AUGUSTA — Gov. John Baldacci ceremonially signed legislation on June 30 sponsored by Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx, D-Brunswick, allowing for free access passes to state parks for all veterans. Veterans must be residents of Maine, have been honorably discharged and be able to make a good faith effort to provide appropriate documentation as to their status.
“Even though Maine is, or has been, home to many veterans who have served with honor and distinction from the Revolutionary War to our current conflicts this is the first state law to include all Maine veterans,” said Cornell du Houx. “I think free admittance to our state parks, beaches and historic sites is just one of many meaningful ways we can recognize their service.”
Veterans may obtain free day access at the sites by producing a proof of Maine residency and an easily recognizable veteran identification, including veteran discharge papers such as a DD214 showing an honorable character of service; identification cards such as a military ID or Veterans Affairs ID; or veteran’s license plates.
The legislation, LD 1488, was submitted and enacted during the final week of the legislative session after some confusion involving a similar bill that was signed into law earlier in the spring. Earlier legislation, LD 456, sponsored by Sen. Larry Bliss, D-Cumberland, of South Portland, had sought to accomplish the same thing, but LD 456 was ultimately amended and changed, limiting access to only veterans and active duty personnel living in Maine who have served after September 11, 2001. Cornell du Houx, who is a Marine and an Iraq War veteran, was also a co-sponsor of Bliss’ original legislation.
“We all enjoy this state because of the safety that we have as a result of the work that our military does day in and day out,” said Bliss. “Thanking them for their service by allowing them to enjoy our state parks and beaches seems like a natural thing to do. This bill is a way to say ‘thanks for a job well done,’ by allowing our service people to enjoy the beauty of our state without having to pay an entrance fee. They have already paid a price.”
The original idea for the bill came from Cpl. Marshall Archer (USMC), a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a constituent of Bliss. Archer, now a student at the University of Southern Maine, was able to attend the Governor’s signing of the legislation.
Veterans and active duty personnel can contact the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management and ask how they can obtain a state park pass. The number is 626-4464.
Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx (center right) speaks to the importance of honoring Maine veterans at the ceremonial signing of the bill sponsored by him and Sen. Larry Bliss (right) to allow veterans and active duty military personnel residing in Maine free access to Maine state parks and historic sites. Cpl. Marshall Archer (left) joined other veterans in watching Gov. Baldacci (center left) sign the bill on June 30.
