Congressman Ruppersberger Commends Partnership Between Delta's SkyWish Program and Fisher House

Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) praised the new SkyWish partnership with Fisher-House Foundation that will enable Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles program members to donate miles to assist families of hospitalized military personnel with their travel needs. The Delta SkyWish program will help strengthen "Operation Hero Miles," the innovative program created by Congressman Ruppersberger to help troops on emergency leave or Rest and Relaxation (R & R) from Iraq and Afghanistan fly home for free.

The Fisher House Foundation is a non-profit organization that donates "comfort homes" built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers throughout the United States and overseas. The network of 32 homes enables family members to be at the bedside of a loved one who is receiving care at the nearby hospital.

In December 2003, the Hero Miles program partnered with the Fisher House Foundation so that Hero Miles tickets can be used to fly family members of wounded soldiers to U.S. military hospitals and be with their loved ones. Often these families have to make many trips and stay for months at a time to help seriously wounded soldiers through long recuperations and multiple surgeries. The Fisher House provides free lodging for the families and Hero Miles provides transportation.

"I applaud Delta and Fisher House for supporting our men and women in uniform. The SkyWish program offers patriotic Americans the chance to help our military personnel risking their lives for their country in Iraq and Afghanistan" said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, "Sometimes the love and support of family is the best medicine to help an injured troop recover from his or her injuries. We are thrilled that this new program will help soldiers heal with their families at their side during this very important time."

Delta Air Lines is proud to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2004. Delta is the world's second largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offering daily flights to 493 destinations in 87 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem frequent flier miles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam, Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. For more information, please visit delta.com.

More information about "Operation Hero Miles" can be found at www.heromiles.org. Additional SkyWish donation information can be found at delta.com/skymiles/use/donate.

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