Post-9/11 Veterans to Create Scenic Overlook at the Santa Fe Trestle Trail

DALLAS, October 17, 2012 /3BL Media/ - On Saturday, October 20, 2012, from 12:00–4:30p.m., more than 200 Mission Continues Fellows, Southwest Airlines employees, and local volunteers will gather along the Trinity River corridor for a service project. After proudly serving their country, these men and women have taken the challenge to don a new uniform – one of community service and leadership – through Mission Continues Fellowships.  

The Mission Continues Fellowship Program challenges post-9/11 veterans to continue their missions of service at home, working for the betterment of their communities and inspiring civilians to join the service movement. Veterans learn to translate their military experiences into civilian skill sets, gaining valuable work experience and pursuing a post-fellowship goal of a full-time job or higher education.  A typical fellowship covers 26 weeks, during which the Fellow serves his or her community through a local charitable organization. 

As part of the New Fellow Orientation weekend, Fellows will work together to clear brush, landscape, plant trees, and create an overlook along the newly opened Santa Fe Trestle Trail in Dallas.  The day's work will contribute to the overall Trinity River Corridor Project, an ongoing effort to improve, sustain, and better utilize the land along the river helping to showcase the natural resources.

The Fellows will be joined in their volunteer efforts by the City of Dallas, the Texas Trees Foundation, and Southwest Airlines employees.  Southwest serves as the official airlines of The Mission Continues, as well as a long-time supporter of the organization.  Southwest is also serving as the official sponsor of the orientation weekend, providing air transportation for all of the Fellows and hosting a special dinner and social event at their headquarters on Saturday evening.

”Patriotism runs deep at Southwest Airlines, and we are proud to support men and women in uniform as the official airline of The Mission Continues,” said Southwest Airlines Vice President Flight Operations, Chuck Magill.  “As a United States Marine, I understand the importance to recognize and give back to our nation’s heroes, and this opportunity is another way to appreciate and honor the brave who have given so much.”

In attendance will be local Dallas Fellows such as Jeffery Hensley.  Hensley served for 21 years in the United States Navy.  He deployed to Iraq, flying planes as part of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom and earning a bronze star for his efforts. Upon his return home, he went back to school to work on his Master’s degree, but he sought a way to continue his service.  Through The Mission Continues, Jeffrey was granted a fellowship at Equest, a Texas-based therapeutic riding center for children and adults with disabilities. At Equest, Jeffrey is assisting in the animal therapy and providing outreach to potential clients.   After his fellowship, Jeffrey hopes to gain full-time employment as a mental health counselor.

“We are all stakeholders when it comes to helping veterans transition from military to civilian life,” said Hensley. “If we can help our returning veterans realize their potential as leaders, our communities and country grow stronger.”

Jeffery is just one of the 73 new Fellows who will be available for photos and interviews. 

Media Opportunities:

Film/Photography Opportunities:
Mission Continues Fellows, Southwest employees and volunteers will work together to clear brush, landscape, plant trees, and beautify the corridor. 

Interview Opportunities:
73 Mission Continues Fellows (post-9/11 veterans representing all five military branches)
Eric Greitens, founder & CEO of The Mission Continues
Southwest Airlines representative

About The Mission Continues 
The Mission Continues challenges veterans to serve and lead in communities across America. The organization was founded by former US Navy SEAL Eric Greitens in 2007 when he returned from his final deployment to Iraq, fueled by the deep belief that veterans are civic assets.   The Mission Continues offers six-month community service fellowships to veterans, awarding over 500 fellowships to date.  The organization does not offer charity; rather, it challenges returning service members to utilize their tremendous skills and leadership to continue serving our country at home.  For more information, please visit http://www.missioncontinues.org. 

About Southwest Airlines
In its 42^nd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers by providing a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service.  Including wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways, the Company now employs 46,000 People and serves 97 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, six near-international countries.

Visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™ and see how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen while underscoring a commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet.

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines, one of the most honored airlines in the world, is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded.  With the addition of Des Moines (DSM), Southwest will operate more than 3,200 flights a day and serve the communities around 77 airports in Southwest's network of domestic destinations.  To book a flight, visit southwest.com.

AirTran Airways
AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., has been ranked the top airline in the Airline Quality Rating study three times in the past five years. AirTran offers coast-to-coast and near-international service with nearly 600 flights a day on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. The airline's low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating and Business Class. To book a flight, visit airtran.com.