Commitment to Veterans and Service Members: Free Admission to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Commitment to Veterans and Service Members: Free Admission to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Across the nation, there's a community of over 18 million veterans whose stories are waiting to be told. These men and women, as well as the nearly 1.29 million active-duty service members¹, each have a unique narrative of courage and resilience. Ohio is home to over 830,000 veterans and 11,000 active-duty service members², as well as the National Veterans Memorial and Museum(NVMM), where the inspiring stories of these brave Americans are preserved and celebrated for generations to come.

To honor and recognize the sacrifices made by those who have served, all veterans, active-duty service members and Gold Star family members (those who have experienced the loss of a family member while in active-duty service) will receive free admission to the NVMM, sponsored by Nationwide through January 31, 2026, as part of the museum's longstanding commitment to service members.

"We are grateful for the courage, dedication and countless sacrifices made by our country's heroes," said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. "Offering access to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is a small token of our appreciation for our veterans, active-duty service members and Gold Star families, and it reinforces our commitment to ensuring their stories are honored and remembered."

NVMM is the only museum in America that honors veterans from all branches of service over the eras of the nation's military history. The museum welcomes everyone, taking visitors on a narrative journey that tells individual stories and shared experiences of veterans throughout history to foster a deeper connection with the community and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.

"The mission of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is to honor all veterans, elevate their stories, and amplify the power of service," said Dr. Frederic Bertley, CEO of the NVMM. "By offering free admission to veterans, active-duty service members, and Gold Star family members, we provide a welcoming environment where they can connect with their history and share their story of service with their loved ones and the greater community."

Nationwide's support is part of the NVMM's ongoing efforts to engage the community and promote awareness of the contributions made by the nation's veterans and active-duty service members. Nationwide has granted $5 million to NVMM to support their initiatives since 2008, in addition to the general operating support the Nationwide Foundation has provided to NVMM yearly since its inception, contributing $2.8 million since 2006.

Since January 2021, Nationwide has hired nearly 500 veterans and is a long-time sponsor of the Veterans Honor Flight, which flies senior veterans every year to the nation's capital to visit memorials and celebrate their service.

¹U.S. Census Bureau
²Ohio Department of Veteran Services