In 1999, Congress designed May as National Military Appreciation Month, giving way for the public to show their appreciation for troops both in and out of the military. Thousands of active military personnel worked on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and assisted with COVID-19 testing and distribution of the vaccine in our communities.
Gold Runner thanks our active and former members of the U.S. armed forces for their service. Gold Runner offers active military and veterans a 15% discount, along with our "Get Ahead of the Ticket Line" policy that welcomes uniformed military personnel to the head of the ticket line.
We welcome the public to join Gold Runner this year to pause, honor and thank the men and women that have and continue to serve our country. Many of the stations along the Amtrak San Joaquin corridor feature military monuments and memorials where the public can give respect to the fallen men and women. Below is a list of places for riders to visit this Military Appreciation Month:
Downtown Sacramento
The State Capitol Park is home to several memorials and monuments. The California State Capitol Museum offers the public a digital Capitol Park Memorial Booklet for the public that includes information about each and a map. The memorials and monuments are listed below:
The Civil War Memorial Grove (in the State Capitol Park)
The California Vietnam Veterans Memorial (east side of the State Capitol Park, near 15th Street)
State Capitol Park's World Peace Rose Garden (east side of the State Capitol Park, 1317 15th Street)
The California Mexican-American Veterans Memorial (971 Capitol Mall)
Merced
Castle Air Museum preserves military aviation and offers visitors the opportunity to view more than 70 military aircraft. Located on 25 acres, the Castle Air Museum is an outdoor museum and is offering an open cockpit day on May 31. Active and retired military members receive a $5 discount on admission.
Fresno
Veterans Memorial Museum (2425 Fresno Street) Admission is always free and the museum is open Monday - Saturdays from 10 AM - 3 PM.
San Francisco
World War II West Coast Memorial (within the Presidio) The World War II West Coast Memorial overlooks the entrance to San Francisco Harbor. This memorial was erected in the memory of the soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen, and airmen who died in the American coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean during World War II.
Korean War Memorial (adjacent to the San Francisco National Cemetery) The Korean War Memorial in San Francisco commemorates the sacrifices made by all those who fought in the so-called "Forgotten War." Officially open to the public in 2016, San Francisco was chosen for the Memorial site because it was where many embarked to fight in the war, and the end of the journey for so many who returned, the living and the dead.
Richmond
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front is a national historic park located in Richmond, which explores and honors the efforts and sacrifices of American civilians on the World War II home front. Head to the visitor education center to check out their interactive exhibits.
Nearby is the SS Red Oak Victory, a restored World War II Victory ship berthed in the former Kaiser Richmond shipyards as a floating museum. She is the last surviving vessel of 747 ships of all types built at the Richmond Kaiser Shipyards during World War II and stands as a monument to the thousands of men and women who worked hard to build these ships in a time of national crisis.
Bakersfield
The Kern Veterans Memorial is just a few steps away across the Amtrak parking lot, and the Vietnam Memorial is a few blocks to the west. Visit Bakersfield has compiled a listing of all eight locations that are available here. One of these locations is the Bakersfield National Cemetery, the only national cemetery in California that is designated as a National Shrine.
