Morale: Unreported Gifts

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February13, 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.