Patriotism runs deep at Southwest Airlines, and we are proud of all those who serve, especially the nearly 5,800 Active Duty, Reservists, and Veterans who are part of the Southwest Family. We support men and women in uniform all year long through relationships with nonprofit organizations like the Armed Forces Foundation and Honor Flight Network. In celebration of Military Heroes Month, you’ll hear about and read blogs about service, how we honor the military, the sacrifice these heroes make, and how we celebrate the brave who fight for our Freedoms.
Southwest’s military support isn’t just limited to November, but this gives us the opportunity to show how much we care and to remind us why it’s so important for us to give back and thank our nation’s heroes. So, in honor of Military Heroes Month, wear red on Fridays, say thank you to those who are serving or have served, and show how strong your Servant’s Heart beats by finding a special way to appreciate and honor our men and women who have given so much.
Who’s your hero? How do you appreciate the military? Share your story by commenting below.
Southwest says thank you during Military Heroes Month:
Nov. 1 | Armed Forces Foundation “Busch-Whacked” Event, Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track, Fort Worth, Texas
Southwest will join the Armed Forces Foundation and supply volunteers at the “Busch-Whacked” mud run event at Texas Motor Speedway’s Dirt Track to raise money for military families.
Nov. 5 | Military Appreciation Luncheon, Jacksonville, Fla.
Southwest is supporting the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s Military Appreciation Luncheon to honor military for their outstanding commitment to the country. It’s a way Southwest can show gratitude for the area’s active duty and retired men and women of the U.S Armed Forces. Southwest will host 200 military personnel and their spouses.
Nov. 5-9 | Operation Caring Classroom/Armed Forces Foundation, Nationwide
Senior Chief Pilot and former Top Gun Pilot Terry Gleason is featured in the Armed Forces Foundation classroom video themed, “Military Transitioning to Civilian Life,” which will be incorporated into elementary school curriculum in military connected communities in all 50 states reaching more than 100 classrooms nationwide.
Nov. 7-8 | Continuing the Legacy in Aviation, Dallas, Texas
Southwest Airlines will host its fifth annual “Continuing the Legacy in Aviation” program where students and their chaperones tour a number of Southwest Airlines’ facilities where students can learn about the airline’s operation. The students also have the opportunity to interact with and learn from the amazing experiences of the National Tuskegee Airmen.
Nov. 9-11 | A Million Thanks, We LUV Our Troops Customer Card Campaign, Nationwide
In honor of Veterans Day, Southwest is distributing Support Our Troops cards and patriotic heart décor to all Inflight bases for Flight Attendants to share with Customers and give them the opportunity to say thanks as they travel to their destination. These cards will be sent to the nonprofit organization “A Million Thanks” who will distribute them to Troops serving across the world.
Nov. 9-12 | Operation Freedom Bird, Welcome Home Celebration, Washington, D.C.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Operation Freedom Bird (OFB), which provides a unique healing journey to Arizona's combat Veterans of all wars. Approximately 50 Veterans have been selected to participate in a four-day healing journey on Veterans Day and visit the War Memorials in Washington, D.C. Southwest Airlines has supported OFB with travel and a celebration of their return home for more than a decade.
Nov. 11 | Veterans Day Parade, New York City
Southwest Airlines is honoring nine Navajo Code Talkers for their heroic work during World War II by providing complimentary travel to attend the New York City Veterans Day Parade.
Nov. 12 | Veterans Day Parade, Dallas, Texas
Southwest Airlines is sponsoring and volunteering at the Dallas Veterans Day Parade to celebrate those who safeguard our country and say thank you to those who served or are serving.
Nov. 14-15 | Veterans Day Tour with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, Washington, D.C.
Southwest Airlines and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club will take recent Military Veterans and their families to Washington, D.C., for a Veterans Day tour.
Photo: Southwest Airlines has joined forces with photographer Robert X. Fogarty and Dear World, which works through the medium of photography to give its subjects a simple and profound voice through photos.