Barrow Invites Soldiers to Presidential Inauguration - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports

U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) invited 10 wounded soldiers from the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta to the Presidential Inauguration.  Partnering with the Fisher House Foundation and the Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF), these soldiers will receive free airfare and hotel accommodations in Washington to attend the ceremonies.  In addition to providing these soldiers with tickets to the inaugural ceremonies, Congressman Barrow's office held a lottery for 12th District residents interested in attending the events.  Nearly 3,000 requests were submitted for tickets.

"We owe so much to our service men and women, and I'm honored to have these warriors join us in our nation's capital for this historic ceremony," said Congressman Barrow.  "The inauguration of the President is a time-honored tradition, and thanks to organizations like the Fisher House and Yellow Ribbon Fund, these warriors will get to experience all that Washington has to offer during their stay.  I look forward to visiting with them during their stay."

"Our Hero Miles program is very special, it allows Americans to donate their miles to support our wounded warriors and their families.  We are pleased to be able to provide these airline tickets to honor their service so that they may come to our nation's capital to witness this historic event.  When they need it most, our military families will be able to count on not only our Fisher Houses but also our Hero Miles program to help them in their time of need."  Ken Fisher, CEO, Fisher House Foundation. 

"Thanks to our supporters, this is what the Yellow Ribbon Fund does – we show America's injured service members, in practical ways, how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice," says Mark Robbins, the Yellow Ribbon Fund's executive director.

The Fisher House's "Hero Miles Program" donated the airfare for each soldier and/or their family member, while the YRF donated the hotel accommodations during their stay.  Each year, Congressman Barrow donates the miles he accrued through Congressional travel to the "Hero Miles Program."  In December 2012, he donated more than 79,000 miles to the program.  Click here to read more.