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Family members provide moral support for the members of the Air Force sitting volleyball team during match May 18, 2011, at the 2011 Warrior Games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Duncan Wood)
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Hero Miles brings families to healing Warrior Games
Posted 5/23/2011
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by Lt. Col. Richard Williamson
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
5/23/2011 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- For wounded or injured servicemembers, family support is a vital lifeline during the initial and long-term recovery process that helps them find a new "normal" in their life.
The Hero Miles program provides family members the commercial airline flights to the injured service member in the hospital or to rehabilitation programs through donated frequent flyer airline miles.
During the Warrior Games here, May 16-20, 20 Air Force family members were able to come to the training and competition and support their wounded or injured Airman through the Defense Department program administered by the Fisher House Foundation.
For one family from Ohio that used Hero Miles to get here, the interaction between the two boys and their dad as he competed in wheelchair basketball was electric. The boys were on their feet cheering as their dad scored a basket and looked right at his sons as if to say "how was that?" The huge smiles on the boys' faces gave the injured Airman a big boost as he sped down the court to defend against the Navy team.
"Since my husband was injured, nothing has worked to help him overcome his injuries or post traumatic stress from combat wounds," said the non-commissioned officer's spouse. "The Warrior Games have had the most positive effect on him since being injured. He is with people that have the same or similar injuries and has been able to open up about what he is going through," she said. "My husband is part of the Air Force again and that is awesome."
The 2005 Defense Authorization Act created Operation Hero Miles. Currently, Air Tran, Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, United - Continental and US Airways participate in the program. Participants in the frequent flyer miles programs may donate their miles to Hero Miles through the airline's frequent flyer program. Fisher House has information on their Hero Miles web site with information about the process (http://www.fisherhouse.org/programs/hero-miles).
One Airman's mom from central California and his aunt were excited to be able to watch their son compete in the games. "Although he has been working out twice a day," the mom said, "he has not had a clear goal for where he wanted to go. I saw that change today as he ran a race on the track and saw us cheering him on. He ran harder." Having his family at the games not only helped the Airman run harder but apparently helped him connect the competition, the camaraderie with other Airmen and the family support to a clearer vision of where he wants to go. "Since starting the games, my son is goal driven," said the mom. "He has improved his health and is inspired to start running again," added the aunt.
The process for a family member to use Hero Miles usually begins when a caseworker in military or Veterans Administration medical facilities refers a family member to apply for a flight to join their injured or wounded Airman. The Hero Miles administrator coordinates the request from a servicemember or their families with the caseworker and makes the airline reservations.
"To date, Hero Miles has provided more than 25,000 airline tickets to servicemembers and their families," said Tish Stropes, Hero Miles Director at Fisher House Foundation. "The generosity of the American people through their donation of miles has been a true blessing. Our goal at the Hero Miles program is to remove the burden of worry from families about how they will get to the bedside or rehabilitation center of their loved one."
The 2011 Warrior Games is bringing service men and women together with the same kinds of wounds, injuries, and medical conditions. More than 300 servicemembers or their families are here through the use of Hero Miles. "Family support is the best medicine," said Stropes. "Hero Miles makes it possible for the wounded and injured service member to get that vital family support."
For one Airman here at the Warrior Games, his grandparents from Pennsylvania would not be able to be here to support him if it were not for Hero Miles. "We are retired and living on a fixed income," the grandmother said. The Airman's grandfather was planning to come to the Warrior Games to support his grandson - but - the grandmother would not be able to make the trip from the east coast. "Hero Miles made it possible for us to both be here. We hope that our being here reinforces our love for him," the grandfather said. This was quickly reinforced by the sergeant who said, "It means a lot to me that they are both able to be here and I know they are being well taken care of while they support me."
More information on the Hero Miles Program is available at The Fisher House Foundation program site http://www.fisherhouse.org/programs/hero-miles.
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