"Operation Hero Miles" Goes Prime Time with Nine Airlines = 89% of Domestic Airline Market

Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is proud to announce "Operation Hero Miles" goes prime time with nine. Nine airlines, 89 % of the domestic airline market, are giving troops on emergency leave or Rest and Relaxation (R & R) from Iraq and Afghanistan free flights home. US Airways and Midwest Airlines are the latest airlines to announce their participation.

203 million miles have been donated by travelers and the airlines. This means that 8,100 free tickets are available for the troops.

"This means that 8,100 men and women in uniform who are from one corner of the country to the other and many places in between can fly home for free this holiday season. Generous travelers have given our troops and their families a wonderful gift in the true spirit of the season," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

The soldiers who have been granted two weeks of R & R are flown to Baltimore Washington International Airport, Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, GA, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas by the Department of Defense and then required to pay their own way to make connecting flights to their hometowns all across the country. Congressman Ruppersberger is concerned about the financial burden placed on military families and created Operation Hero Miles.

Participating Airlines

"Operation Hero Miles" is also teaming up with America Online, the world's leading interactive services company. AOL will display information about "Operation Hero Miles" on its "Welcome" page, the screen that appears when AOL subscribers first log on, with a special feature about a decorated American soldier. AOL will run this feature from 5pm, Thursday, December 11, 2003, until 5am, Friday, December 12th, 2003.