how Much are your Frequent Flyer Miles Really Worth? Story by Tish Stropes, Hero Miles Director Photo above courtesy of Christy Gardner
How much are your frequent flyer miles really worth? I suppose this question is a rather ambiguous one given that we all value things in our life so differently. I am asked this question at least once a week by someone looking to donate their miles to our Hero Miles program. I typically tell them that in terms of a financial value, a frequent flyer mile has no value; that is until it is used. There is sometimes a pause followed by, “So, I can’t get a tax write off?” That’s when I smile (to myself, remember I am on the phone) and say, “No, no tax write off but let me tell you about the young woman who I am booking a ticket for right now. She is the fiancé of a young service member who stepped on an IED in Afghanistan and is now at Walter Reed in the ICU. That young woman will fly tomorrow, to the bedside of the love of her life. She will still be his everything, but now his everything with added strength and the faith that will see them through. Her only job for the unforeseeable future will be to stand by the man who causes her heart to skip a beat and fills her stomach with butterflies. You see, I’ll book her airline ticket today using donated miles, those same miles that for some reason have “no value.” I don’t know about you, but to me, and I know the many people blessed by our program, those miles are priceless. Since the Hero Miles program began in 2004, over 40,000 flights have been booked, flying families to the bedside of their loved one or in other cases sending the wounded, injured or ill service member to a program where they will continue to heal. I am humbled by the generosity of our donors and partners. I am humbled that despite the hard times, people still find a way to dig a little deeper and give a little more. I recently received this thank you letter from a wounded warrior explaining the impact Hero Miles has made in her life:
Dear Tish, I just wanted to take a minute of your time to thank you so much for all of your support of the USA Warriors. I can hardly begin to explain to you what it means to have to opportunity to play hockey with the Warriors. After I got hurt I rehabbed on active duty for a year and a half then was retired and released into the VA system. The first thing they did was list all of the things I would never be able to do again. Some time later a vet dragged me to a clinic for sled hockey and I was hooked. I finally found something I could still do and something I could actually learn to excel at! I’m home now and far from the program but the Fisher Houses’ generous support allows me to still play with my battle buddies. I draw inspiration from them and motivation to keep happy and healthy. Being able to fly back to DC to stay a part of the program helps me be a better and stronger person and that is all thanks to you guys making that possible. I’m not sure where I’d be without the physical and mental rehab the Warriors provide but I know it wouldn’t be as good as it is today. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, for making me a better person. Your support means the world to me and to countless Soldiers that come through our program. Thanks again, Sincerely, Christy Gardner SGT (R) US Army So, I ask you, “How much are your frequent flyer miles really worth?” You decide.
To donate miles or find out more about our Hero Miles program, please visit: www.fisherhouse.org/programs/hero-miles THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 2 • 2013
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