Operation: Salute

Dznefreek

It's Epic, well kind of . . . . . .
Joined
Nov 13, 2000
Messages
6,409
Sea World of Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa have announced free entry for active military and up to 3 other family members (4 tix total ) from 5/23/03 - Veterans Day 2003. Coast Guard, and others included.

On a related note Florida Splendid China will honor Cypress Gardens AP's and prepaid tickets through June 30, 2003.

Here is their<a href="http://www.seaworld.com/buschgardens/fla/ftp_press_releases_details.aspx?pr_num=84"> site.</a>
04/17/2003
Anheuser-Busch Gives Troops, Their Families Free Admission to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place

‘Operation Salute’ Expresses Appreciation For Their Service, Sacrifices

ST. LOUIS (April 17, 2003) – Anheuser-Busch today announced it will give free single day admission to its SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place parks to active duty military, active reservists, U.S. Coast Guard, National Guardsmen and as many as four of their direct dependents, beginning the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and concluding Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The offer also has been extended to all coalition forces serving with U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The men and women in our armed forces have made tremendous sacrifices, risking their lives and being separated from their families during the war,” said August A. Busch III, chairman of Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc., which operates nine U.S. theme parks. “We wanted to express our deep gratitude for their service, and this gives those who serve and their families some needed relaxation and enjoyment.”

“It is our privilege to offer our parks to the men and women of our armed forces and their families,” said Patrick Stokes, president and chief executive officer, Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. “It is a small gesture of thanks for the hardships endured every day by our soldiers and those closest to them.”

“Operation Salute” will give free admission at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay; Busch Gardens Williamsburg; SeaWorld Orlando; SeaWorld San Diego; SeaWorld San Antonio; and Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa.

“Operation Salute is exactly what we mean at the USO when we talk about the incredible power of ‘Thank You,’” said Edward A. “Ned” Powell, president and chief executive officer of the United Service Organizations (USO). “It is an extraordinary example of a company’s recognition of the sacrifices our military makes on behalf of all Americans.” Anheuser-Busch has supported the U.S. armed services for nearly 150 years. In 1921, Adolphus Busch’s widow, Lilly, opened the Busch family garden to the public, donating admission fees to disabled veterans.

Anheuser-Busch has previously honored U.S. armed forces with free admission to its theme parks. Nearly 1 million service members and their families visited free during Yellow Ribbon Summer following the first Gulf War and during the Anheuser-Busch Salute to America’s Heroes, a post-9/11 tribute that included all branches of the U.S. military.
 
I know almost EVERY window you pass where we live in Florida has some compensation to military, but almost all include the word "ACTIVE" military.

Any clarification?
 
Hi there,

I am a British serviceman who has recently completed a tour at a American base in the Gulf and I am hoping they honor us as well as the American servicemen. Any info on the discounts please keep the info coming.

We hope to start our family vacation in the WLV for 2 weeks in late July.
 
Thank-you Dznefreek for this info. I wonder if Universal will offer something similiar?
 

It says "active reservists", not activated, so I think if you are drilling you can go. DH says it includes us.

The offer also has been extended to all coalition forces serving with U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
StephenKay-e-mail them, you may well qualify. Good luck, I hope you do:D !
 
Originally posted by strawberryblonde
Thank-you Dznefreek for this info. I wonder if Universal will offer something similiar?

According to an article in the Orlando Sun-Sentinel both Universal and Disney will be offering similar programs.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/lo...3apr18,0,6019089.story?coll=sfla-news-florida

SeaWorld offers military free day at park

By Robert Johnson
Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 18 2003

SeaWorld on Thursday began leading a charge by Orlando theme parks to honor the military victors in Iraq by offering them free admission.

Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando said they won't be far behind.
SeaWorld's "Operation Salute" will award free single-day tickets to active-duty military and up to four "direct dependents" beginning on Memorial Day and concluding on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The offer is also extended to all coalition forces serving with U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"We're excited about honoring those who have endured hardship," said Jim Atchison, SeaWorld's general manager.

The offer is similar to those extended by many tourist attractions to veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and to firefighters and police officers after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Universal Orlando will also "pay tribute to our troops," spokeswoman Susan Lomax said, but details aren't final yet.

At Disney World, spokeswoman Marilyn Waters said, "You can expect us to announce a special offer for returning U.S. military soon."


Robert Johnson can be reached at rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664.
 
Thank-you for the info ToriLammy :D Now I'm just hoping that the article was correct *crossing fingers*
 
Just hoping someone will find out what Universal and WDW offer...and that it runs at the same time.
 
Originally posted by travelitis
Just hoping someone will find out what Universal and WDW offer...and that it runs at the same time.

I've been doing daily searches for Disney and Universal offers and DH is watching at work (he actually received an official message on the Busch offer first). As soon as I hear something I'll make sure it's posted. Some speculation on my part: Armed Forces day is May 17th and Memorial Day is May 26 -- I expect we'll see some announcements around May 17th. Rumors have it that a lot of the folks deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom will be coming home in the Jun/July timeframe. The some Navy guys are heading home now (2 aircraft carriers), the AF guys at DH's base arrived home yesterday so....soon ;)
 
So are you thinking they'll match the dates of Busch's Operation Salute?

My husband got the message at work, too, before I read it on the boards. I made sure I got on and checked that it had been posted. I've been looking daily, too, but I'm getting antsy because of lack of time left. We'll pick up passes for our kids at SOG if there's no promo. We leave on a fri. night, stay on Clearwater Beach on Sat., go to Busch Gardens Sunday, then head to Orlando. It would be so great if we didn't need to go to SOG and could save that money.
 














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