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Air Force Lt. Stephen Braddy, with his son Timothy, receives a one-flipper salute from Shamu the killer whale for being the 100,000th military guest at SeaWorld Orlando through Operation Salute, Sept. 5. The program provides free park admission to military members and their families. Photo by Chris Gotshall, courtesy of SeaWorld Orlando

'Operation Salute' Offers Free Park Admissions

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2003 - Service members and their families have until Nov. 11 to take advantage of a highly popular program that offers free admission to Anheuser- Busch theme parks.

Thousands of service members and their families have already taken advantage of "Operation Salute," which offers free tickets to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla., and Williamsburg, Va.; SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla., San Antonio and San Diego; and Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa., according to Anheuser-Busch officials.

On Sept. 5, Air Force Lt. Stephen Braddy became the 100,000th military guest to visit SeaWorld Orlando through the program. And although unable to give updated numbers about just how many additional service members have visited the parks, an Anheuser-Busch official said it has been "a lot."

Anheuser-Busch launched Operation Salute in May to honor military members for their role in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"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 of Anheuser- Busch. "It is a small gesture of thanks for the hardships endured every day by our soldiers and those closest to them," he added.

"The men and women in our armed forces have made tremendous sacrifices, risking their lives and being separated from their families during the war," agreed August A. Busch III, chairman of Anheuser-Busch. "We wanted to express our deep gratitude for their service, and this gives those who serve and their families some needed relaxation and enjoyment."

The free admission is offered to all active duty military, ready and standby reservists, U.S. Coast Guardsmen, National Guardsmen, coalition forces serving with U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom and foreign military personnel servicing with U.S. units.

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2003 U.S. MILITARY PROMOTIONS

THEME PARKS:

COMPANY: ANHEUSER BUSCH - Seaworld/Busch Garden Theme Parks
PROMOTION: “Heroes Salute”
OFFER TIME: May 23-November 11, 2003
DETAILS: FREE 1 day Admission to all Anheuser-Busch theme parks including 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. Must obtain form from ITT. For details, go to www.seaworld.com

COMPANY: UNIVERSAL - Orlando
PROMOTION: “Military Appreciation Program - Bonus Pass”
OFFER TIME: May 13-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: Free 5-Day Bonus Pass for active duty military, Reservists, and National Guard. The Bonus Pass is valid for Universal Studios® and Islands of Adventure® for a 5-day period from the first day of visit. This pass also includes the CityWalk Party Pass. Military ID must be presented to the front gate admissions to obtain this special pass. Additional Family and Friends: Up to 5 people can purchase the Bonus Pass at a 50% discount of $49.95 plus tax. Dependent spouses with a military ID may purchase this pass if the active member is still overseas. For more information, call 407-363-800 or visit www.universalorlando.com

COMPANY: DISNEY - Disneyland/California Adventure
PROMOTION: “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute”
OFFER TIME: May 12-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: FREE 3-Day Ticket good for admission to both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure™ parks. active U.S. military personnel may make a one-time purchase of 3-day Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion Tickets during the offer period for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends for $39 each. For complete details, go to www.disneyland.com/military.

COMPANY: DISNEY - Disney World, Florida
PROMOTION: “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute”
OFFER TIME: May 12-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: FREE 5-Day Ticket good for admission into the Walt Disney World theme parks, two Disney water parks, Pleasure Island and more. Each active member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket during the offer period. During the offer period, active military personnel may also make a one-time purchase of this same ticket for $49.95, plus tax, for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends. For complete details, go to www.disneyland.com/military.

DISNEY ARMED FORCES SALUTE DETAILS:
· "Disney’s Armed Forces Salute" theme park tickets can be obtained only at Main Entrance ticket windows.
· Active military personnel (or, if they are not present, their spouses) must present proper military identification.
· To purchase the tickets for family members or friends, the service member must show the complimentary ticket issued to them.
· Activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (or, if they are not present, their spouses) must also show active duty orders.
· Tickets for family members or friends may be purchased only by the active service member or spouse, not both.
· Last day of use on “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” theme park tickets is no later than December 19, 2003.
· A valid ID may be required for admission.
· This offer may not be combined with any other offer.
· Walt Disney Parks and Resorts ticket information is available at military base ticket offices.

HOTELS:

COMPANY: DISNEY - Disneyland Resort Hotels, California
PROMOTION: “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute”
OFFER TIME: May 12-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: Disneyland Resort Hotels are offering room rates for active military personnel at a 40 percent savings per night, based on the non-discounted price of the same room. This offer is available most nights during the offer period, and the number of rooms available at this savings is limited. For complete details, go to www.disneyland.com/military. For reservations call 714- 956-6424

COMPANY: DISNEY - Disneyland Resort Hotels, Florida
PROMOTION: “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute”
OFFER TIME: May 12-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: Disneyland Resort Hotels are offering room rates for active military personnel at a 40 percent savings per night, based on the non-discounted price of the same room. This offer is available most nights during the offer period, and the number of rooms available at this savings is limited. For complete details, go to www.disneyland.com/military. For reservations call 714-956-6424

COMPANY: UNIVERSAL - Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando, Florida
PROMOTION: “Military Appreciation Program”
OFFER TIME: May 13-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: Universal On-Site Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel offers a 40% discount with military ID from 5/13/03 - 12/19/03.
For reservations call 800-292-7827.

COMPANY: UNIVERSAL - Hard Rock Hotel, Orlando, Florida
PROMOTION: “Military Appreciation Program”
OFFER TIME: August 17-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: Universal On-Site Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort offer a 40% discount. For reservations call 800-292-7827.

COMPANY: UNIVERSAL - Royal Pacific Resort, Orlando, Florida
PROMOTION: “Military Appreciation Program”
OFFER TIME: August 17-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: Universal On-Site Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort offer a 40% discount from 8/17/03 - 12/19/03.
For reservations call 800-292-7827.

COMPANY: DAYS INN/TAMPA NORTH - Busch Gardens/Adventure Island
PROMOTION: “Military Appreciation Package”
OFFER TIME: August 17-December 19, 2003
DETAILS: 40% Off Regular Prices At Our Newly Renovated Hotel. Ask For SRP Code LPMA - $29.95 (1-2 Adults/rm.)+tax. Includes free, hot breakfast, Free Busch Gardens Tickets. Under 12 stay free
Call Toll Free 866-895-6584 or www.the.daysinn.com\tampa05280

COMPANY: RAMADA - Orlando
PROMOTION: “Military Rate”
DETAILS: military rate of $45 (+ tax and based on availability). Visit www.ramadaorlando.com or call 800-327-1363.

COMPANY: HOLIDAY INN - Orlando
PROMOTION: “Military Summer Getaway Special”
OFFER TIME: April 28-August 30, 2003
DETAILS: $55 plus 12% tax per night for 2 Adults. Ask for the MIL 55 rate. To make reservations call 1-800-366-5437.

OTHER TRAVEL:

COMPANY: DISNEY - Disney Cruises
PROMOTION: “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute”
OFFER TIME: June 19-December 18, 2003
DETAILS: Disney Cruise Line is extending special rates to active military personnel. Disney Cruise Line offers 7-night cruise vacations to the eastern and western Caribbean, and 3- and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas. On select sailings from June 19-Aug. 24, rates start at $379 for a three-night cruise, $429 for a four-night cruise and $799 for a seven-night cruise. On select sailings from Aug. 28-Dec. 18, rates start at $349 for a three-night cruise, $399 for a four-night cruise and $599 for a seven-night cruise. All rates are valid for standard inside staterooms. The number of staterooms available at these special rates is limited. For more information or to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, military personnel can call Disney Cruise Line at (888) 325-2500.

COMPANY: US AIRWAYS
PROMOTION: “Salute Savings”
OFFER TIME: April 21-December 31, 2003 (travel completed by Feb. 12, 2004)
DETAILS: Special fares for U.S. military personnel as low as $79 each way, based on roundtrip purchase. Under the "Salute Savings" program, fares must be purchased roundtrip and are available for travel originating in the U.S. to destinations across the US Airways system, including Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For information on these fares, military personnel or their military I.D.-carrying family members should contact their commercial travel office. Tickets are nonrefundable and must be purchased at least three days in advance of departure. One Saturday night stay is required, and a maximum 30-day stay is allowed. Seats are limited, and other restrictions apply. Fares are available to the immediate families of members of the Armed Forces when the member is part of the traveling party. An immediate family member is defined as a parent/guardian, spouse/partner, or child.