FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- American
Airlines, the Dallas Mavericks and Abacus are partnering for the
10th year to host Seats for Soldiers, a unique
experience for our nation's military heroes. This year, more than
100 wounded service members will travel from Brooke Army Medical
Center in San Antonio to join
reserve troops from the Dallas/Fort
Worth area in attending the Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee
Bucks game on Dec. 7 at American
Airlines Center. This year's event falls on the 73rd
anniversary of the attack on Pearl
Harbor, and attending the game will be Edward Guthrie, a veteran of the United States
Navy and a survivor of the attack.
"American Airlines is proud to give back to the men and women
who serve our country," said American's chairman and CEO
Doug Parker. "We are honored and
humbled by the sacrifice these individuals have made and it is our
privilege to once again partner with the Mavericks to host this
one-of-a-kind event."
American Airlines will provide transportation between
San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth through Fuel Smart,
American's employee-led fuel conservation program that helps
provide flights for wounded warriors and veterans using funds
generated through employees' everyday actions to save fuel. In
addition, American's pilots and flight attendants will volunteer
their time for this occasion.
After arriving at Dallas/Fort
Worth International Airport, the group will enjoy dinner at
Abacus prior to attending the Mavericks-Bucks game. This year's
featured menu by Abacus owner and executive chef Kent Rathbun includes a first course of buffalo
guiso empanadas with guajillo mole, lime crema and a radish slaw.
Shared plates include a slow-roasted half chicken, southern
cornbread dressing, green beans and country brown gravy. Dessert
will be a German chocolate cake with butter pecan ice cream.
Beverage service will also be provided, all free of charge to the
service members.
"This event is always a memorable experience for everyone
attending the game," said Dallas Mavericks owner
Mark Cuban. "We love
that this event originated with a single fan and has continued to
grow year after year. It's an inspiring reminder of the amazing
people that make up our community."
Dallas Mavericks season ticket holder Neal Hawks originated the Seats for Soldiers
concept, and he and other front-row season ticket holders have
again generously donated their courtside seats, valued at more than
$350,000. After the game, the
soldiers will have the opportunity to meet and have their photos
taken with the Dallas Mavericks Dancers and ManiAACs, as well as
players and coaches from both teams.
The Mavericks-Bucks game will be broadcast on the American
Forces Network, which is available to U.S. armed forces serving in
175 countries and aboard ships at sea.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for
American Airlines and US Airways. Together with wholly owned and
third-party regional carriers operating as American Eagle and US
Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700
flights per day to 339 destinations in 54 countries from its hubs
in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort
Worth, Los Angeles,
Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The American Airlines
AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles programs allow members to
earn miles for travel, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays
and everyday purchases. Members of both programs can redeem miles
for tickets as well as upgrades to First Class and Business Class.
In addition, AAdvantage members can redeem miles for vacation
packages, car rentals, hotel stays and retail products. American is
a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and
members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily
flights to 150 countries. Connect with American on Twitter
@AmericanAir and Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines and follow US
Airways on Twitter @USAirways.
About the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks play in the Southwest Division of the
Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and
began as an expansion franchise in 1980. The Mavs have won three
division titles (1987, 2007, 2010) two conference championships
(2006, 2011) and under the leadership of owner Mark Cuban, Head of Basketball Operations/GM
Donnie Nelson and Head Coach
Rick Carlisle, the team won its
first NBA Championship in 2011. In addition to on-court success,
the Mavs are committed to making a difference in North Texas through outreach programs and the
Dallas Mavericks Foundation. For more information on Dallas
Mavericks players, staff, stats and tickets, please visit
mavs.com.
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130208/DA56847LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-airlines-dallas-mavericks-and-abacus-host-10th-annual-seats-for-soldiers-event-300005321.html
SOURCE American Airlines