Fisher House Distributes Airline Tickets Published Oct. 19, 2005 By Rudi Williams American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Wounded servicemembers and their families can get a free ticket home through "Operation Hero Miles."The Fisher House organization uses more than a million frequent flyer miles per week to distribute free round-trip airline tickets to war-wounded servicemembers -- as well as their family members -- being treated in military and Veterans Affairs medical facilities across the country.To date, the program has distributed more than 4,000 tickets, using more than 150 million frequent flyer miles, said Jim Weiskopf, a Fisher House Foundation spokesman. He said the foundation's general fundraising, including money received from the Combined Federal Campaign, pays airport security fees, taxes and administrative fees on the tickets so there is no charge to the families. Fisher House, a nonprofit organization that builds homes near and on the grounds of large military and Veterans Affairs medical facilities, receives millions of frequent flyer miles through "Operation Hero Miles." The program took off in 2004 after U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Maryland, convinced U.S. airlines to provide free round-trip airline tickets for servicemembers arriving from Iraq and Afghanistan for rest-and-recuperation leave. The congressman challenged the airlines to start the program because he was concerned about placing a financial burden on servicemembers. The program has been expanded to wounded servicemembers being treated at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country. Those who have approved convalescent leave may be given a free round-trip airline ticket to visit loved ones if they're not eligible for government-funded airfare. Family members are also eligible for the free tickets. The unused frequent flyer miles come from private and corporate donations. The tickets are distributed through the Fisher House Foundation to recuperating servicemembers who must be near a hospital for continuing treatment. Families visiting loved ones in hospitals can stay in Fisher House homes at no cost. Requests for tickets must originate from a servicemember and be forwarded to Fisher House by a hospital social work staff member, family assistance center or service casualty office. "All we want to know is the reason for the hospitalization, and we don't make any distinction whether it was combat related, training accident or sports injury if they're hospitalized due to service in Iraq or Afghanistan," Mr. Weiskopf said. For more information, visit www.fisherhouse.org.