Ruppersberger Announces DreamWorks Supports "Operation Hero Miles"

Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is pleased to announce that DreamWorks SKG, the makers of blockbuster films such as 'Saving Private Ryan', 'Shrek', 'The Ring' and dozens of other memorable movies, has announced that they will be donating a half million frequent flyer miles to "Operation Hero Miles," the innovative program that allows troops to fly home from Iraq and Afghanistan for free.

"Millions of movie fans have marveled at the creative genius of the talented movie makers at DreamWorks that make dreams come alive on the silver screen. Today, they are fulfilling the dreams of service men and women and their families by giving them the gift of quality time with loved ones this holiday season. It is wonderful to see Hollywood helping our American heroes who are risking their lives for our country in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. We salute the generosity of DreamWorks. It means so much all year but especially now during this holiday season," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

"Congressman Ruppersberger deserves to be applauded for creating 'Operation Hero Miles,'" said DreamWorks Co-Founder and Principal, Jeffrey Katzenberg. "On behalf of our employees, we are delighted to contribute our mileage to this program as a small gesture of our appreciation for the many sacrifices our troops have made."

309 million frequent flyer miles have been donated to "Operation Hero Miles." That is enough miles for 12,700 free round trip tickets for the troops.

Travelers can donate their frequent flyer miles to thirteen different airlines, AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, America West Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Pan Am and Boston-Maine Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways. Soldiers who have been granted two weeks of Rest and Relaxation (R & R) from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as troops on Emergency Leave can receive free plane tickets home through this program.

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's why he created "Operation Hero Miles".

Visit www.heromiles.org for more information.