women in uniform, and we are honored to give them something back."