Military & Veterans Day at the State Fair Set for September 10

By DVS

Military veterans and National Guard/Reserve/active-service personnel will be admitted free to the New Mexico State Fair for Military and Veterans Day at the State Fair on Tuesday, September 10.

 

This annual day at the state fair in Albuquerque is presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, the New Mexico National Guard, and the New Mexico State Fair to honor and thank the men and women who have served our country as members of the United States Armed Forces.

 

Veterans, National Guard/Reserve personnel, and retirees must present either a valid Uniformed Services Retiree Identification Card, a veterans-designation driver’s license, VA Veterans Health ID Card, or a copy of their DD-214 Separation Papers at the gate in order to obtain the free admission. Active-duty personnel must show a valid Uniformed Services ID card.

 

Non-veteran/non-military spouses or family members are not eligible for the free admission.

 

In addition to the numerous rides and attractions at the state fair, there will be dozens of booths, exhibits and information tables along “Main Street” staffed by the New Mexico National Guard, veterans’ organizations, and other community service groups.

Highlighting a brief 11am ceremony will be a presentation by New Mexico VA Health Care System Director Andrew Welch about the VA Mission Act—the new and improved veterans’ Health & Community Care Program which has replaced the Choice Program for providing out-of-network VA health care choices for veterans.

The ceremony will end with members from the American Gold Star Mothers/New Mexico Chapter reading the names of the 87 New Mexicans killed in action since the Global War on Terror commenced shortly after the 9/11 Terror Attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

Fairground gates open at 10am.  Parking is available at Gates 1 and 8. Parking fees start at $5.00, with preferred parking available as well. General parking is also available in parking lots off Louisiana Blvd. and Central Avenue.

For more information about Military & Veterans Day at the New Mexico State Fair, contact DVS Public Information Officer Ray Seva at ray.seva@state.nm.us or (505) 827-6352.