CAMP DENALI, Alaska – Alaskan veterans who are retired or have been honorably discharged can elect to have their status as a veteran placed on their driver’s license or state identification card beginning Friday.

To kick off this new opportunity, Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Katkus, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, and Verdie Bowen, director of the State of Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs, will each submit an application for a new driver’s license with the veteran designation at the Benson Boulevard Department of Motor Vehicles location in Anchorage, Friday at 2 p.m.

Through legislation passed in 2012, Alaska now joins 28 other states in offering this option to veterans.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the State of Alaska to honor all of our retired and honorably discharged veterans,” Bowen said. “Additionally, this will allow those who have the designation on their identifications to conveniently show they are a veteran and receive the discounts that many local merchants offer.”

Applicants can also elect to have their name and address shared with the State of Alaska Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, Office of Veterans Affairs so that veterans can receive benefit updates.

To receive the designation, a veteran must show the Department of Motor Vehicles a military retiree ID card, DD214, NGB22 or other applicable discharge forms that prove a discharge under honorable conditions.

If a person wants to surrender a current license or identification to receive the designation there will be a $5 fee. Otherwise, the normal fee for an original issuance, renewal or replacement of a lost card will be charged.

For more information, contact the Office of Veterans Affairs at (907)334-0874 or toll free at(888)428-3682.