Wounded Troops, Families Receive Free Airline Tickets

Through the good will and generosity of thousands of people with unused frequent flier miles and U.S. airline carriers, the Fisher House Foundation has distributed nearly 3,000 free airline tickets to war-wounded service members and their families since the giveaway program started in January 2004. This represents 100 million frequent flier miles. About 1,000 tickets already have been given away this year. Eligibility is twofold: (1) wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan with an approved convalescent leave may be given a free airline ticket for a trip from the military or Veterans Affairs medical center where they are being treated to their home and return unless they are eligible for government-funded airfare; and (2) qualifying members may be given free round-trip tickets to allow their families or close friends to visit them while they are being treated at the medical center.