Nationwide is sponsoring veterans, active-duty military and Gold Star families with free admission to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM).
In an effort to support service members, Nationwide partnered with NVMM during the year to cover the costs of veterans and families of service members who may want to visit the museum.
Free admission is available to any former or current service member and Gold Star family — those who lost loved ones in military service — from across the country and aligns with the museum’s long-standing effort to maintain free admission for veterans, active-duty members and impacted families.
NVMM has always offered free admission for veterans, service members and Gold Star families, but now, with the sponsorship, the museum can put more funding into other community programming, said Bill Butler, president of the museum.
NVMM also partners with National Public Radio and schools across the country to offer youths the chance to interview veterans and continue awareness on how to honor those who have served the country.
“We’re just tremendously grateful for Nationwide. They’ve been tremendous supporters,” Butler said. “It’s wonderful they’ve decided to sponsor all those men and women who are veterans, active duty or Gold Star families.”
Butler, who also served in the army for 27 years, said the museum has always believed veterans shouldn’t have to pay to see their stories told.
“Most veterans are able to see themselves in the stories we highlight,” he said “It’s really the personal side of the service experience.”
Ohio has the sixth-largest veteran population in the U.S. with more than 830,000 veterans, more than 11,000 active-duty service members and over 35,000 National Guard and reserve members.
Tickets to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum are $18 for regular guests.
Trending features reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Service members receive free admission to National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Reporting by Amani Bayo, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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