Operation Hero Miles – helping to bring troops home
There are dozens of organizations out there that are committed to aiding our military personnel and their families. From providing emergency financial assistance to soldiers to taking a vet on a fishing trip (please throw them back) there are countless ways to support our troops without relying on the government. All of these are well-meaning, some charities more efficient then others, and almost all of them will cost you a little dinero. You want one that won't? How – ˜bout Operation Hero Miles?
Frequent Flyer Miles. Almost everyone has them and most of them go unused. You can't use them during blackout dates or they expire before you plan to travel again. It's such a hassle to keep track of them that most people don't even bother to check and see how many they have. So Congressman “Dutch– Ruppersburger put together a program in 2003 that would allow people to donate unused miles to servicemen and women who come home from Iraq or Afghanistan on R&R leave. After Congress authorized all R&R travel at government expense, the program evolved. The program now allows that:
- Service men and women with an approved leave of five or more days may be given a free round trip airline ticket for a trip from the medical center to their home and return if they are not eligible for government funded airfare.
- Qualifying service men and women may be given free round trip airline tickets to enable their family or close friends to visit them while they are being treated at the medical center.
Which airlines are partners with the program? Glad you asked.
- AirTran Airways
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Midwest Airlines
- Northwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- US Airways
So if you're one of those contributing to the enormous stockpile of unused miles, please consider donating them to Operation Hero Miles. Only the President can bring them all home, but maybe you can help with just one.
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