The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center (AHMEC), 1220 American Blvd., West Chester, will join over 2,000 museums around the country to honor United States military personnel who are currently serving and their families with free admission through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. The initiative, titled Blue Star Museums, is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Blue Star Families (BSF) in collaboration with the Department of Defense.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force; members of the reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps; and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card, or Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into participating Blue Star Museums.

The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center is the nation's premier aviation museum devoted exclusively to helicopters. Established in 1996, the nonprofit organization collects, restores, and displays rotary-wing aircraft, including over 35 civilian and military helicopters, autogyros, and convertiplanes.

To learn more, visit http://www.americanhelicopter.museum or http://www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums.