As a veteran of America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I know first-hand the toll that war can take on someone. I buried two of my best friends in Arlington National Cemetery, flew countless combat missions into and out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and carry the burden of war with me every day. I’ve found peace with my time in the service with the help of a loving and caring family, dear friends, and the solace I get from spending time outdoors.
This year, the Georgia State Legislature has before them a bill that would dramatically help veterans by granting free access to all of Georgia’s state parks to veterans, active military members, and Gold Star Families. The Georgia Honor and Wellness Act amends Georgia Code 12-3-9.1, which currently only grants a 25% discount on state park tickets to 100% disabled veterans. In 2024, only 461 veterans met the criteria and took advantage of such a discount. However, there over 600,000 veterans that reside in Georgia.
Vedia Barnett, authored the bill, and is founder of the non-profit The VetSpace, which gathers female military veterans in outdoor spaces. Through her own disability and trauma, Vedia found peace and comfort in spending quality time outdoors with her fellow veterans. The Georgia Honor and Wellness Act seeks to expand access to the outdoors for all veterans, disabled or not, and frankly, gets Georgia in line with dozens of other states and the National Park system that already offer such a benefit.
In our era of polarized politics when there seems to be little we can agree upon, it’s a shame that something as cheap, easy, and agreeable as veterans’ care cannot get a viable say in the state legislature. Currently, not a single state representative or senator has taken the simple step of sponsoring the Georgia Honor and Wellness Act. With only one month until crossover day in the state legislature, the clock is running on getting free access to our wonderful state parks for our state’s 600,000 veterans. Please contact your local Fayette County representatives (Senator Marty Harbin, Senator Kenya Wicks, Rep. Josh Bonner, Rep. Derrick Jackson, Rep. Karen Mathiak, Rep. Debra Bazemore) to take up this bill, and take the easy steps of making a brighter day for our veterans.
Bryce Remkes is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. He lives in Brooks, GA with his wife and two children.