600 museums offer free admission to m...

Author Message   Marea B Senior Member Username: Navywife Post Number: 2244 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 98.82.153.143 Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 01:56 am:    It is also open to Reservists which is good. This is a trial if it is a success hopefully next summer they will also offer it to Retirees and their families. Or some museums could extend it to include them. Considering many of these museums are hurting for benefactors and money right now it is still great that they are doing it.   Anthony W Wojcik Member Username: Wojo Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2010 Posted From: 209.103.248.122 Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 02:15 pm:    Most Active duty are desendents of Retired Military. Who takes the grandchildren especially in times like this? Feel they should open this up to us retires.   Carole G Advanced Member Username: Greengal Post Number: 172 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181 Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 01:55 pm:    Being AD has it's perks.   Phil Doubleman Senior Member Username: Phil Post Number: 1606 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.35.26.65 Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 01:40 pm:    "The offer for active duty military personnel and their families runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day." Did we quit serving and therefore no longer deserve consideration with active duty folks once we retired?   Dakota Ray Senior Member Username: Rhammer Post Number: 448 Registered: 05-2007 Posted From: 69.62.147.217 Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 01:07 pm:    John, Thanks for the info. It sounds like a great program. What better way to get kids involved in military history. Be aware that both Links indicate active duty and families.   Melinda Cardarelli Senior Member Username: Jmcard Post Number: 437 Registered: 06-2007 Posted From: 72.49.218.166 Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 12:23 pm:    Here is a link with a map that shows participating museums in each state: http://www.bluestarfam.org/drupal/?q=BlueStarMuseums   John McClellan Advanced Member Username: Mccljp Post Number: 250 Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 157.127.124.15 Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010 - 12:13 pm:    600 museums offer free admission to military BY: BRETT ZONGKER , ASSOCIATED PRESS 05/23/2010 http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/05/ap_museum_052310/ WASHINGTON — More than 600 museums nationwide are offering free admission to military families all summer in a new partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The list includes some of the nation’s premier art museums, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as science centers, children’s museums and other sites in all 50 states. The program, called Blue Star Museums, is being announced Monday in San Diego, where 14 museums will participate. The offer for active duty military personnel and their families runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It was the brainchild of Kathy Roth-Douquet, chairwoman of the group Blue Star Families. Her husband, Marine Corps Col. Greg Douquet, is on his third deployment to Afghanistan. “You can feel a little alone in America right now, being part of the 1 percent that’s involved in fighting these wars,” she said, adding that the recession has changed priorities for many people. “When the kids and I go to museums this summer, we know we’re being welcomed. It will make us feel less alone.” Roth-Douquet, who lives in Parris Island, S.C., said military bases are sometimes far from cultural centers, though museums can be a good escape. The Defense Department is helping to promote the offer, and Roth-Douquet said some military bases may coordinate bus trips. When her family was based in London for a time, she and her son and daughter spent an entire summer visiting museums because many were free. As a result, she said, her 8-year-old son Charlie now draws for hours each day. This summer, they’re planning a road trip along the East Coast to visit museums. Normally, a $20 ticket to MoMA in New York might rule it out, she said. Now they could also stop for free at Washington’s Corcoran Gallery of Art or New York’s Jewish Museum. NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said he was surprised by how many museums joined the effort, despite the poor economy, from the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum to the International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Nebraska. “I think it is good karma for the museums,” he said. “Long-term, it promotes museum-going and engagement with the arts.” Also, over Memorial Day weekend in New York City, Sen. Kristen Gillibrand has announced more than 50 museums and historic sites will offer free admission to military personnel and veterans.