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November 13, 2023
In a proposal championed by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), the Whitmer administration plans to give all Michigan veterans, active-duty service members and Michigan National Guard members free lifetime access to any state park.
The proposal will be included in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s state budget proposal for next fiscal year (FY25). The current fiscal year ends Sept. 30, 2024.
“Michigan’s veterans are the best of us, and we can never do enough to live up to the sacrifices they have made,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who made the announcement on Veterans Day. “In next year’s budget proposal, we plan to give every one of Michigan’s 530,000 veterans free lifetime access to a state park. We are proud of this step forward to better serve veterans and we will continue making Michigan the best place to be a veteran.”
Michigan will become the third state in the country to offer this benefit, after Oklahoma and Maine.
With more than 100 state parks in Michigan, veterans have plenty of choices where they can get out and enjoy the state’s lakes, forests, trails and outdoor beauty.
“Reconnecting with nature and enjoying the outdoors can be a great form of therapy for veterans, particularly those with PTSD, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues,” said MVAA Director Brian L. Love. “Giving our veterans free access to Michigan’s beautiful state parks reflects our ongoing commitment to support their wellbeing and improve their quality of life.”
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) is hosting the Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 9:30-11 a.m., at Heritage Hall in downtown Lansing.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Less than 100 tickets remain available for the 2024 Michigan Military & Veterans Gala, Saturday, Nov. 2, at the L.V. Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids. The Gala is the state's premier event that honors both those who have served our state and nation in uniform and those who advocate on their behalf.
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) has received a letter and Certificate of Appreciation from the Director the United States Army, Major General Edward J. Chrystal Jr., recognizing the agency for faithfully representing our Nation by selflessly hosting events to thank and honor Vietnam-era veterans and their families.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) hosted their fourth annual Veteran-Friendly Employers Innovation Conference for Michigan employers committed to the recruitment, training and retention of military veterans. More than 75 attendees from nearly 70 businesses from across Michigan joined fellow employers to learn how they can better serve their veteran employees and how to best recruit veterans to join their organizations.