How American Airlines Is Partnering With Seats for Soldiers

Earlier this year, American Airlines highlighted a partnership with Seats for Soldiers during an event in Dallas, Texas. The January motive involved more than 100 service members, including wounded, ill, and injured service members from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard.

Donating a flight to help veterans enjoy professional basketball

American Airlines, for the 17th time – with a two-year pause during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic – donated a flight with additional donated time from pilots and flight attendants for wounded warriors to support an effort led by the National Basketball Association (NBA) Dallas Mavericks, professional team to provide courtside seats for soldiers after a premium dinner at Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse. Dallas Mavericks season ticketholders donate the seats. To thank the soldiers for their service.

One can watch a CBS Texas overview of events;

As American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour shared in an airline statement,

“For the past 17 years, Seats for Soldiers has been a special event for the American Airlines team — and one that I am especially proud to be part of as an Army veteran myself. We are grateful for our team of volunteers and our partners at Nick & Sam’s and the Dallas Mavericks for coming together to honor our nation’s heroes in such a meaningful way each year.”

Others join with American Airlines to thank the troops

Nick & Sam’s also pitched in with a free premium dinner for the soldiers, with employees donating their time. The premium meal included Allen Brother filet mignon and ‘Salt n Pepper’ Scottish Salmon, the main dish option, with sides coupled with cake and ice cream. As Nick & Sam’s Majority Owner and Partner Sam Romano and Corporate Chef and Partner Samir Dhurandhar, in a joint statement,

“Food feeds the soul. Although we owe them much more than a meal, we are honored to be able to treat the people who protect us. We admire our veterans’ strength and courage and want them to know that we see and appreciate them.”

Additionally, the Dallas Mavericks basketball team joined forces with their front-row season ticket holders like Neal and Jamie Hawks, who have been donating seats for years, and this year provided all Club Maverick members the opportunity to contribute their seats to the cause.

Vet Tix helped collect and distribute the donated tickets to provide over 400 additional seats to active duty, veteran/retiree, Gold Star family, and surviving spouse military members for the Dallas Mavericks January 29 game, which they won and celebrated with the servicemembers afterward.

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Bottom line

The last word really should go to John Wayne Walding, who won the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and a Purple Heart for conduct in battle after being wounded, shared with Sports Illustrated’s Bri Amaranthus;

Indeed, this is an example of good corporate citizenship where marquee businesses like American Airlines donate their time and resources to help out.

Do you know of other airlines working with sports teams to support veterans? Please share in the comment section.