8th District Congressman and Former Army Captain Joined Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland to Tout a Program that Provides Troops Free Frequent Flyer Miles

(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th district) joined Maryland Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger to call on American families and other members of Congress to support Operation Hero Miles. This program provides a way for people to donate their frequent flyer miles to servicemen and women returning on leave. It also gives the family members of wounded soldiers the opportunity to visit their loved ones at military hospitals all over the country. The program was started by Congressman Ruppersberger, and Congressman Murphy joined him today to commend the program and urge others to participate. This Memorial Day Weekend, major airlines have agreed to match mileage donations.

“It’s Memorial Day and we need to honor our veterans, including those currently serving. Operation Hero Miles is a way to pay tribute to soldiers and their families by making it just a little bit easier for them to see their loved ones,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “I hope people go to heromiles.org and see the see the tremendous difference they are making. A small act of generosity can mean the world to the families of those who risk their lives to protect us and this weekend the major airlines are going to match all donations.”

“This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of brave Americans. I want to thank Congressman Ruppersberger for his leadership on behalf of our troops and their families,” added Murphy.

Major Airlines Agree to Match Mileage Donations – Go to www.HeroMiles.org Today.

Operation Hero Miles Highlights

• Delta Airlines kicks off Operation Hero Miles with a donation of 10 million miles, enough for 400 flights.
• Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger's office donates 67,000 miles to our troops. Congressman Allen Boyd donates 50,000 miles. Many more Representatives from both parties help to promote Hero Miles through links from their web sites.
• AirTran Airways has donated 8,000 flight credits to Operation Hero Miles, enough for 500 round trip tickets, and plans to match every donation up to 500 credits.
• Alaska Airlines and Bank of America will match every 5000 donated Alaska Airlines miles with an additional 1000 miles each.
• American Airlines has donated 10 million miles to Operation Hero Miles, enough for 400 flights.
• Continental Airlines has donated 5 million miles to Operation Hero Miles, enough for 200 flights.
• Frontier Airlines has donated 1.5 million miles to Operation Hero Miles, enough for 100 flights.
• Midwest Airlines has donated 2 million miles to Operation Hero Miles, enough for 133 flights.
• Pan Am and Boston-Maine Airways offers free air transportation to military personnel on leave.
• Southwest Airlines has donated 20 ticket vouchers to the USO.
• United Airlines has donated 15 million miles to Operation Hero Miles, enough for 600 flights.
• US Airways has donated 10 million miles to Operation Hero Miles, enough for 500 flights.
• Anheuser-Busch has donated 680 flights to Operation Hero Miles.
• Over 540 million miles have been donated to Operation Hero Miles by the airlines and travellers throughout the USA and around the world, enough for over 22,600 flights.

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For Immediate Release, May 25, 2007
Contact: Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276