Campaign helps junior enlisted get home for the holidays

The Jack Daniel's Distillery is teaming with a military support group to help military service members and their families get home for the holidays.

The "Operation Ride Home" campaign is in its sixth year. It helps active-duty junior-enlisted military members and their families travel from their place of military service back home during the holidays.


"It will provide them with airline tickets or with prepaid debit cards that will cover gas, fuel, transportation expenses from base to wherever home is,so that they get an opportunity to spend time with their loved ones," said Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel's master distiller.


Jack Daniel's officials say since the campaign began, nearly 2,100 service members have participated. Men and women from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have been assisted with travel to 47 states.


The Armed Services YMCA plays a role in the campaign. The organization works with military commands to identify service members and families most in financial need.

It's important service members are given opportunities to get home to create "lifelong memories" with their families, said retired Vice Admiral William French, president and ceo of the Armed Services YMCA.

"It's really Operation Ride home that's opened that book where they can write those lifelong memories down, and they'll remember those things for the rest of their lives, and so will their kids," French said.

To learn more, or make a donation, visit: http://www.jdoperationridehome.com/