HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Military families, local officials and special guests gathered at the Hill Aerospace Museum on May 12, to mark the beginning of the 2026 Blue Star Museums season.
The event served as a press conference to highlight the national program, which provides free admission to participating museums for military personnel and their families beginning May 16.
During the event, organizers asked the military children in the audience to raise their hands, taking a moment to acknowledge the unique sacrifices they make to support their parents’ service.
Kathy Roth-Douquet, chief executive officer of Blue Star Families, told the children that their access to museums and other year-round family activities is the nation’s way of saying thank you.
“Your mom and dad are serving the country, and they're making things safe for everyone,” Roth-Douquet said. “They're unlocking all of these experiences for you ... Your parents are awesome.”
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of War, and museums nationwide. Leaders from the NEA and the Utah state government also attended to celebrate the program's expansion, which now includes 37 participating locations across Utah.
Following the formal remarks, families had the opportunity to explore the base museum's exhibits, as well as the Freedom 250 Mobile Museum. The mobile exhibit visited the installation as part of a nationwide tour presenting the history of American independence.
Aaron Clark, Hill Aerospace Museum director, said that participating in the national initiative connects transient military families to institutions across the country that welcome them.
“This program creates a space for kids to discover something new,” Clark said. “Participating is our way of saying, you belong here, and we're honored to serve you.”
Col. Dan Cornelius, 75th Air Base Wing commander, said that the backing service members receive from both national organizations and the local Utah community is vital to the installation's readiness and morale.
“The support that we get from not only these organizations, but the state and our local communities. We cannot say thank you enough,” Cornelius said. “All that you do to support our teammates is incredibly important.”
The Blue Star Museums season officially runs throughout the summer at participating locations across the country. For more information and a list of locations, military families can visit the National Endowment for the Arts website.