Metro often honors major events like inaugurations, Stanley Cup championships, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival with specially designed SmarTrip cards, and on Monday the transit system debuted a new card to honor veterans.
The design was developed months ago, however—during the initial planning stages for President Donald Trump’s military parade, set for Veterans Day.
After the parade was canceled due to cost, Metro still wanted to honor service members, Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said.
The limited-edition navy blue card was reconceived for Veterans and Military Family Month in November. The card shows members of all five branches of the military and says “It’s an honor to serve our nation’s heroes.”
“Metro is proud to honor our military service members and veterans who serve and protect our country,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said in a news release. “Here in the nation’s capital, our military and their families are also our customers.”
The cards can be bought online, at Metro’s Sales Office in Metro Center or at specially marked fare vending machines at all Metrorail stations.
This Veterans Day, the nation is recognizing all the men and women who have served in the military, plus the centennial of the armistice that ended World War I.
This story originally appeared on WAMU.
Jordan Pascale