CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–December 20, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today thanked schoolchildren across Illinois for their overwhelming response to the Illinois Heroes holiday card drive. The annual drive helps ensure a brighter holiday season for wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany.
“I salute every child in Illinois who made a holiday card to show their appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” said Governor Quinn. “While they serve our country overseas, a little piece of home helps our servicemembers enjoy the holidays even while they are away from their families.”
Governor Quinn left Chicago today for his seventh trip to visit troops and hand-deliver the cards to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Landstuhl is often the first stop on a long road home for many soldiers wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan. As the largest American hospital outside of the United States, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center has 162 beds. The facility sees an average of six admissions daily, 37,000 outpatient visits monthly, 510 operations monthly and three births daily.
Chicago-based United Airlines is continuing its efforts to support our troops by donating transportation of the cards to Germany.
“United Airlines is proud to offer our help in delivering this important cargo filled with holiday wishes from the school children of Illinois to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces serving abroad,” said Scott Dolan, United Airlines senior vice president, airport operations and cargo.
Governor Quinn is also encouraging Illinois residents to support our Veterans year-round by participating in Operation Hero Miles, a program that benefits servicemembers who were injured in Iraq or Afghanistan. Through the program, people can donate unused frequent fly miles to allow military families to visit their loved ones recovering in military hospitals around the world.
For more information about how to help our Veterans, servicemembers and their families, please visit OperationHomeFront.org.
Source: illinois.gov
