"Operation Hero Miles" Takes Off Again
 Congressman Ruppersberger presents 680 free airline tickets to |
Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is pleased to announce that "Operation Hero Miles" is expanding its mission and is giving 680 free plane tickets to the families of troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The tickets will allow family members to visit their loved ones who are recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC, for free.
The tickets were donated by Anheuser-Busch Inc., the world's largest beer brewer, and will be distributed through the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit organization that opens its homes to military families visiting their injured loved ones at hospitals across the country.
"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 to be able to help these soldiers heal with their families at their side during this very important time," said Congressman Ruppersberger.
Congressman Ruppersberger visited with wounded soldiers and their families at the Fisher House on the campus of Walter Reed Medical Center on December 30th, 2003, to thank them for their service for their country.
 Alice Rodgers speaks of her son, Army Spc. Joe Gottschalk, who is recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. Gottschalk, of the 2133rd Transportation Unit, Iowa National Guard, was seriously wounded in an ambush near the Syrian border during Operation Iraqi Freedom. |
"Operation Hero Miles", the innovative program created by Congressman Ruppersberger, helps troops on emergency leave or Rest and Relaxation (R & R) from Iraq and Afghanistan fly home for free. Right now troops are flown to airports in Baltimore, Maryland, Atlanta, Georgia, and Dallas, 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. That is why he created "Operation Hero Miles".
Travelers can donate their unused frequent flyer miles and soldiers can use them to get free flights home. So far 366 million frequent flyer miles have been donated to "Operation Hero Miles." That is enough miles for 15,300 free round trip tickets for the troops. Visit www.heromiles.org for more information about participating airlines and to learn how to donate your frequent flyer miles.