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National Park offers free admission, fly fishing tips on Veterans Day

Crystal Graham

Shenandoah National ParkShenandoah National Park has announced plans for their 2022 Veterans Day observance.

Friday, Nov. 11, is a fee-free day in observance of Veterans Day.

In observance of Veterans Day, NPS staff will be present at both sites from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to distribute free National Park passes to U.S. active-duty military and veterans.

There are two types of military passes, a one-year pass for active-duty military and their dependents, and a lifetime pass for veterans and Gold Star Families.

The park will also continue its partnership with Project Healing Waters, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to our veterans’ physical and emotional healing through fly fishing. In addition to educating participants about fly fishing techniques, the group, along with philanthropic partners, sponsors fly fishing trips.

Virginia Regional Coordinator Bill Campbell has brought several groups of veterans to Shenandoah National Park to experience the “healing power” of the program.

“We build relationships. It makes your heart much bigger; it makes your heart bigger than you ever thought it could be,” said Campbell of his work with Project Healing Waters.

Volunteers with the organization will return to the park on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Project Healing Waters volunteers will lead programs simultaneously at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6) and Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51) from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Visitors can pick up tips and practice fly-casting. Volunteers will also demonstrate fly-tying.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.