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 National Treasures
In
two recent columns, I highlighted American’s first-ever service to
China and India. To be sure, Chicago–Shanghai and Chicago–Delhi are
fantastic additions to our global network. But this month, I am going
to shift gears. Instead of highlighting a new destination, I am going
to shine a light on a country we have been serving for more than 80
years. I think sometimes we forget that the country in question, which
celebrates its 230th birthday on July 4, has a little bit of everything
— beaches, mountains, deserts, glaciers, rivers, lakes, rain forests,
volcanoes — you name it. I’m talking, of course, about the United
States of America. All of our country’s natural wonders and more can be
found within the incredible National Park System.
The park system has been described as the best idea the country has ever had, and it’s hard to disagree. I am sure most American Way
readers are familiar with the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and
the other big-name parks that, to many, symbolize America’s incredible
natural beauty. But did you know there are nearly 400 national parks in
the United States?
To call the parks diverse would be a serious
understatement. On a national parks vacation, you might find yourself
scaling an active volcano at Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii or
spelunking the underground world of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. If cool
and crisp is your style, you might visit the glacier-capped mountains
of Washington’s Olympic National Park. On the other hand, if a steamy
escape is your idea of fun, check out Florida’s subtropical Everglades
National Park.
At American Airlines, we want to do our part to
preserve the best of America’s natural heritage. As a Proud Partner of
the national parks, we have leveraged the popularity of our AAdvantage
Program — and the generosity of our customers — to raise much-needed
money for the parks. Since 2000, AAdvantage members have donated more
than $4 million to the effort, and those members have, in turn, been
rewarded with millions of bonus miles. AAdvantage members who give
$100 or more to American’s Proud Partner campaign earn 10 bonus miles
for every dollar donated. Members contributing $1,000 or more receive a
National Parks Pass good for an entire year — a $50 value. To learn
more about this program and how you can participate, please visit
www.aa.com or www.nationalparks.org.
Franklin D. Roosevelt once
said, “There is nothing so American as our national parks.... The
fundamental idea behind the parks ... is that the country belongs to
the people.” Of course, one of the best ways to learn about Roosevelt,
as well as Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, is to visit the
monuments and memorials honoring them in Washington, D.C. Those
must-sees are part of the National Park System, as is our most
recognizable symbol of freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty in
New York Harbor.
At American Airlines, our mission — and our
passion — is to connect you to the world. But to me, our national parks
are a great reminder that, no matter where we live or how much we
travel, we should always appreciate the wonders that surround us. I
hope you’ll have a chance to visit one of our national parks very soon.
In the meantime, wherever you are going today, thanks for flying with
us.
Happy birthday, America.
GERARD J. ARPEY
Chairman & CEO
American Airlines
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