By Christie Bender
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced that this summer it will be participating in Blue Star Museums, a program which provides free admission to our nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families. The 2019 program will begin on Saturday, May 25, 2019, Memorial weekend, and end on Sunday, September 1, 2019, Labor Day weekend.
Blue Star Museums is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums nationwide. First Lady of the United States Melania Trump and Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence are honorary co-chairs of Blue Star Museums 2019.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is one of four museums in Grand Rapids participating in 2019. Other participants include the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts. Military can find the full list of participating museums nationwide at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
“The Grand Rapids Public Museum is thrilled to take part in Blue Star Museums for the fourth year in a row,” said Kate Kocienski, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at the GRPM. “The Museum is looking forward to giving back to those in active-duty and their families who give so much for our country.”
“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to celebrate the tenth summer of collaborating with Blue Star Families, Department of Defense, and especially the more than 2,000 museums across our nation that make this program possible,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Organizations such as the Grand Rapids Public Museum are providing wonderful opportunities for military families to share a memorable experience together this summer.”
This year’s participating organizations include fine art, science, history and children’s museums, as well as zoos, aquariums, gardens and more.
“We’ve seen the tremendous impact the Blue Star Museums program brings to our military families, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating a decade of support,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, chief executive officer of Blue Star Families. “Not only are museums fun to explore but are also great for making memories and strengthening military families as a whole.”
“The Defense Department congratulates Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts on reaching an incredible milestone: ten years of service to the military community though Blue Star Museums,” said A.T. Johnston, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy. “We offer our sincere gratitude to the more than 2,000 museums across the country who open their doors through this wonderful program. Your patriotism and generosity have enriched the lives and experiences of our military families.”
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, 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 into a participating Blue Star Museum.
