Boot Campaign and Southwest Airlines Surprise Purple Heart Recipient and Retired Army Specialist Jeremy Smith with Jack Ingram and Granger Smith Concerts at 35,000 Feet

DALLAS, July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Retired Army Specialist Jeremy Smith, a recipient of the Purple Heart who was injured in Afghanistan, was given a surprise concert by country stars Jack Ingram and Granger Smith at 35,000 feet. The in-flight concert was made possible by The Boot Campaign, a military non-profit that donates to soldiers healing from a variety of physical and emotional combat wounds, and Southwest Airlines, who teamed up to surprise Jeremy and honor him for his sacrifice to the country.

Jeremy and his fiancee Sarah Light - along with 137 fellow SWA customers - were delighted by not one, but two in flight concerts while en route on two flights from Austin to Dallas. Country artist and native Texan Granger Smith performed on the first flight and Jack Ingram - also from the Lone Star state - performed on the second.

Check out the concert here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwkMBFh9c_E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Upon arrival to Dallas Love Field (DAL), the flight was welcomed with a special water cannon salute. Jeremy and Sarah were escorted off the plane by Jack, where they were met by Southwest Airlines employees, the Boot Campaign's Boot Girls, General Leroy Sisco of the Boot Campaign's charity partner Military Warriors Support Foundation, Granger Smith, and a host of cheering Americans. There, they were presented with a mortgage-free home in Fort Worth, TX, made possible by the Boot Campaign Home Giveaway Program.

Jeremy and Sarah were then escorted to the Southwest Airlines Headquarters, where both Granger Smith and Jack Ingram performed an exclusive concert for Southwest employees on behalf of the Boot Campaign.  

"My in-flight concert experience with the Boot Campaign, Southwest Airlines and my new friends, Jeremy & Sarah is something I will never forget. To be able to show my support for our Military veterans in such an enjoyable way is something I am grateful for. And I have always been just a little jealous of the flight attendants that get to sing through the plane's phone public address system! Check!!!" said Ingram.

Jeremy Smith was injured in 2008 in an ambush in Afghanistan and is still undergoing surgeries to repair the devastating and long-term damage. The Boot Campaign works to sell military issue combat boots to Americans, with proceeds used to raise awareness and funds for returning soldiers like Jeremy.

Read Boot Girl Myra's account of the day: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/video/we%E2%80%99ve-got-our-boots-35000-feet

Find out how you can get your Boots on the ground by visiting:
www.bootcampaign.com

Media contact: Erin Cook or O'Ryan McKinney, Jensen Communications, 626-585-9575 or [email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE The Boot Campaign