February
13, 2007: Theme park operator (and beer brewer) Anheuser-Busch will allow
active-duty members (including reservists on active duty) of the U.S. armed
forces to use Busch's SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio; Busch
Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg; Sesame Place; Water Country USA; and
Adventure Island, theme parks for free, for one day, any time during the rest
of the year. The offer is basically a one day free pass for the service member,
and up to three family members. Troops just show up, show their Department of
Defense identification, and they're in. A one day pass for two adults and two
children normally costs over $200. There are currently about 1.4 million men
and women on active duty in the U.S. armed forces. Freebies like this are not
unusual, but don't get a lot of coverage in the mass media. The companies, large
and small, that provide these gifts, do so out of a combination of gratitude,
patriotism and the knowledge that it will improve their stature among current
and potential customers.
