“Sweet Land of Liberty: Guide to Military Travel”
BY: Erica I. Peña-Vest and Ryan Vest
In Febuary of 2005, Anheuser-Busch, owners of SeaWorld Parks, announced that they would be offering free admission to all active duty military, ready reserve members, Coast Guardsman or national Guardsmen who wish to visit any SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA park nationwide. “Here’s to the Heroes” program offers free admission for the service member and as many of three of his or her dependants with dependant ID. Since then, the tribute program had provided free admission to more than 4 million members of the U.S. and coalition armed forces and their families. “We take great pride in saluting our men and women in uniform,” said SeaWorld San Diego Manager Andy Fichthorn. “For all of us at SeaWorld and Anheuser-Busch, it’s an honor to show our appreciation for the sacrifices they and their families make every day for our freedom.”
Anheuser-Busch has recently announced that it will extend its program through 2009.
Erica I. Peña-Vest is a travel industry veteran with over 13 years of experience in public and media relations. As a Navy wife, Erica understands the needs of military families and focuses her research and articles to travel deals for those in the armed services. Her travel column “Sweet Land of Liberty: A Guide to Military Travel” has a circulation of over 200,000 and reaches over half a million readers nationwide. It is published in various Navy newspapers throughout the United States, as well as various military websites. She is also editor of her own website devoted to travel deals for military families - www.guidetomilitarytravel.com.