isn't the most important base in the . It also isn't the biggest. But for the Dayton, Ohio, area, it's an important economic factor. And now that U.S. military veterans have access to military bases, it's getting a lot more important to vets in the local community.

When the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act allowed veterans with service-connected disabilities and those enrolled in the

' caregiver program to access the base, the 88th Security Forces Squadron didn't have a hard time with the influx of veterans requesting access, said Patrick Poth, chief of plans and programs for the 88th at Wright-Patt. They opened up early registration for veterans to get base access.

Although entrance rules might vary by base, most operate under the same procedures as Wright-Patterson. To get base access there, eligible veterans first need to get their Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) from the enrollment office of their local VA.

Usually, you just need to have a photo taken, and your new ID will show up in the mail within a few weeks.

But If the veteran doesn’t have a VHIC, they’ll be directed to go get one.

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