Chicago - On Sunday, Governor Pat Quinn joined United Airlines to encourage people throughout Illinois to support Operation Hero Miles, a program that benefits servicemembers who were injured overseas.

Through the program, people can donate their frequent flyer miles and provide military families with a chance to visit their loved ones recovering in military hospitals around the world.

“Operation Hero Miles is an extremely special program that gives military families the chance to be together – which is especially important during the holiday season,” Governor Quinn said. “I encourage everyone in Illinois to celebrate the holidays by donating unused frequent flyer miles to our Wounded Warriors and their loved ones.”

Organized by the Fisher House Foundation, Operation Hero Miles provides airline tickets to military families for travel related to a servicemember’s medical condition. Servicemembers on medical leave for treatment of an injury can also request a ticket to travel home. To date, the Operation Hero Miles program has issued more than 25,000 donated tickets, saving servicemembers and their families nearly $40 million. To donate airline miles, visit www.fisherhouse.org