 Saying Thanks
I am delighted to, once again, contribute to Celebrated Living’s special Art of Giving issue. I’d like to devote my column to a group of people whose service and sacrifice make possible some of the gifts we hold most dear. I’m talking about the men and women of the United States military. As we revel in the companionship of friends and family, hundreds of thousands of members of the U.S. Armed Forces are separated from their homes and loved ones. Fortunately, our friends at the United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO) are reminding our troops daily that they have not been forgotten. At American Airlines, we are happy to support the USO’s efforts.
AA’s tie to the military goes back several generations. Throughout our long history, countless AA careers have been preceded by military service — and in the past few years, thousands of AAers in the Reserves or National Guard have been called to active duty. I am proud of the spirit of patriotism that has always helped define American Airlines. But of course, patriotism — and supporting the troops — is not just about what you say or feel. It’s about what you do.
To the USO, supporting the troops is a lot more than a catchphrase. Since before World War II, the USO has let our men and women in uniform know how much the American people appreciate them. The USO is a private, nonprofit organization that extends a touch of home to the military through its more than 130 USO centers around the world. It provides a variety of services, including orientation programs, family events, travel assistance, free Internet and e-mail access, and recreation services. And as you probably know, USO celebrity entertainment tours bring volunteer celebrities to entertain and lift the morale of the troops far from home.
By supporting the USO, we have an opportunity to show our appreciation and express our gratitude, in a tangible way, to the men and women who defend us. What’s more, AA and the USO are collaborating to enlist the support of AAdvantage members in this worthy cause. If you are a member of our AAdvantage travel awards program, I hope you will consider sponsoring an Operation USO Care Package for our service members deployed overseas.
Here’s how it works. With a donation of $25, AAdvantage members can sponsor a USO Care Package. Care packages can contain prepaid international phone cards, snacks, sunscreen, disposable cameras, toiletries, compact discs, and other items requested by service men and women. As a sponsor, you can also include a message thanking the service member personally for his or her service and sacrifices. The USO Care Package is a great way to encourage our troops, while supporting them in a very tangible way. And to thank you for your support, your AAdvantage account will be credited with 125 miles for every Operation USO Care Package you sponsor.
All of us at American Airlines are grateful to you for giving us the chance to be part of such a worthwhile endeavor. We appreciate your business and will continue working hard to deserve it in the years to come. In the meantime, if you would like to participate in or learn more about Operation USO Care Package, please visit www.aa.com or www.uso.org.
On behalf of everyone at American Airlines, thank you for
flying with us today.
Gerard J. Arpey
Chairman and CEO American Airlines
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