Amidst DFW Airport’s holiday chaos, a nonprofit reunites First Class Elizabeth Crowley & Zane Mallicote, transforming a lonely holiday into a shared Thanksgiving
FORT WORTH, Texas — In the middle of the holiday rush at DFW Airport—people hurrying in every direction—some travelers are doing more waiting than moving. One of them is Zane Mallicote, who “drove a good six hours to get here. I’m glad to be standing up.”
He’s waiting for a moment he never imagined would happen this Thanksgiving. His fiancée, First Class Elizabeth Crowley, is active duty Air Force. The holiday was supposed to be spent apart—until a nonprofit stepped in.
Maureen Byrne, founder of Miles for Military, helps fund flights for service members so they can spend time with loved ones.
“So far we haven’t had to say no to anybody,” Byrne said.
To earn the free flight, the military member must complete at least 25 hours of community service. Miles for Military has helped hundreds of active duty members come home, and not just for holidays, since the nonprofit started in 2023. For Zane, that generosity means Elizabeth is on a direct flight from Montgomery, Alabama, to Dallas-Fort Worth.
“I thought she meant everything yesterday, and then today it’s just a little more,” Zane said.
Byrne, a military mom herself, understands the weight of these reunions.
“Home is where your heart is,” she said. “Home is where your mom hugs are, your dad advice…your everything.”
Moments later, Zane’s “everything” walked through the terminal doors at the E terminal. Elizabeth and Zane shared an extended hug and a kiss.
“He’s my future, so he literally means everything to me,” Elizabeth said.
Both Zane and Elizabeth are originally from Arkansas. This year, Elizabeth will spend Thanksgiving meeting Zane’s Dallas-area family.
“It feels really good rather than being stuck near base,” she told WFAA — much better than being alone in an apartment. Thanks to a nonprofit willing to cover a nonstop flight, a long-distance holiday became a shared one.