Free parking and special programs at Virginia State Parks for Veterans Day

Virginia State Parks will waive parking fees at all parks on Nov. 11 in honor of veterans.

State Parks will also offer special activities associated with Veterans Day.

Eight state parks will offer programs that benefit deployed military and veterans. Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, will host a 5K run/walk to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. First Landing State Park, in Virginia Beach, will collect donated items through Nov. 10 for care packages to be shipped to deployed military.  Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston, is collecting non-perishable food items to benefit local residents in need, many of whom are veterans.

Douthat in Millboro, Natural Tunnel in Duffield, Shenandoah River in Bentonville, Twin Lakes in Green Bay and Westmoreland in Montross all offer an opportunity to make cards for deployed or wounded military.

On Nov. 11 six state parks will offer flag retirement ceremonies for old, damaged flags: Chippokes Plantation in Surry, Hungry Mother in Marion, James River in Gladstone, Kiptopeke in Cape Charles, Powhatan, in Powhatan County and Staunton River in Scottsburg.

Honor your hero by bringing a photograph and story to Leesylvania State Park’s Wall of Honor in Woodbridge. At Fairy Stone State Park, in Stuart, Veterans are invited to share and talk about their stories. Lake Anna in Spotsylvania, New River Trail in Max Meadows, and Wilderness Road near Cumberland Gap will feature speeches by veterans from the community.

For the complete list of programs, visit http://bit.ly/2015VetDay.

Caledon State Park will be closed Nov. 11 for a managed deer hunt.