McLEAN, Va. - Dozens of wounded warriors and their spouses boarded a Yellow Ribbon aircraft at Reagan National Airport (web | news) on Veterans Day for an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas.

The soldiers say while Veterans Day is a time to remember and honor their fallen comrades... this trip makes them feel special, and appreciated.

"It actually takes you away to a whole different arena, a whole different world," said Charles Eggleston. "You just relax, have fun, and see your friends having fun. That's what counts."

The four-day trip includes free airfare, room and board, and tickets to several shows, including to the Blue Man Group, which is donating the proceeds of the show to ThanksUSA, a local organization that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of active-duty military members.

ThanksUSA was founded four years ago by two sisters from McLean who were 10 and 8 years old at the time. Rachel and Kelsi Okun got the idea to help military families when a war veteran moved into their neighborhood.

"Just to see everyday struggles he went through coming home from Iraq (web | news) with a purple heart, it really motivated us to do something," Rachel said.

With the help of their teacher and parents, the sisters created a treasure hunt to raise money for need-based scholarships for military spouses and children.

"Education is extremely important to our family," Kelsi said. "We found a way we could intertwine both those things we hold dear to our hearts."

"We wanted to make sure we could tell military families thanks that would last longer than just a few hurrahs for all sacrifices they give for complete strangers," Rachel added.

Now 14 and 11, the Okun sisters say ThanksUSA has raised more than $5 million in donations to provide nearly 2,000 scholarships.

Amanda Smith is the wife of a Marine and mother of two. She says she couldn't afford school without their help.

"They are making such a difference in peoples lives," she said. "I don't know if they realize how big of a difference."

Smith is using the scholarship to attend Northern Virginia Community College with the goal of becoming a high school science teacher.

The girls' work has landed them plenty of recognition. They were recently named among the top ten most caring people in America, and inducted into the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans.

"Just to be recognized there, I can't top that at all," Kelsi said of the recognition.

Rachel and Kelsi say, considering what military members sacrifice for their freedom, the scholarships they provide are the least they can do to say thank you.

"They really are the true heroes who should be walking down red carpet each day, who should be fawned over -- they give us everything we have," Kelsi said.

Rachel and Kelsi stress the organization isn't about them, but rather about the military members serving their country.

They say through their actions they hope to inspire others to devote themselves to a cause they're passionate about.

ThanksUSA held a fundraiser concert Monday at the Ryman Auditorium featuring Vince Gill and Amy Grant.

For more information on ThanksUSA, CLICK HERE.

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