ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Army News Service, April 16, 2007) - Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center on Walt Disney World, is offering military veterans with less than 20 years of service an opportunity to vacation on the resort this September as part of a "Salute to our Veterans" program.
While Shades of Green can assist honorably discharged veterans year-round in acquiring discounted accommodations in neighboring resorts and hotels, the "Salute to Our Veterans" program allows veterans to book rooms at Shades of Green Resort for the first time. Reservations normally are limited to active-duty DOD employees or those retired with 20 or more years of military service.
Space in the "Salute to our Veterans" program is limited. Early reservations are recommended.
"I am really impressed and proud to be eligible to use this vacation resort," said Ms. Nancy Dreussi, unit administrative technician for the Army Reserve's A Company, 256th Combat Support Hospital, in Blacklick, Ohio. "As a veteran of the active-duty Army and someone who has been deployed overseas to a hostile area as an Army Reservist, this is an awesome 'thank you.' It is great to be able to get away with the family, especially after having been gone from them for such a long time."
Located on Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Shades of Green is one of five Armed Forces Recreation Centers in the world. The AFRC's are self-supporting, and provide luxury accommodations at a fraction of the cost of similar facilities. Room rates are on a sliding scale based on rank or grade, and reservations are normally restricted to active-duty or retired DOD employees.
Shades of Green sits between the Palm and Magnolia golf courses, two of Disney's PGA-certified courses, and provides Soldiers and families all the comforts and benefits of a resort vacation. Situated on 30 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with cascading waterfalls and lush tropical gardens, the resort boasts 586 guest rooms with 11 family and junior suites, two heated swimming pools, a hot tub and a children's pool.
Guests are provided transportation to all Walt Disney World attractions and early entry into select venues inside the Magic Kingdom. Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park are just minutes away. Discount tickets are available to all area attractions.
"We owe our Soldiers and veterans the opportunity to enjoy the same quality of life they've pledged to defend," said Mr. Rich Gorman, chief operating officer of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, which runs the resorts. "These AFRC's are one of the many ways we show our Soldiers we're here for them and their families."
For more information or to make room reservations, call Shades of Green at (407) 827-8387 or go online at <a href="http://www.shadesofgreenvets.org"target=_blank> www.shadesofgreenvets.org</a>.
(Ms. Margaret Mckenzie writes for the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Commmand.)
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