Serving Those Who Have Served

[jthompson]

As the country prepares to honor our military on Veterans Day, Employees at Southwest Airlines got an early start today with a program called Operation Freedom Bird. This morning for the 12th year, Southwest Airlines sponsored a trip to Washington, D.C. for 50 Vietnam veterans.




Each year, with the assistance of the Phoenix Veterans Center, the non-profit organization Operation Freedom Bird selects the veterans who take the emotional journey to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and participate in Veterans Day activities.  Our Employees were there when they left and we will be here when they return to give them a special welcome home.  Stay tuned for more news as the Phoenix Employees at Southwest Airlines help honor those who bravely fought in Vietnam.




You can visit http://www.operationfreedombird.org  for more information on Operation Freedom Bird. 

[Bobby_Fields]

Operation Freedom Bird is actually executed with assistance from the Phoenix, Lake Havasu City, and Prescott Vet Centers. The Vet Centers have supported Operation Freedom Bird for 23 years, and well over 2,000 Vietnam Veterans have been able to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as a result. My father went on Freedom Bird last year, and I am thankful that we can send so many of our Arizona combat veterans to Washington, and then give them the WELCOME HOME they deserve!

[Ted_murphree]

Thank God for all our Veterans and thank God for thoes who help Veterans help Veterans.

[Patrick_Ziegert]

I am finishing an article I wrote about my experiences during this journey. I wish to send it to Southwest once complete and see about posting a link for others to read it if they come to this blog. Without stealing anything from myself, all I can say is that this was a pilgrimage which turned some major things around in my life. Thankfully, I will never be the same. I have also been trying to reach Jackie Thompson so I can personally thank her for doing a superb job at both ends of our flights. I mentioned her in the story, but I need to get her approval before I send it out with her name in it... Southwest Airlines with the help of other sponsors and selfless people brought together an amazing opportunity to set things right for so many veterans. I know that many are experiencing an improved quality of life because of their efforts. Many have been released from a personal prison of the past and there really are no accurate words to explain how important that is. Thank you. Thank you very much.