Southwest Airlines Salutes Military Heroes From Coast to Coast

DALLAS, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To honor its Employees and Customers who are currently serving or have served in the armed forces, Southwest Airlines is celebrating "Military Heroes Month," this month to show support for veterans and service members across the nation. Working with multiple nonprofit organizations throughout November, the airline is saying thank you by giving back and helping to raise money to support military service members and their families.

"Supporting the men and women of the military is important to us all year long, but by enhancing our efforts in November, we are highlighting our dedication to these heroes," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest's Chief Operating Officer.  "This is just one way we say thank you for their service and for preserving our freedoms."

Activities in November:

Nov. 1 - Congressional Gold Medal Celebration, Washington, D.C.

Southwest Airlines is the official commercial airline of the Honor Flight Network and has provided 380 World War II Japanese-American Veterans transportation to Washington, D.C., to be honored with a Congressional Gold Medal for their contribution to our country during WWII.  Southwest's Vice President of Governmental Affairs Karen Lewis addressed the assembly and added Southwest's thanks for their service.

Nov. 5 - 11 – We Are Thankful, Nationwide

Throughout the week leading up to Veterans Day, Southwest will provide more than 35,000  "We LUV Our Troops" postcards in all Southwest airports nationwide for Customers and Employees to share their well-wishes and greetings to deployed U.S. Military Troops.  The "We Are Thankful" organization will send these greetings to deployed U.S. Troops at no cost to our Customers.  

Nov. 5 – 11 -- The Mission Continues, St. Louis, MO

The Mission Continues is an organization committed to connecting Veteran Volunteers with non-profit organizations across the United States.  As the Official Airline of The Mission Continues, Southwest is partnering on several activities in the month of November, including a volunteer effort to pack 3,000 goodie bags for Illinois Family Shelters.

During the week leading up to Veterans Day, The Mission Continues will join Southwest volunteers to host tables at four airports (Houston Hobby, Baltimore/Washington, Denver, and Orlando) to hand out "We LUV Our Troops" postcards.

November – Texas Rangers Baseball – Faces of Freedom, Dallas

We partnered with the Texas Rangers on the Faces of Freedom contest where every month a member from each branch of the military was honored at a game. The winners received a trip for two to Washington, D.C., in honor of their service, to take place around Veterans Day.

Nov. 10 – Veterans Across America, New York

Southwest joined Veterans Across America to provide seven World War II Veteran Navajo Code Talkers and their families transportation from New Mexico to New York to be honored during a Veterans Day Parade and Navajo Code Talker Museum Opening Celebration.  

Nov. 11 – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Nationwide

To celebrate Veteran's Day and to announce our relationship with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, we are making a $1 donation for every beverage sold onboard Southwest flights on Friday, Nov. 11, up to $50,000 to this organization.  

Nov. 11 – The Carrier Classic, San Diego

On Veterans Day, Southwest is supporting the "Carrier Classic," a nationally televised college basketball game between Michigan State and the University of North Carolina, held on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson.  Southwest is providing transportation for 50 wounded Veterans to attend the event, along with Southwest Airlines Pilots volunteers.

Nov. 12 - Operation Freedom Bird, Phoenix

For 13 years, Southwest has sponsored Operation Freedom Bird trips over Veteran's Day for Vietnam veterans.  On Nov. 12, Southwest will welcome home the Operation Freedom Bird veterans in Hanger Five at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport with a ceremony and celebration.

Nov. 13 – Armed Forces Foundation, "Tweet For Our Troops," Nationwide

During the pregame and post-game show of the NFL on FOX Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints game, Southwest will promote The Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) with a fundraising tweet campaign.  For each tweet, Southwest will donate $1 to the Armed Forces Foundation, up to a maximum of $100,000.  

Nov. 23 – 26 – Home for the Holidays, San Diego

Southwest is partnering with Home for the Holidays (HFTH) to provide transportation for six Veterans and their families from their military base in San Diego to their family homes to share this special season together.  HFTH is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to bring military families together during times of need, celebration, or life-changing events. 

November – The Boot Campaign, Nationwide

Southwest has a strong relationship with The Boot Campaign, which provides an easy and tangible way for Americans to show appreciation for troops (both past and present), raise awareness of the challenges they face upon return, and donate funds to charities supporting their transition home.  In early November, The Boot Campaign will debut a photo of Southwest CEO Gary Kelly wearing his combat boots.  Visit http://www.bootcampaign.com/mission.html

About Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has a long history of supporting the men and women who fight for our Freedoms. G.I. Jobs Magazine has named Southwest Airlines one of the Top 100 Military-Friendly Employers. After 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service.  Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 73 cities in 38 states, with the addition of Atlanta beginning Feb. 12, 2012.  Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet.  To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™.  Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines