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Frequent flier miles help families of injured

Chicago Sun-Times
By CHERYL L. REED Staff Reporter
04.13.06

When a suicide bomber left Marine Cpl. Ty Ziegel near dead, it wasn't the military who flew his parents, brother and fiancee to the military hospital in Texas but a little-known charity called Fisher House.

Today United Airlines and its customers are donating 123 million frequent flier miles to Fisher House and its Hero Miles program, which has provided more than 5,000 round-trip tickets to the families of injured troops. The donation includes 15 million from United and 108 million from its customers' Mileage Plus Program. The military usually only provides airfare for parents of injured troops, not extended family members.

'Let's thank our wounded heroes'

More then 20 military families in Illinois -- including the Ziegels of Downstate Metamora, -- have benefitted from the program. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is asking others to donate their frequent flier miles during the religious holidays of Easter and Passover. "As we gather our families to celebrate this joyous time, let's thank our wounded heroes for their service by giving them the chance to reunite with their families," Quinn said.

Besides providing plane tickets, Fisher House provides homes for families of patients receiving treatment at 33 major military and VA medical centers.

Since Ty Ziegel, 23, was severely injured in Iraq, the nonprofit has housed his mother, Becky Ziegel, and his fiancee, Renee Kline, at a house near the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

'A way to support our troops'

Ty Ziegel remains at Brooke, where he has had more than 30 surgeries. When Ty Ziegel's truck was bombed in Iraq, he suffered extensive injuries to his face and arms, including third-degree burns. His left hand and three fingers on his right hand were amputated.

Fisher House and its Hero Miles have paid for more than a dozen flights of Ty Ziegel's family members. His father, a heavy equipment operator, has also been flown to Texas several times.

"Having family around is good for these guys when they are recovering," said Jeff Ziegel, Ty's father. "They've made sure that the family is there. If people are looking for a way to support our troops, this one really does it."

Airline tickets are available through Hero Miles for families of military or Department of Defense civilian employees who are injured as a result of their military service anywhere in the world.

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