Lt. Gov. Quinn: Donate airline miles to troops

Illinois' next governor, Patrick Quinn, is a steadfast supporter of our troops. And it's not just when the cameras are on.

On Tuesday the Oak Park Democrat and current lieutenant governor held a press conference about his Operation Home Front initiative.

I disagree with Quinn on some political issues, but I back him completely on this initiative.

From an Operation Home Front press release:

Just two days before Christmas, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn joined with wounded veteran U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Mike Mendoza to urge citizens to remember our wounded heroes this holiday season.

Illinois citizens can help by donating their unused frequent flyer miles to Operation Hero Miles - a program that helps military families visit injured service members recovering in military hospitals around the world - and by purchasing Veterans Cash lottery tickets.

"I encourage everyone in the Land of Lincoln to honor those who fight for our freedom by supporting Operation Hero Miles and the Veterans Cash lottery ticket," Quinn said. "Donating unused frequent flyer miles and purchasing a lottery ticket are convenient ways for the people of Illinois to show appreciation for our heroes, like Staff Sgt. Mendoza."

Staff Sgt. Mendoza was wounded in a grenade blast in Iraq in the summer of 2006 and transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany for treatment and rehabilitation. He was later awarded the Silver Star - the third-highest award given for valor in the U.S. Armed Forces - and the Purple Heart for his selfless defense of his platoon.

After receiving treatment in Germany, Staff Sgt. Mendoza was transported to Bethesda Medical Center. Kelly Mendoza, wife of Staff Sgt. Mendoza, was able to fly to visit her husband in Bethesda, Maryland all thanks to Operation Hero Miles.

To donate airline miles so that families can visit their wounded military personnel at medical centers, please visit FisherHouse.org. Nearly 16,000 tickets have been issued through donations to Operation Heroes Miles, with an estimated savings of $21 million to military families.

Operation Hero Miles is administered by Fisher House, a not-for-profit foundation that provides a "home away from home" at little or no cost for family members of military men and women receiving medical care at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers around the world.

Through Operation Hero Miles, airline tickets are available for families of military and can only be used for travel related to a medical condition. Servicemembers being treated as a result of an injury can also request a ticket to travel home while on medical leave with permission from their doctor.

Operation Hero Miles is partnering with the following air carriers:

AirTran Airways

Alaska Airlines

American Airlines

Continental Airlines

Delta Air Lines

Frontier Airlines

Midwest Airlines

Northwest Airlines

United Airlines

US Airways

Quinn was joined by Bob Adams, Director of the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton. The shelter was awarded a $100,000 grant from Veterans Cash.

All proceeds from the sale of Veterans Cash tickets benefit the Illinois Veterans Assistance Trust Fund, created to help provide Illinois veterans with health care, treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, disability benefits and housing assistance.

Legislation to create the Illinois Veterans Health Initiative was spearheaded by Lt. Governor Quinn and signed into law in August 2005. The legislation created the Illinois Veterans Assistance Trust Fund, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

At $2 per ticket, the top prize for Veterans Cash is $20,000. The Veterans Cash lottery ticket has been on sale since February 2006 and has raised millions of dollars for the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund. Just launched last month, Coin Craze is the newest version of the Veterans Cash lottery ticket.

For more information on how to donate frequent flyer miles, purchase a Veterans Cash lottery ticket and help our military heroes, visit OperationHomefront.org.

Christmas is almost over, but every day we should remember the members of our military and the sacrifices they make to protect our freedom.

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