National Volunteer Month in April celebrates the impact volunteers have on our lives and encourages active volunteerism in generations to come. Today, we would like to highlight one of our own here at Markesman Group, our Technical Account Manager - Corey Barnard.

​Corey Barnard volunteers at the American Legion Post #17 in Edgewood, Maryland, the same post his grandfather was a lifetime member of.  Corey is passionate about volunteering at the Legion, his dad is an Air Force Veteran, his uncle served in the Navy, and his grandfather served in the Army during Vietnam.  The American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization aimed at advocating patriotism across the U.S. through diver programs and membership benefits.   Corey helps organize and manage events such as car meets, trick or treating, shrimp nights and bingo. He also volunteers in the kitchen cooking food, as well as behind the bar serving drinks. 
 
"Being able to give back to a community that has always given so much to me is something I really enjoy!" 

National Volunteer Month in April celebrates the impact volunteers have on our lives and encourages active volunteerism in generations to come. Today, we would like to highlight one of our own here at Markesman Group, our HR Manager - Bobby Williams.

​With all that is currently going on in the world, a pandemic, war, political discord here at home, and all the other uncertainties, I find that the urge to volunteer more important now than ever before. I have been a part of the Boy Scouts of America family now for over 10 years. This organization is one that I fully support and have seen the benefits for the youth that have been in the program. I myself, am a proud parent of an Eagle Scout. This program instills in these impressionable young minds to accept their civic responsibility, to always look out for other people before themselves, to leave the world a better place than they inherited, and to honor the values taught at home, school, and in scouting. I have the privilege to witness a diverse group of young people from completely different race, social, economic, political, and religious backgrounds come together to achieve great things. Things that not only they will benefit from, but also fellow Scouts, families, and their communities. It is through these experiences that I truly find hope for the future. This program helps to shape the minds of our youth to become the leaders for tomorrow through the Scout Oath. 

On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. 

There have been a few occasions that I have seen some of these young men struggle with life after graduating school, moving out on their own, and after aging out of the program. They struggle to find their way in this world and to understand who they are as a person and the person that they want to be. We hope that they will remember the life skills and tools taught by their parents, teachers, and adult leaders from scouting. We patiently wait on the sideline to assist them when needed and to see them apply the skills and tools learned. As they begin to apply the life lesson taught from their parents, the knowledge poured into them from teachers, and the skill and tool provided by scouting, we have the honor of seeing these young men turn their life around and become responsible productive members of society. There is a lot to be said about the Scout Law, which has 12 points. It is the goal of all Scouts to live up to the Law every day. Each Scout will find that living by the Law everyday can be hard and challenging.

A Scout is;

TRUSTWORTHY. 
Tell the truth and keep promises

LOYAL. 
Show that you care about your family, friends, Scouts leaders, school, and country.

HELPFUL. 
Volunteer to help other without expecting a reward.
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FRIENDLY. 
Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.

COURTEOUS. 
Be polite to everyone an always use good manners.

KIND. 
Treat other as you want to be treated. 

OBEDIENT. 
Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.

CHEERFUL. 
Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do task that come your way. Try to help others be happy.

THRIFTY. 
Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies and natural resources wisely.

BRAVE. 
Face difficult situation even when you feel afraid, Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying. 

CLEAN. 
Keep your body and mind fit. Help keep your home and community clean. 

REVERENT. 
Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs if others. 

Volunteering for Boy Scouts of America is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. From weekly meetings, monthly weekend camping trips, summer camps, or the occasional overnight hiking trip in the mountains, I have the ability to spend time with these amazing young men. Young men that will one day be faced to solve the problems that were created by our generation. To see them mature from adolescence into men with the skills necessary to achieve great things. The ability to spend time and connect with them allows me to stay connected and to continue to learn and grow as a person. It affords me the opportunity to gain a little glimmer of what are future has in store from this generation of young people. 

Volunteering is something that is important to me and very close to my heart. It is a selfless act to give to worthwhile causes, organizations, or people in need and not expecting anything in return. Not only does it give you a sense of accomplishment, but also strengthens our local communities. If you have never volunteered or have not in a while, I strongly encourage you to find an organization or charity that you can share your talents. I can guarantee that you will leave the experience feeling a sense of fulfillment, purpose. In keeping with a time-honored tradition when closing a meeting or camping trip we recite the Scout Vesper.

May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us until we meet again. ​

​​The National Park Service in partnership with Operation Live Well would like to thank military personnel and their families for their service and invite them to enjoy their national parks.
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Gold Star Families and US military veterans are eligible to receive free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. The free Military Pass is a way to thank America’s veterans, Gold Star Families, and current military and their dependents for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.

​What is the Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Family Free Access Program?The Interagency Annual Military Pass provides free entrance to national parks and other federal recreation areas to current U.S. military members and their dependents, U.S. military veterans, and Gold Star Families.
The entrance fee waiver does not cover expanded amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, transportation, special recreation permits, reservation fees or special tours.

Who is eligible to gain free entrance as a veteran?
For purposes of this program, a veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the US Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and is able to present one of the following forms of identification or the Interagency Military Pass when entering a national park:

• Department of Defense Identification Card (non-expired CAC Card)
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
• Veteran ID Card
• Veterans designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or identification card

Who is eligible to gain free access as a member of a Gold Star Family?
Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the US Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the US Armed Forces. Eligibility requirements are in section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.

Is there a “Lifetime Pass” for Veterans and Gold Star Families?
Yes. Congress recently passed legislation authorizing a free lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreation areas for eligible U.S. military veterans and Gold Star families. In recent years, they were able to receive annual passes. The new lifetime passes will be available to distribute later in 2022. Until then, Gold Star families and veterans may continue to use The Interagency Annual Military Pass with proof of eligibility as described above.

Does the waiver include others traveling with the veteran or Gold Star Family member?
Free access is for the veteran or the holder of the Military Pass-Gold Star Family voucher as well as travelling companions who are occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR the veteran or voucher-holder and three persons (16 and older) where per person fees are charged. The voucher is non-transferrable and void if altered.

What agencies are participating in the free access program?
The program waives entrance or standard amenity fees for the following agencies:

• National Park Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• US Forest Service
• US Army Corps of Engineers

How does a veteran gain free entrance to a national park?
In national parks that charge an entrance fee, a veteran will need to present one of the following forms of identification to receive a free Interagency Military Pass:

• Department of Defense Identification Card (non-expired CAC Card)
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
• Veteran ID Card
• Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card

How long will free access be available?
Veterans and Gold Star Families receive free lifetime access. Currently, they can receive a Military pass that is valid for one year. By the end of 2022, they will be able to acquire a free lifetime pass.

Are there any costs to participate?
No. The voucher covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands and at lands managed by the National Park Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers. Fees still apply for expanded amenities such as camping, tours and special recreation permits. Reservation fees and fees for organized groups or concession-operated facilities or activities may not be covered by the voucher or Interagency Pass.

What is covered by the free access program?
The voucher covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands and on lands managed by the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers.

What is not covered by the free access program?
The program does not cover expanded amenity fees such as camping, tours or special recreation permits; reservation fees and fees for organized groups or concession-operated facilities or activities may not be included.

Can current members of the military receive free entrance to national parks?
Who else can receive free entrance?
Current members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents can enter national parks for free with an annual Interagency Military Pass through the America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (Interagency) Pass Program. There are a total of seven Interagency Passes available. For more information and to obtain these passes, please visit the USGS Store.

Are passes available for disabled veterans or other people with disabilities?
Yes. The Interagency Access Pass is a lifetime pass that is free for any US citizen or permanent resident, including a veteran or Gold Star Family member, who has a permanent disability. An Access Pass may also provide discounts for expanded amenities like camping, guided tours etc. For more information visit USGS Store - Access Pass.

What if I have a current Interagency Military Pass or other type of Interagency Pass?
If you have a Military Pass, Access Pass, or one of the other Interagency Passes, you can simply use that pass for free access. If you have recently purchased an Interagency Annual or Senior Pass, unfortunately no refunds are permitted. Veterans and Gold Star Family free access vouchers and Interagency Passes are non-transferable.

How does a Gold Star Family gain free access to a national park?
Before visiting a national park site, Gold Star Family members must download and print a voucher to present to park staff, exchange for an Interagency Military Pass, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites (representations of the voucher are prohibited; the physical voucher or pass must be present). View a list of federal locations that issue passes.

By downloading and signing the voucher, Gold Star Family members are self-certifying that they meet the required criteria as identified in sections 3.2 and 3.3 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36. Following is the self-certification language on the voucher: "I hereby affirm that I am an eligible next of kin (NOK) of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a qualifying situation, such as war, an international terrorist attack or a military operation outside of the United States while serving in the United States Armed Forces, as identified in sections 3.2 (Qualifying Situation) and 3.3 (Eligible NOK) of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36."

Download your Free Pass Here: