Ruppersberger Honored for Service to Wounded Warriors

Ruppersberger Honored for Service to Wounded Warriors

06.05.13

(Washington, DC) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger today received the “Patriot Award” from the Fisher House Foundation for exceptional support of military service men and women and their families. Congressman Ruppersberger was nominated and selected for his creation of two national programs that help defray travel costs for wounded warriors and their families around the world.

 

In one of his first acts in Washington in 2003, Congressman Ruppersberger created the national “Hero Miles” program to enable patriotic Americans to donate their frequent flyer miles to wounded warriors recovering at military or VA medical centers as well as to friends and family visiting them. Last year, he successfully authored legislation expanding the program to enable Americans to also donate their hotel reward points to military families. Both the “Hero Miles” and “Hotels for Heroes” programs are administered by Fisher House, a non-profit organization that opens its homes to military families visiting their injured loved ones at hospitals across the country.

 

“I am humbled by this award,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “The credit belongs to those Americans who are donating their miles and points to help soldiers heal with their families at their side by helping to reduce travel expenses. Sometimes the love and support of family is the best medicine to help a wounded warrior recover from his or her injuries. It’s one small way to show our nation’s heroes that we appreciate their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families.”

 

“It is our honor to present this award to Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger,” said Kenneth Fisher, CEO of the Fisher House Foundation. “He has been a steadfast supporter of our men and women in uniform and his support of the Hero Miles program has been critical in our success.   This program has provided nearly 40,000 free airline tickets, saving families over $62 million over the years.   We are grateful for Congressman Ruppersberger’s undying devotion to our nation and to our military, veterans and their families.”

 

On average, Fisher House issues 1,000 free plane tickets to troops and their families a month. Since it launched last year, Hotels for Heroes has provided military families more than 1,700 nights in participating hotels at a savings of $275,000.