May 22, 2013

Manchin Encourages Military Families to Participate in Free Museums Program

Military families offered free access to museums nationwide

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today urged West Virginia’s active military personnel and their families to participate in the fourth Blue Star Museums Initiative, a summer program offered by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and a record-breaking 2,000 museums across America. The program will begin on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, and extend through Labor Day, September 2, 2013.

“One of the most important things we can do to support our service members is to make sure their families have access to the best educational resources,” Senator Manchin said. “I am glad to hear that this very unique program, focused on the well-being of military families, is returning to West Virginia this summer. I strongly encourage all eligible West Virginians to take advantage of this great opportunity to tour some of West Virginia’s most historical museums and connect with other military families in our state.”

This free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173?1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve, as well as members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps.  In addition, up to five family members may join each service member.

Participating museums in West Virginia include: Arthurdale Heritage Inc. in Arthurdale, Campbell Mansion in Bethany, Beverly Heritage Center in Beverly, Clay Center in Charleston, Huntington Museum of Art in Huntington, Children’s Discovery Museum of Art in Morgantown and Mansion and Glass Museums of Ogelbay Institute in Wheeling. The complete list of participating museums is available at http://www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

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