American flies wounded vets to Vegas weekend

In celebration of Veterans Day, American Airlines, the USO and The Sands Foundation, the charitable arm of Las Vegas Sands Corp., once again honored veterans and active service members with a weekend of relaxation, entertainment, sightseeing, and educational seminars.
As part of the celebration, American Airlines unveiled the Flagship Independence, the latest addition to its yellow-ribbon fleet, with a ceremony at JFK International Airport (JFK). The observance also was a send-off party for the Boeing 767 aircraft as it departed with approximately 150 wounded warriors and their guests for a weekend in Las Vegas.
American Airlines and The Sands Foundation are presenting sponsors of the “Tribute to the Troops 2010 Las Vegas,” a weekend of events and activities for wounded warriors and their guests from around the country. The group includes service members from Fort Benning in Columbus, GA; Bethesda Navy Hospital; Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; and veterans from the New York City area.
“All of us at American Airlines are proud to honor the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedom,” said Art Torno, American’s vice president – New York. “It is a privilege to have them here with us for the rollout of our newest yellow-ribbon aircraft, and to provide flights for them from New York for this weekend in Las Vegas. These men and women deserve our utmost gratitude and respect.”
Upon arriving in Las Vegas, the group attended the grand opening of USO Las Vegas, a new center at McCarran International Airport, followed by a welcome ceremony at The Venetian, with a “walk of gratitude.” Country music singer/songwriter Clint Black then performed a private concert at The Venetian.
Attendees were special guests for a performance by Blue Man Group at The Venetian to benefit ThanksUSA, a nonprofit organization that provides college, technical and vocational school scholarships to children and spouses of service members.
There was also a concert by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, presented by American Airlines and the Huey 091 Foundation. A portion of concert proceeds will benefit Air Compassion for Veterans, a nonprofit program that provides air transportation to active military, veterans and their immediate family to receive medical, counseling and diverse rehabilitation services. Terry Fator, ventriloquist and “America’s Got Talent” winner, concluded the weekend with a performance.
The rollout of Flagship Independence brings to six the number of American and American Eagle aircraft that proudly sport iconic yellow-ribbon decals and the slogan, “In support of all who serve,” on their fuselages, a visual expression of the airlines’ support for the nation’s armed forces.
American Airlines has long-standing ties to the nation’s armed forces. With more than 60 percent of American’s pilots and 10 percent of all American and American Eagle Airlines employees serving as active military or veterans, the company places a strong emphasis on its military and veterans’ initiatives. American supports members of the military, veterans and their families in their communities via in-kind contributions to nonprofit organizations and employee engagement in a wide variety of events and activities. American also offers special airfares, priority boarding and Admirals Club? Lounge access for qualifying active military.