Published: May 29, 2021
Active-duty military members and their families will get free admission to The Haggin Museum this summer and fall as part of the Blue Star Museums initiative, aimed at expressing an appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
The program began on Armed Forces Day (May 15) and runs through Labor Day, which falls this year on Sept. 6.
Blue Star Museums began as an effort to improve the quality of life for active-duty military families, with a special focus on the approximately two million children who have had at least one parent deployed since 2001. The program offers families a chance to visit museums this summer when many will have limited resources and time together, The Haggin said in a news release.
“We are grateful for the many organizations that have signed up for the Blue Star Museums program this summer, demonstrating strength and resiliency on the heels of a very challenging period for the arts sector,” said Ann Eilers, acting chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, which has teamed up with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and participating museums across America to offer the free entry.
Although the pandemic made deep dents in nonprofit budgets, participation in Blue Star Museums gives museums an opportunity to express their appreciation for the nation’s military and their families, while acknowledging the hardships that come with that service, The Haggin said.
Blue Star Museums include children’s museums, art, science, and history museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses, and more. There is no limit to how many museums those on active duty can visit during the summer.
“After a year filled with uncertainties, we are thrilled to launch the 2021 Blue Star Museums program! The impact that this program has on our members is tremendous and something they look forward to each year,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, the largest grassroots military family support organization in the U.S. “It is wonderful to offer military families the opportunity to explore the arts with their loved ones and create lasting memories.”
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as active duty and reservists, National Guardsman (regardless of status), U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance. Visit https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums for a complete list of participating organizations. For more information about the initiative, visit https://bluestarfam.org/.
The Haggin, which has named Susan Obert as its first female CEO after saying farewell to longtime leader Tod Ruhstaller last week, has reopened to the public at 25% of capacity in compliance with state
COVID-19 guidelines; for now, face coverings are required for all guests over the age of 2.
Recordnet
Haggin helping military families save a little green with Blue Star free entry initiative
May 29, 2021
Posted In: Blue Star Museums, Blue Star Summer