Joining Forces Launches Family Friday Blogs by Highlighting Blue Star Museums

Today we launch our first in a series of Family Friday blogs, which will cover topics relevant to military and veteran families. This week's blog highlights one example of a great partnership aimed at increasing military family wellness through the enjoyment of the arts.

Blue Star Museums, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, Joining Forces, MetLife Foundation and museums across the country, have just wrapped up their fourth successful season. This year, more than 2,000 museums, art centers and exhibits offered free admission for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and their families from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

In addition to free admission, military children between the ages of 6-17 were invited to participate in the Way Cool Creativity Contest. The participants created a piece of art that either highlighted their visit to a Blue Star Museum or expressed appreciation for the arts. The 2013 Finalists have been selected and their artwork can be seen on the Way Cool Creativity Page.

Ask your local museums about military discounts or view the Blue Star Museums map for a list of museums that participate year-long. In addition, military service members, families and veterans can take advantage of Blue Star Theatres. Over 90 theaters nationwide have joined Blue Star Families to offer discounted or complimentary admission to military personnel, their families, and veterans.

Joining Forces would like to thank the more than 2,000 Blue Star Museums that took part in celebrating our military service members and their families. We look forward to seeing the 2014 season.

Colonel Rich Morales is the Executive Director for Joining Forces