Ruppersberger Receives USO Service Award

Arlington, VA - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) joined the ranks of General Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense William Cohen, former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, then Secretary of State Richard Cheney, Senator John McCain and former House Speaker Thomas Foley as the 2004 USO Service Award Winner. Congressman Ruppersberger received this prestigious award at the USO Service Awards Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, on March 23, 2004.

Congressman Ruppersberger is presented with the USO Service Award by Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz

The Congressman was honored for creating "Operation Hero Miles," the innovative program that allows people to donate their unused frequent flyer miles and troops in Iraq and Afghanistan can use them to fly home for free. It also allows family members of wounded troops to visit their loved ones recovering at military hospitals across the country for free. In just five months, 534 million 'hero miles' have been donated. That is enough miles for 22,000 free tickets for the troops.

Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, gave Congressman Ruppersberger the award.

"All of this began with leadership of one man, a freshman member of Congress, who saw a problem and crafted a solution that enabled the American people to support our troops... The attention he brought to this problem prompted Congress to change the law so that as of January 1st we can now pay for domestic travel for servicemen and women returning on R & R or on Emergency Leave," said Mr. Wolfowitz.

"This award isn't about me. It's about the troops. It's a way for patriotic Americans to help our men and women in uniform risking their lives for their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. The overwhelming response to this program shows our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines that Americans care about them and their families," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi and his wife Elizabeth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers and his wife Mary Jo, actress and former USO Merit Award Recipient Miss Connie Stevens, USO Merit Award Recipient Alabama, Miss America 2004 Erika Dunlap and others were in attendance.

More information about "Operation Hero Miles" can be found at www.heromiles.org.

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