Veteran Airstreamers

[Roscinante]

Saw a pretty new AS at the Travis AFB campground here in NorCal (the REAL Northern California! ) and it reminded me that we verterns have a great resource that lots of times goes under/un-used - our Recreation Departments at military bases scattered around the world. There is even a catalog you can get of all the bases showing what kinds of camping facilities they have.

For example, a WELL KEPT secret is the camping ground at the Coast Guard Training Center in Petaluma, CA. Located about an hour North of San Francisco, Petaluma is near both the Napa/Sonoma and the Russian River wine country. It is also a short trip to Bodega Bay (site of Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS), and more.

There are about about 15 or so sites with full hookups, a dumping station, a little mini-mart and gas station, a galley (Mess Hall), a theater, and a Consolidated Club with food and beverage service. There is also guest quarters where you can rent rooms. All you need is your active duty or retired ID card.

There is an old saying about "use it or lose it." Don't let these benefits you worked so hard to acquire go to waste.

JERRY

[myoung]

I've heard about sites at military facilities, but unfortunately being a veteran is not sufficient for admission. As you say, Jerry, you must be active duty or retired, not just a veteran. If these facilities are underutilized, I wonder if the admission criteria might be relaxed for those of us who served but were discharged after our tours ended.

[GlenCoombe]

We've got very nice modern facilities here at Shaw AFB in Sumter SC.

[doorgunner]

Fellow vets; There are a lot of places to camp. you should see the campground at NAS North Island. If you do a search on Morale, Welfare and Recreation (google) you will find all the places even Disney World. And should you be a disabled vet the State of California has a Disabled Vet/POW pass that has unreal benefits. The National Parks offer a 50% discount, and some county parks offer discounts to those who served. Lake San Antonio is one of them- sometimes you just need to ask. Thank you Montery county. The feds have some pretty nice dirt to say the least. Semper Fi Tim (Hi Mike)

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by myoung

I've heard about sites at military facilities, but unfortunately being a veteran is not sufficient for admission. As you say, Jerry, you must be active duty or retired, not just a veteran. If these facilities are underutilized, I wonder if the admission criteria might be relaxed for those of us who served but were discharged after our tours ended.

Ah, if only a DD214 were sufficient, what a great travelling lifestyle one could have!

Roger

[myoung]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

Ah, if only a DD214 were sufficient, what a great travelling lifestyle one could have!

Roger,

I absolutely agree. In terms of the number who actually have served in the military but who are not retired, I don't think the number is so large as to overwhelm the base campgrounds.

[Roscinante]

Mike,

Couldn't agree with you more. Veterans - those who retired or served for various amounts of time - earned any benefits they can get IMHO.

You may want to check with local facilities. Some have a "liberal" policy. You may even be able to be "sponsored" by someone who does have an accepted ID.

JERRY