Honoring Service with Every Mile: Pilot Delivers Big for Military Families

Small American flag held by hand with text honoring Military Appreciation Month for active military and veterans

May is Military Appreciation Month, and while a lot of companies slap a flag on something and call it good, Pilot is taking it to another level. They’re not just honoring our heroes with words—they’re honoring them with real action, meaningful donations, and perks that actually make a difference in the lives of military families.

If you’ve ever fueled up at a Pilot travel center, you know they’re already a pit stop favorite for road warriors. But this month, they’re making sure the real warriors—our military service members, veterans, and their families—feel seen, supported, and appreciated in a way that goes way beyond free coffee (though yes, there’s free coffee too).


A $100,000 Thank You That Changes Lives

Let’s start with the big headline: Pilot is donating $100,000 to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that’s been changing lives since 2007 by providing scholarships to the spouses and children of military members and first responders who were killed or disabled in the line of duty.

This isn’t some one-time feel-good check either. This donation is part of a larger movement Pilot is leading through their newly launched Miles of Good campaign—a charitable initiative designed to fuel positive change across communities, with a focus on safety, education, and support for veterans and their families.

To date, Pilot has given over $2.7 million to military- and veteran-focused organizations since 2020. That’s not just talk. That’s sustained, intentional investment in the people who’ve given this country their everything.

“We salute military service members’ legacies by helping provide educational scholarships,” said Meg Counts, Pilot’s Director of Corporate Giving and Events. “As a company grounded in serving others, we’re honored to give our support to military members and their families who do so much to uplift and protect our communities.”

Let’s be honest—words like “support” and “appreciation” are tossed around a lot. But when a company steps up and turns those words into real-world impact—like helping a Gold Star spouse go back to school or funding college for the child of a wounded veteran—that’s something worth talking about.


What is Folds of Honor?

For those unfamiliar, Folds of Honor is the real deal. Founded by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, a fighter pilot in the Air Force Reserve and a PGA professional (yes, seriously), the organization has awarded more than 52,000 scholarships since its founding—totaling over $240 million in educational support.

Their mission is simple but powerful: Honor their sacrifice. Educate their legacy. Every dollar raised goes toward helping families who’ve paid the highest price continue moving forward.

Pilot’s continued partnership with Folds of Honor shows a deep commitment—not just to say “thank you,” but to build something lasting for the families left behind.


Miles of Good: Doing More Than Fueling Vehicles

This year’s donation is part of the bigger picture Pilot is painting with their Miles of Good program. Think of it like their compass for community impact. The initiative zeroes in on three key areas:

  1. Safety – Supporting first responders, infrastructure, and safe transportation.

  2. Education – Empowering students through scholarships and resources.

  3. Veterans – Honoring those who serve with career opportunities, financial support, and recognition.

So far, the campaign has supported dozens of organizations, thousands of volunteers, and countless families across the country. Pilot doesn’t just want to be known as the place you stop for fuel and snacks—they want to be known as a company that fuels good things everywhere they operate.


Deals That Deliver—Because Coffee and Gratitude Go Hand in Hand

Alright, let’s talk perks—because appreciation should come with a hot cup of joe.

Throughout May, veterans, active-duty military, and their families can unlock three free offers every week using the myRewards Plus app (verified through ID.me). These aren’t just little discount codes or small-print gimmicks. We’re talking:

  • Free Pilot coffee (essential fuel for anyone behind the wheel)

  • Free fountain drinks (because not everyone’s a coffee person—respect)

  • Freshly prepared hot food like pizza, breakfast sandwiches, and grab-and-go options

  • Name-brand cooler drinks for hydration on the road

These weekly offers change, but they all share one thing in common: they’re totally free for our military community, with no strings attached.


And the Perks Keep Rolling—Even After May

One of the best parts? The appreciation doesn’t end when the month does.

Year-round, verified military members and their families get 10% off food and beverages at participating Pilot locations when using the myRewards Plus app. That’s not a once-a-year gimmick—it’s a standing salute to the people who serve.

And if you’re someone who’s on the road a lot, you know that adds up. A discount on every coffee, every snack, every stop—it’s a small gesture that goes a long way.


More Than Customers—They’re Team Members Too

Pilot’s support for the military community isn’t just about donations and discounts. They’re also actively working to hire and promote veterans and military spouses throughout their company.

Through their career site jobs.pilotflyingj.com, they offer dedicated military hiring programs, transfer opportunities for spouses, and a workplace culture that values service, discipline, and leadership.

Military families know a thing or two about loyalty, reliability, and getting the job done—sounds like a perfect fit for a company that runs 24/7/365.


Real Impact, Real People, Real Patriotism

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about Pilot. It’s about a growing number of companies waking up to the fact that honoring service means more than lip service. It means stepping in to help families rebuild, to help veterans transition into civilian careers, and to say, “We’ve got your back.”

And Pilot? They’re doing it right.

They’re not just painting flags on coffee cups—they’re making sure the people who served under that flag get the support they deserve. From scholarships that open doors to hot meals and cold drinks that brighten long days on the road, they’re putting their money, their mission, and their gratitude into gear.


So, What Can You Do?

If you’re part of the military community—first off, thank you. And second, make sure you’re taking advantage of the deals this May.

  1. Download the myRewards Plus app

  2. Verify your status through ID.me

  3. Grab your weekly freebies

  4. Enjoy that 10% discount year-round

  5. Tell a fellow vet or military spouse to do the same

And if you’re not military-affiliated, you can still get involved. Support businesses like Pilot that are making a difference. Donate to organizations like Folds of Honor. And the next time you’re in line behind someone in uniform, maybe just say “thank you” and pick up their coffee. Sometimes the smallest gestures hit the hardest.


Final Thoughts: This Is What Patriotism in Action Looks Like

We live in a world that’s full of noise. But when a company chooses to turn down the volume on hype and turn up the dial on actual impact—that’s worth highlighting.

Pilot’s donation to Folds of Honor, their year-round military discounts, and their ongoing push to support veterans through Miles of Good is exactly the kind of story we should be talking about more often.

Not because it’s flashy—but because it’s right.

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