Ruppersberger & Democratic Members of MD Delegation Ask President Bush to Keep Troops Traveling Through BWI Airport

Washington, DC - The Pentagon is considering eliminating Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport as the nation's major point of entry for troops returning from overseas. The Department of Defense (DOD) has already begun diverting flights from BWI to airports in Atlanta and Dallas. Congressman Ruppersberger (D-MD) together with every democratic member of the Maryland Delegation sent a letter to President George W. Bush on May 10th, 2004, asking him NOT to allow this to happen and keep troops traveling through BWI.

"We strongly urge you to recognize how essential the airport, its workers, and the USO staff and volunteers are to making travel for our military personnel and their families as comfortable as possible. The systems in place work and we don't believe they should be changed... The State of Maryland spent $1.1 million dollars for construction of the one-of-a-kind USO International Gateway Lounge. It is staffed by some of the most dedicated volunteers. BWI Airport has gone above and beyond the call of duty for our men and women in uniform. We know because many of us have been there. We have thanked the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines for their service to their country in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. We have also thanked the energetic USO staff and volunteers who work around the clock to provide our troops with the comforts of home - anything from a clean shower to homemade snacks to a computer to communicate with loved ones," read the letter to the President.

In September 2003, the Pentagon started giving soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan two weeks of leave in the largest R & R program since the Vietnam War. Most soldiers on R & R or Emergency Leave travel through BWI Airport. The USO Gateway Lounge at BWI hosts more than 250,000 military personnel and their families each year. The military travel program brings more than $20 million annually to the state of Maryland.

The Democratic members of the Maryland Delegation also invited President Bush to join the group in a visit to BWI to greet returning troops and thank the dedicated USO volunteers. "We cordially extend an invitation for you to join us at BWI to greet the returning troops and tour the facility at your convenience. Many of us have been to the USO lounge and met with soldiers returning and departing for Iraq. Not until we made that trip could we appreciate the full value of the special USO mission there," read the letter.

BWI Airport's close proximity to Baltimore and Washington makes it ideal for troop transport. It is located near close to a dozen military installations, the Pentagon, the Capitol and the White House. BWI also sits on the I-95 corridor which allows families easy access to the airport and the surrounding community. In addition, BWI offers exceptionally low fares as a hub to Southwest Airlines and is close to two other large commercial airports, Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport. BWI is also served by Amtrak.

Congressman Ruppersberger created "Operation Hero Miles," the innovative program that allows travelers to donate their unused frequent flyer miles. Military personnel can use them to fly home for free and family members of wounded troops can use them to travel to military hospitals to visit their injured loved ones.

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