Americans are using Frequent Flyer Miles to Support Our Injured Service Members and their Families

Stories as told by our Visitors

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Bobby Labonte, his team and MBNA Car 18, promoting Operation Hero Miles.

S.K. from Cockeysville, MD

Back when this program started I donated about 6000 miles to the cause and felt very good about it. Our soldiers deserve the best our nation has to offer. Our citizens should give whatever they can to their well-being.

So this morning (12/1/04) at BWI airport, after a ticketing snafu for a business trip left me at the bus stop waiting for a ride back to the parking area, I ran into a soldier and struck up a conversation with him, and found he was on his way back to Colorado using miles from the program. It was moving to see such an appreciative young soldier thanking me for donating miles. I responded to him in kind that it is all of us that should be thankful for their service.

So to the Specialist in the desert BDUs standing by the trash can this AM...Here's 15000 miles for your next trip home! It is us that are indebted to you.

M.H. from Campbell, CA

I decided to donate miles because I have a brother who is a Proud Marine and even though he was not sent to Iraq, my family knows what it is like to not have him home for the holidays. So to all those people who are serving our country my best wishes for the Holiday's, keep yourself safe and come home soon.

M.Z., on Active Duty in Germany

Recently, while referencing one of the Army's websites for some information, I stumbled upon a press release regarding Operation Hero Miles. After researching it further, I realized that I could make a contribution. As a Second Lieutenant stationed in Germany and deploying to Iraq in the near future, I can appreciate how much it means to get back home and spend time with your family and loved ones. I also know that taking care of soldiers is a leader's number one priority. Considering how small the paycheck of an average soldier is, even the most reduced airline tickets will take away a sizeable portion of a soldier's income. Being from New York, getting home is not that difficult or expensive. But not everyone is from the East Coast and flying west is never inexpensive. With the holiday season coming up, it would be all the more distressing if a soldier missed out on seeing their family simply because they could not afford to make the flight from Baltimore/Washington International.

I truly appreciate what my soldiers do on a daily basis and go out of my way to try and look out for them in even the smallest ways. I believe this program gives me the opportunity to do just that. Therefore, I would like to contribute all of the miles in my Delta SkyMiles account. These 72,000 miles should be enough for almost three round trip tickets and I know that they will make some soldiers and their loved ones very happy.

Everyone in the service greatly appreciates those who made this program possible and for taking care of the soldiers who sacrifice so much and ask for so little in return, often without so much as a thank you.

T.S. in Ballston Spa, NY

Both of my children are Navy veterans. I'm happy to help those serving our country to spend time with their loved ones.

B.G. in Birchwood, WI

I have been trying for weeks to get any information about the stateside (air travel) procedure with no results and was very happy to see the Fox news splash about this program.

I have sent several letters out to Midwest Senators and no response on why we are left to endure the cost of our sons/daughters flights to get them home for leave.

I would hope the NWA (Northwest Airlines) would reassess their position on this initiative to help our soldiers.

My son is due here around the 28th and Midwesterners are proud of our troops!

P.C. in Monument, CO

My oldest son was stationed in Qatar until the end of August. He is now back home with his wife of one year where he is stationed at Robins AFB in Georgia. I also have a young cousin who is an F16 fighter pilot stationed in Germany, who was one of the first pilots to be sent to the war zone. Both men have returned home safely. Yet I think of those soldiers, men and women, who remain over there and haven't seen family in a long time.

I am so pleased there is this program to donate my airline miles to be able to help someone get home. It's the least I can do to help those who continue to do their jobs in protecting our country. Who knows if this trip back home via this program might be the last time they see family...if sadly, they return to combat and something happens and they die. Heaven forbid, but if this ticket program helps in a family reunion, that's terrific. Thank you for implementing this for the dedicated and courageous members of our Armed Forces. I am proud of my son and cousin.

G.O. in Powhatan, VA

Having been in the military during Vietnam, I know how important it is for young men and women to be with their loved ones during the holidays. Please accept my small donation on behalf of the young men and women who give their lives for our freedom.

B.N. in LaVerne, CA

I remember back in 1968 my first holiday away from home. I was stationed in Wichita, Kansas. It was Christmas eve day and I was able to catch a military hop to New Jersey. I started hitch hiking to Massachusetts. After an hour in the cold, freezing from head to toe, I was picked up by a middle aged man. He asked me where I was going? He stated that he was headed in that direction. After an hour or so, I ask him where he was headed and what would be good place for me to resume my hitch hiking. He told me he had plenty of time and would take me home!! I did not know what to say.

When he got me to my home I asked him to come in, he stated he really needed to start to head back and for me to go enjoy the holiday. I thanked him and thanked him. As he drove off I realized I did not get his name. This kind man made sure an eighteen year old kid in the service got home for the holiday. Maybe it was Santa Claus, all I know is I will always be thankful for his kindness. I hope the tickets I have donated provide a GI the opportunity for the best holiday ever.

T.B in Vila Park, CA

As a former Officer in the Army Reserve, there are many reasons why I want to help our troops, and why I am so grateful to them for what they endure for my safety and the safety of my family. But nothing I would say that expresses my feelings more that the following story......

The Soldier Outside my Door

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep
in perfect contentment, or so it would seem.
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
to the window that danced with a warm fire's light
then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night"

"Its my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas of 'Gram I always remember."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red white and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home,
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,

I can carry the weight of killing another
or lay down my life with my sisters and brothers
who stand at the front against any and all,
To insure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
to know you remember we fought and we bled
is payment enough, and with that we will trust.
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

~Author Unknown

D.M in Logan, AL

I come from a military family with my father serving 30 years in the Army and three uncles that also served over 25 years each. I wake up every day thankful for each of our sons and daughters sacrificing his/her life to protect me and my grandchildren. I pray for their safety and owe my freedom to each of them. We do not know when another attack on our own USA soil might happen. We do not know when another soldier's life will be lost. We do not know when another body will be maimed for life. But we do know that we are Americans and we stand UNITED. Not all can go into combat to keep us free but we all can fight for our freedom by letting our soldiers know how much we appreciate their sacrifice. I thank each and every one every day and I pray to our holy Father to watch over each one and bring our soldiers home safely when our job is done.

K.G. in Harvest, AL

I gave all the miles I had and am sorry there weren't more. I visit this site frequently because it is a thrill to see how others are willing to show their appreciation to all the men and women fighting for our freedom. God Bless all of them!!

M.P. in Moncks Corner, SC

My husband is an Army National Guard Soldier that spent Thanksgiving and Christmas last year in Afghanistan. One of the most difficult things is to explain to children why the men and women are not home for the holidays. I hope that my minute donation will in some way help a soldier spend time with their families whether it is for much deserved R&R or for a family emergency. God bless the soldiers for what they do each and every day and may our leaders continue to let God guide them.

D.N. in Sacramento, CA

My sister is in the Army Reserves, after 12 years of active duty and I know first hand it can be a struggle financially to get home on leave, let alone the holidays. And I know what wonderful joy it is to have our military service men & women home with family. I was looking for a way to help out for the holidays and this is perfect. In fact I donated the 11,000 miles I gathered traveling to Frankfurt Germany to bring my nephew from the states to my sister stationed in Hanau, Germany in Oct 2001. This is a great great program.

E.L. in Fremont, CA

I've been saving these miles for 3 years to someday take a trip with my wife. After hearing about this program on the show "On the Record," I can't think of a better way to spend these miles than on our heroic troops and their family's. I would like to greatly thank our troops for their great sacrifice. God bless them.

T.D. in Fort Campbell, KY

I am currently a commander in Iraq assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT). Unfortunately, none of my soldiers were able to take advantage of the offer but I would still like to express my gratitude for those that are donating their miles. It is truly inspiring for me to see the support displayed for the troops by fellow Americans. Most of the soldiers work long hard, hard hours in the heat, cold, rain, and sandstorms away from their families. It is great to see people all across our great nation providing a helping hand to the soldiers when they return to our great nation to see their loved ones.

M.T. in Goodlettsville, TN

I have a daughter in the Army and a son in the Marines, so this effort is very personal to me. I have called Northwest Airlines complaining to them because they are not on board with this. The agent tried to tell me that this was a very bad idea because the troops think they will be getting tickets and when they get here, they are turned down because there aren't any available. They also told me that they only donate miles to the organization that helps children with cancer. They also told me that the military is now reimbursing the troops for the domestic flights.

Now I see on the website that this funding is not yet available, however, I did not know that at the time of the conversation. Perhaps these excuses could be addressed the next time Fox News covers this so that people will have the facts on how Northwest is handling this. They are my miles. I ought to be able to donate them if I want to!

God bless you for doing this, and God Bless America!!!

Y.A. in Papillion, NE

I am active duty Air Force and my husband is active duty Army, and was sent to IRAQ in September. I was 8 months pregnant when he left. Our daughter was born on October 1, 2003. My husband has not seen her since... I did get word that he might be able to come home to see her sometime in December. I appreciate all those who have donated their miles for people like my husband to use. Hopefully he gets an opportunity to come home and see his daughter for the first time. Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!

B.M. in Wetumpka, AL

As a Navy vet, I appreciate all the young men and women in our armed forces. I know how they feel when they have the chance to come home and visit family and friends. My son is a member of our National Guard and has been to Iraq twice. He has come home uninjured and has expressed to me how fortunate he feels to be an American. I will continue to support our troops and hope everyone will help where ever they can.

T.B. in Springfield, VA

This is an amazing opportunity for everyone to participate in saying thank you to our men and women in uniform. Once upon a time as a young soldier with a family stationed in Germany, getting home to see family and friends was almost impossible. It was easy to get to the East Coast via MAC flights, but then due to the uncertain arrival and departure times, buying advance purchase fares were next to impossible and the alternative was just to expensive.

M.M. in Gilbert, AZ

I am a recently retired Army officer with 37+ years of service to our great country. I served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and know the price our military is making. I have many friends still serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. I am very proud to donate all my frequent flyers miles to this GREAT CAUSE.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS FOR WHAT THEY DO.

E.G. in Lawton, OK

This is a note to tell the American People Thank You for doing this for the soldiers. You are such wonderful people that have given to these Men and Woman of our Armed Forces. My husband should be coming home for his 2 week R&R and we are so excited. It has been 9 months and We are ready to spend this time with him. My children and I want to tell you all Thank you for your support.

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