Thank You Anheuser-Busch

...and not just for the beer.

For those few that have missed the Dawn Patrol, here's my excuse. My kids come home from work the other day and say "How 'bout we go to Bush Gardens (Tampa)"
It's FREE for military

That's right, those that are not familiar with this program it's called “Here’s to the Heroes”
"Here’s to the Heroes" provides a single day’s free admission once a year to any one SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA, for the service member and as many as three of his or her direct dependents. Any active duty, active reserve, ready reserve service member or National Guardsman is entitled to free admission under the program. He or she need only register, either online here or in the entrance plaza of a participating park, and show a Department of Defense photo ID. Also included in the offer are members of foreign military forces serving in the coalitions in Iraq or Afghanistan or attached to American units in the U.S. for training.

"Here’s to the Heroes" is the fourth tribute to military personnel offered by Anheuser-Busch since Yellow Ribbon Summer welcomed service members home from the Gulf War in 1991.

Anheuser-Busch has supported the military for more than 150 years, and in 2005 launched the "Here’s to the Heroes Tour", which allowed everyday Americans to record video messages of support and thanks for the men and women of the U.S. military. The Heroes Tour traveled more than 29,000 miles to towns and events across America from April through December, collecting messages from more than 11,000 Americans. Working with the America Supports You program, the messages were aired on American Forces Radio and Television Service on U.S. military bases in more than 177 countries and on 150 bases in the United States throughout 2005.

I think that's awesome.

Now, free or not, I'm not normally the kind to go on a trip like this on a moments notice. I like to plan, make lists, so thank God (not Gore) for the internet. Google map made getting there easy. But a quick search for hotel and hotel reviews almost ended it. Hotels close by we're expensive ($150 to $220 a night for 5 people) and the inexpensive ones ($60-$80) were not in the best neighborhood, however I always look for a military base nearby and I found MacDill AFB, home base of US Central Command (CENTCOM), just 30 minutes away on the Bay and I must say, it's a beautiful base. It is located on the southern tip of the Interbay Peninsula.

The MacDill Inn was one of THE best hotels I've ever stayed at, and considering this was also TLF (Temporary Living Facilities) just made this even more surprising. It's a block from the bay, although beautiful not my cup of tea for swimming (don't like bay water). But the Gulf is only 25 minutes away. And the kicker is, it's only $36.00 a night for two bedrooms (1 queen and 2 twin beds), a living room with a queen hide-a-bed and a large chair that was a twin hide-a-bed, (sleeps a total of 7), a TV in each room with cable, a full size kitchen AND a washer and dryer. A hotel closer with all these amenities would have been in the $400 range, so 30 minutes doesn't seem so far anymore, beside I do that everyday to get to the mall.

As for Busch Gardens Tampa, it was AWESOME! The rides were spectacular, only one ride was shut down for maintenance, the 4-D movie theater was fun, Animals were exoctic and well cared for, food was great and reasonably priced. The park, itself, was not overly crowded, the lines for rides were 20 minutes long at THE most, plus each ride had lockers (nice), the rest rooms were really pleasantly clean, and the staff were friendly. Even though this is not a water park, plan on getting plenty wet so dress accordingly (No, see thru when wet tops, girls).

Overall, this is was a great family vacation, it would have been 1000 times better if dad could have been there but wait til next year dad and the kids drag you on the Sheikra with it's 90% drop from 200 ft or their personal favorite, the longest and most intense ride

If you can't download the video Dad, kids will be sending their reports soon, with all the details. Wish you could have been there. Love You

Now for everyone else, Anheuser-Busch operates nine U.S. theme parks: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg; SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego and SeaWorld San Antonio; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia; Water Country USA in Williamsburg and Adventure Island in Tampa, so if you're military I highly recommend you register and go and those of you that are not, Busch Gardens offers any two days for the price of one and other deals, definitly worth the trip.

So Thank You Anheuser-Busch for your support of our military!