COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-Nearly 3,000 servicemembers and their Families flocked to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Saturday and Sunday to take advantage of the $4.25 admission prices during the zoo's military appreciation weekend.
For the fifth year the zoo offered the special pricing to show its appreciation to the servicemembers and their families who have made sacrifices on the public's behalf and to provide an opportunity for recently deployed Soldiers to spend quality family time, according to a zoo release.
"It's our way of saying thank you to military personnel and their families for their sacrifice. We hope this gives them the opportunity to spend a fun day together as a family," said Katie Borremans, zoo public relations manager.
Visitors had an opportunity to see the zoo's recent additions, Honovi and Yazhi, Rocky Mountain goats born May 14. They also had a chance to feed crackers to the largest reticulated giraffe herd at any zoo, and discover more than 30 species of endangered animals, to include the Sumatran orangutan, lowland gorillas, spectacled bears and African elephants.
Sgt. Paul Nicks, Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, took advantage of the special to enjoy a family outing with his wife and their five children.
"It's nice to know in this town that they appreciate us and show us respect and honor and have a day for us," said Nicks, who was recently assigned to Fort Carson.
Noting that military families receive many benefits in the area, Nicks said he hopes his family has a long stay at the Mountain Post.
Maj. Greg Cole, 4th Infantry Division operations, and his wife, Katherine, also made their first visit to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Sunday.
"I love it," the major said. "We're moving real slow looking at the giraffes and meerkats. It's very enjoyable."
One to take up businesses on their military specials, the major said the military appreciation weekend drew him to the zoo.
"We picked this weekend just because of the discount," he said.
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