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FORT WORTH, Texas — Observed annually on Aug. 7, National Purple Heart Day honors U.S. service members who were wounded or killed in combat. In recognition of their sacrifice, American Airlines is inviting AAdvantage® members to donate miles through the airline’s Miles for Heroes program, which supports organizations serving veterans, active-duty military members and their families.
For decades, American has supported the military community through nonprofit partnerships, volunteer efforts and special mission flights that make a meaningful impact for current and former service members and their families.
Through the Miles for Heroes program, AAdvantage® members can donate miles to support organizations, including the Gary Sinise Foundation, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the Medal of Honor Foundation, to help with their missions to support those in the military community.
“Supporting those who serve our country is incredibly important to American Airlines, and it’s especially meaningful to me as a U.S. Army veteran,” said American’s Manager of Military and Veterans Initiatives Randy Stillinger. “Through strong partnerships and the generosity of AAdvantage® members who donate their miles, we’re able to make many of these special missions possible — connecting veterans, service members and their families with opportunities that recognize their sacrifices. It’s a powerful reflection of the gratitude and respect our team has for the military community.”
Powered by the generosity of AAdvantage® members and the miles they donate, these organizations help bring meaningful programs for the military community to life:
- Gary Sinise Foundation — The Gary Sinise Foundation honors active-duty military members, veterans, first responders and their families through programs that educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. American partners with the Gary Sinise Foundation on Snowball Express, an annual event that brings together the families of fallen military members and first responders. Last year, more than 1,000 American team members helped transport nearly 3,000 participants to Walt Disney World for Snowball Express.
- Elizabeth Dole Foundation — The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is dedicated to strengthening and empowering military caregivers and their families by raising public awareness, driving research, championing policy and leading collaborations that make a significant impact on their lives. American is proud to serve as the official airline partner of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, working together to fly military and veteran caregivers across the country.
- Medal of Honor Foundation — The Medal of Honor Foundation supports the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and helps preserve the legacy of Medal of Honor recipients. American honors their service through Flagship Valor, a specially themed Airbus A321 aircraft that serves as a flying tribute to recipients and all who have served in the U.S. military.
By donating miles, AAdvantage® members can honor those who have served and help make these impactful programs possible.
Donating is simple. AAdvantage® members can log in to their account, navigate to the Donate page and select the number of AAdvantage® miles they wish to contribute.* Members can select as few as 1,000 miles to help support those who need it most.
Not an AAdvantage® member? Joining is easy and free at aa.com/aadvantage.
*Minimum donation is 1,000 miles, except for members who have an available balance of less than 1,000 miles, who may donate their entire balance. Donations are not tax deductible. Processing can take up to 48 hours. American Airlines reserves the right to determine the final use of miles within the guidelines of the Miles for Social Good, Miles for Global Health and Well-Being, Miles for Heroes and Miles for Our Planet programs.
About American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL)
American Airlines is a premium global airline connecting more of the U.S. to the world. With roots tracing back to an air mail carrier in the Midwestern United States in 1926, American now operates more than 6,000 daily flights to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries and serves more than 200 million customers annually. Powered by a proud and talented team of 130,000 aviation professionals, American’s team lives out the airline’s purpose of caring for people on life’s journey every day.
The world’s largest airline proudly celebrates its centennial year in 2026, reaching a milestone that reflects a century of innovation and the Forever ForwardSM spirit that changed the industry and the world. American introduced the first scheduled air cargo service, the first airport lounge and the first airline loyalty program and continues to reinvent the customer experience today. The airline is also a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe.
Get the latest about American at news.aa.com and @AmericanAir.