Division Releases

Ohio Events, Attractions Honor Veterans
Ohio tourism industry provides discounts for veterans, active military and their families
10/30/2009

CONTACTS:
Tamara Brown at (614) 466-8591
Leslie Holbrook at (614) 383-1635

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Oct. 30, 2009) - From the days of the Ohio Territory and Ohio statehood in 1803 to present day, Ohioans and Ohio families have dutifully answered when our country has called upon them to serve during times of peace and in times of war. With Veterans Day fast approaching on Nov. 11, it is an ideal time to honor our military friends, family members, neighbors and acquaintances who have ensured our liberty and continued freedom.

"While a travel discount can't fill in lost time for soldiers who spend months away from their families, we hope a discounted stay in Ohio will help our military families reconnect or spend some quality time prior to deployment," State Tourism Director Amir Eylon said. "We can never thank our service men and women enough for what they do for all of us on a daily basis."

For those seeking an opportunity to honor military heroes, Ohio offers a variety of events and attractions that provide perspective and perhaps a deeper understanding of military life and objectives throughout history.

Events
Ohio Valley Military Society, Roberts Center, Wilmington, Nov. 6 - 7 (SW)
The Ohio Valley Military Society (OVMS) is one of the oldest and largest military collector's clubs in the world and promotes the study and collecting of historic military artifacts. This year, the organization celebrates Veterans Day with the OVMS Show that features a display of more than 400 tables containing military artifacts for sale from dealers and collectors throughout the Midwest and beyond. Visitors to the show may bring military relics to sell or to have them identified and appraised by an expert.

Annual Veterans Day Show, Murphy Theatre, Wilmington, Nov. 8 (SW)
Known for their Big-Band sounds and Vegas-style shows, the Tom Daugherty Orchestra will entertain visitors at this year's show with classic hits from the 1940s through the 1960s. Be sure to stay through the entire performance, which promises a patriotic grand finale.

National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Nov. 6 & 7 (SW)
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum. The museum's galleries present military aviation history and boast more than 300 aircraft and aerospace vehicles on display. An especially popular museum attraction is the storied collection of nine presidential aircraft. On Nov. 6 and 7, the museum hosts the free Band of Flight Veterans Day concerts that commemorate the lives of American soldiers who have served to protect the freedom of people all over the world through patriotic, live music.

Attractions
Motts Military Museum, Groveport (C)
The Motts Military Museum utilizes donated uniforms, weapons, vehicles and personal effects to chronicle the personal stories of those who served in the American Revolution, Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. An exhibit on NASA includes artifacts from the Apollo 13 mission and astronauts' personal items from the space program. The exhibit Medals showcases a medal given for the liberation of Kuwait and is the only Foreign Service award for the Gulf War authorized by the U.S. government to be worn by U.S. military personnel. The POW Exhibit showcases a gas mask used by Capt. Sallie Durrett of the Army Nurse Corp while she was held captive from 1942 - 1945 in World War II. Personal tours are available with prior arrangement; military members receive free admission with their military I.D.

Ohio Veterans Home Museum, Sandusky (NW)
This military history museum features memorabilia from the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Korean, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. The museum also features an exhibit on Johnson's Island in Sandusky Bay. The island is the site of a prisoner-of-war camp for Confederate officers captured during the Civil War and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The exhibit showcases Civil War uniforms, medals and features a tank and cannon on display outdoors.

Monument Park and Trumbull County Veterans' Memorial, Warren (NE)
Monument Park, located on the east bank of the Mahoning River, features a reconstructed log cabin built on the site of Warren's first schoolhouse, circa 1804, and commemorates the lives and sacrifices of the area's local citizens in military service. In 2008, the Trumbull County Veterans' Memorial was added to the site. Built entirely by volunteers, the memorial includes a World War II statue and a Wall of Honor. The Wall, which is comprised of bricks inscribed with individual names of veteran service men and women, is the site for local residents to forever memorialize friends and relatives who lost their lives serving their country and honors those who served during times of peace.

Veterans Memorial Park, Marion (C)
Open year-round, the Veterans Memorial Park is an emotional reminder that freedom isn't free. The park commemorates the service of men and women in the United States military and features individual monuments dedicated to each war the United States has fought. Established in 1985 and one of the first of its kind in the United States, the park also features a special memorial to honor the women who served in the military or played an important role in assisting the United States military before women were allowed to fight in combat.

Military Discounts
In salute to our veterans, the Ohio tourism industry is offering veterans and active military personnel and their families nearly 200 discounts at lodging facilities, state park lodges, attractions and more across the state at www.DiscoverOhio.com. The following discounts are a sampling of those available to military families.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton (NE)
With more than 83,000 square feet of exhibits, the Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates the sport's history, legends and record-breaking moments. The newly opened Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery features interactive video kiosks highlighting every Super Bowl, replicas of each Super Bowl ring and a Super Bowl Theater. Members of the military receive free admission with a military I.D. Military discounts are also offered at the Hampton Inn & Suites Canton.

Kalahari Resort, Sandusky (NW)
At America's largest indoor waterpark, families can have a blast on the Master Blaster uphill water rollercoaster, play mini golf and enjoy the petting/feeding zoo all under one roof. Military discounts vary by date.

Mohican State Park Resort & Conference Center, Perrysville (NE)
This resort, surrounded by 6,000 acres of Mohican State Park and forestland, features 96 recently renovated guestrooms. In addition to offering Ohio military personnel a discounted rate with a valid military I.D., families can also enjoy additional military discounts by booking online at www.atapark.com.

For additional ways to celebrate Veterans Day in Ohio, visit www.DiscoverOhio.com, follow us on Twitter @DiscoverOhio or become a fan of the Ohio Tourism Division on Facebook at www.facebook.com/discoverohio.

About the Ohio Tourism Division
The Ohio Tourism Division is the premier source of information for travelers and media about Ohio's vibrant tourism experiences, attractions, and economy. Division marketing programs contributed to an estimated $39 billion in total sales in 2008 and 452,000 jobs sustained by visitors to the state. A part of the Ohio Department of Development, the Division's mission is to promote and celebrate Ohio's unique travel opportunities and market the state's outstanding quality of life.

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