Operation Hero Miles

When Kendra was born back in 1988, we had to be airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center for some much needed medical intervention.  We were stationed in Germany at the time of her birth, so there were some quick steps to take before we could come back to D.C. 

Upon arriving at Walter Reed, she was quickly set up in the NICU and Paul and I were dispatched to the Military Guest House.  We were able to stay there for a few days, but when it became apparent that Kendra would be at Walter Reed for longer than I expected, we were relocated to the local Ronald McDonald House.  This fabulous organization allows families to stay close to their children while the children are being treated at medical facilities away from their home towns.

Sometime in the late 90's, the military community began putting together a similar program for military families that have members receiving medical care at larger Military Medical Centers.  These houses are called Fisher House and are located through out the globe at each major military medical center.  These places allow families to stay at low or no cost while accompanying a member receiving medical care.

Now the Fisher houses have teamed up with a lot of airlines to implement a program called "Operation Hero Miles".   This program allows people to donate their frequent flyer miles to a pool that can be used by a family member to be at the bedside of their injured service member. Because injuries happen so quickly and the need to be there is so urgent, most families pay exorbitant (over $1000.00) prices for next day tickets. When you donate your frequent flyer miles, families can save money on their travel cost to be with the service member as he/she goes through medical treatments.

To find out more about the program and how you can be involved, please check out their website at http://www.heromiles.org/

To learn more about the Fisher house and how you can be involved, please check out their website at http://www.fisherhouse.org

It's one more way that we can help and support our military members.  Thanks!