Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Airlines Ask Frequent Flyers to be Heroes

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

May 22, 2007 – Ten airlines are stepping up to the plate for families of injured servicemembers and encouraging their passengers to do the same. "The president of CNN challenged his staff to do something over Memorial Day weekend," Jim Weiskopf, vice president of communications for the Fisher House Foundation, said. "They looked around at a couple options and they decided that they would like to do a drive to get us more 'Hero Miles.'"

The Fisher House Foundation is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with
military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. It also administers the Defense Department's Hero Miles program, which provides free airline tickets to servicemembers injured during their service in Iraq or Afghanistan and their families.

To get the ball rolling, CNN contacted all 10 of the Hero Miles program's airline partners and asked if they would agree to a challenge. The airlines agreed to match every frequent flyer mile their passengers donate to the program between 6 a.m. May 25 and 11:59 p.m. May 28, Weiskopf said.

"As you might imagine, most of the ticketing we do is all at the last minute because it's all connected to medical emergencies," Weiskopf said. "Normally, the tickets we're getting today are for flights leaving tomorrow and the day after."

If servicemembers' families had to pay out of pocket, those tickets average more than $1,300 each. Considering Hero Miles has provided about 9,800 tickets, that's more than $12 million the program has been able to save servicemembers and their families, Weiskopf said. That's the equivalent of about 450 million miles in the three and a half years since the program began.

While Hero Miles makes sure any family member who wants to be at their servicemember's side can be, it also covers what Weiskopf terms "close friends."

"I use the terminology 'close friends' because if you're young and single, it's nice to have your mother and father there, but you probably really want your boyfriend or girlfriend," he said. "If that will help you recover, we'll bring them in."

The same is true for any other person -- pastor or former coach, for example -- in a servicemember's life who might inspire a speedy recovery, he said. He emphasized, however, that the tickets Hero Miles provides are for medically necessary travel only. Tickets for regular leave requests cannot be accommodated.

Though Hero Miles accepts donations of frequent flyer miles year-round, those who would like to make donations during this weekend when they'll count twice as much can find links on each of the participating airlines' Web sites. AirTran, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United, and U.S. Airways are participating.

Links to these airlines also can be found on the Fisher House Foundation's "Hero Miles" Web page,
www.fisherhouse.org/programs/heroMiles.shtml.

"We are so deeply appreciative for the generosity of the American flying public," Weiskopf said. "Individually, (the airlines) have all told us that this is perhaps the most meaningful frequent flyer program that they have been associated with in the history of the airline because (the miles) are going right to the people who need them most.

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Army Secretary Visits Womack Army Medical Center

By Spc. Aaron L. Rosencrans, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

May 22, 2007 – Acting Secretary of the
Army Pete Geren visited Womack Army Medical Center here today to meet wounded soldiers and take a firsthand look at the programs and treatment offered to soldiers and their families. "Womack is doing an excellent job of taking care of the wounded soldiers and meeting the needs of the families," Geren said.

During his visit, Geren spoke with soldiers who were wounded during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was concerned with how well the staff was taking care of the soldiers and whether they were meeting all of their needs.

"The doctors and nurses are doing an outstanding job of taking care of me here," said Spc. Marco A. Illanes-Castro, gunner, 600th Quartermaster Company, 507th Corps Support Group.

Geren awarded the Purple Heart to Illanes-Castro during his visit. Illanes-Castro was given the medal for injuries he suffered when a roadside bomb struck his vehicle in southern Iraq.

"It was quite an honor to receive the Purple Heart from Secretary of the Army Geren," said Illanes-Castro. "I'm grateful to still be alive to be able to receive it."

One aspect of the treatment Geren was particularly interested in was the new program that brings soldiers' family members to Fort Bragg to aid soldiers' morale and recovery.

Illanes-Castro, originally from Bolivia, was surprised when he found out his mother and sister were coming out to visit him in the hospital.

"I haven't seen my mom and sister in nine years," he said. "It was a real blessing to have them come out, and I'm very thankful the
Army brought them here."

Geren later visited the physical therapy section of the medical center to observe the treatment soldiers receive after sustaining an injury.

"This is an important area for us as paratroopers," said Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg. "We have many people of various walks of life working to help the soldiers recover quickly from their injuries. We have come a long way, in the
Army, as far as physical therapy."

"I am humbled by the dedication of the soldiers from Fort Bragg," Geren said. "Many of the soldiers here have been deployed repeatedly, and they continue to work hard to bring the fight to the
terrorists so we don't have to fight them here at home."

Geren also participated in a Town Hall meeting today with family members and soldiers and took a windshield tour of the installation, where he visited the Ardennes Neighborhood, Model Home and Community Center.

He is scheduled to attend the 82nd Airborne Division Memorial Ceremony tomorrow to honor the memory of the more than 5,000 82nd Airborne Division Soldiers who gave their lives in defense of the nation since the founding of the division in 1917.

(Army Spc. Aaron L. Rosencrans is assigned to 27th Public Affairs Detachment, Fort Bragg, N.C.)

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