Military beach tags will be available free to veterans and active members of the armed forces beginning Saturday. (Image courtesy of Ocean City)
The 2024 Ocean City military beach tag features the 31Heroes logo in recognition of the nonprofit organization that raises money and awareness for veteran programs and runs the annual Memorial Beach Challenge in Ocean City.
Ocean City’s military beach tag designs have honored each branch of the military and also local veteran organizations. The city issues more than 5,000 free military beach tags each summer to veterans and active military members.
The free military tags will be available for pickup starting on Saturday.
Remember to have proper military identification to receive your free tag(s). Veterans receive free tags (veteran only). Active military members, spouses and immediate children up to age 23 receive free tags. For additional information, call 609-399-6111, ext. 9377.
Tags can be picked up at the following locations:
31Heroes was founded after the tragedy of August 6, 2011, when in a single instance, America lost 30 military service members and one U.S. military K-9 – when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was downed in Afghanistan. In the wake of the tragedy, a mission was born.
“We are incredibly thankful to Ocean City for featuring our logo this year on their veteran beach tags,” said Jason Barnes, president of the Board of Directors at 31Heroes. “We rely on the community for their support and Ocean City, from the volunteers to city staff, are an amazing group of people and a valued partner of 31Heroes and the Memorial Beach Challenge. We look forward to this event every year to raise much-needed support for our organization.”
The Memorial Beach Challenge supports 31Heroes and is held on Memorial Day weekend each year. The main Obstacle Course Challenge event is a two-plus mile soft-sand adventure race with individuals or teams of up to four people participating. There is also a Kids Fun Run, specially designed to let children be a part of the day’s fun.
“I’m proud that Ocean City can host the Memorial Beach Challenge each year, and I want to thank everybody at 31Heroes for all the important work they do,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “It’ll be great to see the 31Heroes logo on our tags this summer.”
Ocean City has hosted the Memorial Beach Challenge since 2012 and considers it the event to open the summer. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 25, and is expected to attract 1,000 participants.
Local volunteers organize the event and city staff come together to support the day about honoring those who sacrifice to preserve the freedoms we enjoy every day.
About Ocean City Beach Tags
Free seasonal tags are available to veterans and active military members. Veterans receive free tags (veteran only). Active military members, spouses and immediate children up to age 23 also are eligible to receive free tags. The program is made possible by state legislation, and free tags for active military members have been available since 2011 and for veterans since 2014. More information available at ocnj.us/beachtags.
About 31Heroes
31Heroes, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., was immediately formed after the downing of Extortion 17 to support the families. The mission of 31Heroes is to raise money and awareness through social and athletic events to support the families of Extortion 17 and honor their legacy by funding treatment for Veterans suffering from mental health issues.
To date, more than $2 million in funds has been distributed to family members of the servicemembers lost on August 6, 2011, and to veteran programs. More information on the Memorial Beach Challenge available at memorialbeachchallenge.com.
