Since the state first began offering a special veteran designation on driver's licenses and state IDs to those who honorably served in May, more than 13,000 veterans have applied for and received the cards, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said.
The optional special licenses give veterans an easy way to prove their status to receive discounts from businesses across Michigan. Veterans can apply for one at any Secretary of State office with documentation of their service.
Secretary of State staff participated in a Veterans Expo in Marquette on Aug. 9 to provide information about the new veteran designation for licenses and also answered veterans’ questions about other SOS services, including the state’s veteran license plates.
The Michigan Department of State participates in several veterans events each year and Secretary Johnson continues to pursue helpful changes for veterans through her Operation: Our Troops Count initiative.
Pictured: Delta County PLUS Secretary of State Manager Jeron Bushong and Phillip Keilman of Action Trackchair - Greater Midwest. Keilman helps veterans with service-related injuries who qualify obtain free all-terrain wheelchairs like the one he uses.
 Secretary Johnson is proud of the Department of State’s partnership with the Department of Natural Resources in promoting the state’s Recreation Passport, which ensures Michigan’s parks are enjoyed by millions each year and that they will continue to be for generations to come.
The Passport remains an exceptional deal for residents – access to all of Michigan’s state parks and many other recreation sites for an entire year for just $11 ($5 for motorcycles). From the Porcupine Mountains to Tahquamenon Falls to Straits State Park to Belle Isle, you can truly experience the majesty of Michigan with a Recreation Passport.
From October 2011, when the Recreation Passport was introduced, through June 2014, about 7.7 million have been sold – more than 6.4 million of them through transactions with MDOS. Overall, Passport sales have brought in nearly $80 million that goes to fund programs for state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, non-motorized trail heads and boat launches. Funds are also used to improve state historic sites and community parks.
The statewide participation rate for Recreation Passports out of the vehicles eligible has averaged between 26 and 27 percent for the last couple of years. Johnson has challenged SOS staff to help raise that number higher.
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