New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) Commissioner Rose Harvey invited families and children to celebrate Veterans Day by learning about veterans’ sacrifices at one of many state historic sites where veterans helped shape New York State and United States History.
 
“Many of our state historic sites honor and preserve the stories of veterans who served our nation with distinction,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “Learning about the accomplishments and sacrifices of these men and women in our history is an excellent way to celebrate Veterans Day.”

Opportunities to commemorate Veterans Day include:

Bennington Battlefield, Rensselaer County

Visit the location of an August 1777 Revolutionary War battle that was critical to the later American victory in the Battles of Saratoga. Grounds will be open Veterans Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Herkimer Home, Herkimer County

Visit the home of Revolutionary War hero General Nicholas Herkimer. Although seriously wounded in the leg, Herkimer kept command during the fierce combat of the Battle of Oriskany. He later died of his wounds and was immediately regarded a martyr to the cause of American freedom and his home became a shrine. The grounds of the home are open from dawn to dusk.

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Orange County

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New York's Hudson River Valley honors the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart. The Hall of Honor will conduct a brief ceremony and wreath laying in commemoration of Veterans Day. This ceremony will take place outside, weather permitting, by the flag poles at the Hall of Honor at 2 p.m.

At 2:30 p.m. there will be a brief tribute to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the formal beginning of War in Vietnam. Seating for this portion of the free program is limited and reservations are strongly recommended. To make a reservation, call 845-561-1765.

Old Fort Niagara, Niagara County

Commemorate the centennial of World War One by learning about Fort Niagara's role in the conflict. A PowerPoint presentation details Fort Niagara's role in World War One. The program begins at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 11 at the Fort Niagara Officers Club then moves out into Fort Niagara State Park for a walking tour of the World War One Army base. Meet a U.S. Doughboy from the era and learn about the challenges that faced the United States when we entered the war in 1917. Free admission.

New Windsor Cantonment, Orange County

The New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site will take part in an off-site cooperative program with the Temple Hill Association to relay the events that led to the challenge of a duel between top officers of the Contintental Army in the Revolutionary War. The program will take place Sunday, Nov. 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Edmonston House, located at 1042 Route 94 in New Windsor. Admission is free. For more information, call (845) 561-1765 ext. 22.

Sackets Harbor Battlefield, Jefferson County

Visit Sackets Harbor Battlefield, a center of American naval and military activity in the War of 1812. The grounds will be open dawn to dusk.

Stony Point Battlefield, Rockland County

Visit Stony Point Battlefield, the site of a decisive Revolutionary War battle where American forces seized control of the Hudson River from the British. The grounds will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Washington's Headquarters, Orange County

Visit the General George Washington's Revolutionary War headquarters in Newburgh, where he made some of his most important contributions to shaping the American republic. It was here that Washington rejected the idea that he should be king after the war; prevented military control of the government; created and awarded the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart; and influenced the writing of the Constitution. The site is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through the winter.

To assist disabled New York veterans, Governor Cuomo created the new Lifetime Liberty Pass, which offers free vehicle entry to State Parks and Department of Environmental Conservation-operated day-use areas, as well as numerous State boat launch sites, historic sites, arboretums and park preserves; free golf at 28 State Park golf courses; free swimming pool entrance at 36 State Park pools, and discounted camping and cabin rentals at all 119 State Park and DEC campgrounds. To qualify for the pass, the veteran must provide State Parks with written certification from the United States Veterans Administration or the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs that the appli­cant is a war veteran with a 40 percent or greater service connected disability. Visit the State Parks website for more information and an application: http://nysparks.com/admission/lifetime-liberty-pass.aspx.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.