We honor and deeply respect the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving in the U.S. military. Throughout their careers, these individuals have made immeasurable sacrifices—enduring long deployments, separations from loved ones, and often placing themselves in harm's way to protect our freedoms and ensure the safety of our nation.

Today, active-duty service members rightly receive well-deserved travel benefits on commercial airlines, including free checked baggage, priority boarding, and discounted airfare. These benefits are a small but meaningful way to acknowledge their daily physical and psychological sacrifices. However, a glaring gap exists: these same benefits are not consistently extended to retired military personnel despite their years—sometimes decades—of honorable service.

Having given so much to safeguard our nation, U.S. military retirees deserve equal recognition. Their commitment to defending our country does not end upon retirement. For many, their service has left lasting impacts—both seen and unseen—that they carry for the rest of their lives. Retaining from military service means giving the nation the best years of one’s life. As a country, our gratitude should not wane simply because they’ve taken off the uniform for the final time.

For these individuals, the issue is not merely about financial savings—it is about respect, recognition, and honor that matches their dedication and sacrifices.

In light of their service, we call upon the government and commercial airlines to adopt policies that extend the same travel benefits to retired military personnel as those currently afforded to active-duty service members. Specifically, we urge airlines to:

Provide free checked baggage allowances equal to those given to active-duty personnel.
Grant priority boarding access as a token of respect and gratitude.
Offer discounted airfare for retired service members and their families.
Extend lounge access and other amenities to retirees during their travels.
Ensure flexibility in ticket changes and access to TSA PreCheck for expedited screening.
These changes will honor their sacrifices and send a powerful message of enduring appreciation for their role in defending our freedoms.

This is more than just a matter of policy—it is a moral obligation to recognize the lifetime contributions of these heroes. By signing this petition, you advocate for fairness, respect, and equity for those who have given so much to our nation. Let us show our retired military service members that their sacrifices are not forgotten and that their country remains grateful for all they have done.

Please join us in this effort to extend equitable travel benefits to U.S. military retirees. Together, we can make a difference and honor their service meaningfully.