(Baltimore, MD) – Senator Ben Cardin
(D-MD) and
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) today announced legislation
creating a program that would allow Americans to donate hotel reward
points to
members of the Armed Forces who are traveling to receive care through
the
military health system and their families. “Hotels for Heroes” would be
an
expansion of the national “Hero Miles” program that provides free
round-trip
airfare to wounded warriors recovering at military or VA medical
centers as
well as to friends and family visiting them.
“The creation of the ‘Hotels for Heroes’ program is the
next step in providing military families with the support they need
when their
loved ones are wounded or injured,” said Senator Cardin.
“Americans are known for their generosity of
spirit and love of country and this new program will allow them to show
how
much they appreciate the sacrifices made by our military by providing
their
families with additional support during a very difficult time. It’s
really
about Americans helping other Americans who have given so much to our
nation.”
"Sometimes the love and support of family is the
best medicine to help a wounded warrior recover from his or her
injuries,”
Congressman Ruppersberger said. “We are thrilled to be able to help
these
soldiers heal with their families at their side by helping to reduce
travel
expenses. It’s one small way to show our nation’s heroes that we
appreciate
their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families.”
Flights under the “Hero Miles” program, which was created
by Congressman Ruppersberger in 2003, are made possible through
frequent flyer
mile donations made by individual airline passengers. The program
is administered by the Fisher
House, a non-profit organization that opens its homes to military
families
visiting their injured loved ones at hospitals across the country.
At the event, Fisher House announced its 25,000th ticket
issued through the “Hero Miles” program.
“Fisher House Foundation is honored to have helped over
25,000 military families get to the bedside of their loved one,” said
Cindy
Campbell, Fisher House Vice President for Community Relations and Media
Affairs. “It is the thousands of patriotic Americans who have so
willingly
donated their frequent flyer miles who make this program a
reality. Our goal is that no family will ever have to
worry about how they will be able afford that ticket. We're here for
them.”
The “Hotels for Heroes” program requires authorizing
legislation that will be introduced tomorrow by Congressman
Ruppersberger and
Senator Cardin. The bill already has bipartisan support: Senator Roger
Wicker
of Mississippi will be the Republican co-sponsor. The bill already has
bipartisan support:
Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi will be the
Republican co-sponsor.
“Families of wounded service men and women often face
difficulty trying to be with their loved one during recovery,” said
Senator
Wicker. “As Veterans Day approaches,
this is a way to help and honor those who have given of themselves to
protect
the freedoms we hold dear.”
“Hotels for
Heroes” grew out of an event hosted by the Military Child Education
Coalition
in May 2011 at the Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport. The nonprofit
works to minimize the effects of family
separation and transition on military children, who move from six to
nine times
during their K-12 school years.
“This idea was the outgrowth of an event we hosted in May
to discuss ways to improve the lives of military families, especially
children,” said Dr. Mary Keller, President and CEO of the Military
Child
Education Coalition. “It shows the power behind convening community and
business leaders in support of military-connected children and we are
proud to
be part of the conception of this program.”