All Aboard The Snowball Express For Children, Families Of Fallen Soldiers

December 12, 2014

The ninth annual Snowball Express, an all expenses paid special American Airlines flight for the children and families of fallen soldiers made a stop at the Pensacola International Airport this morning. Thirty-one children from Escambia County will be participating in the event.

Every December, as many as 2,000 children, teenagers and their families gather in Dallas  for an extended weekend of fun and socializing. Though they come from all over the country and even international locations to participate in Snowball Express, these children all have one very important thing in common – each one has lost a parent on active duty.

Now in its ninth year, Snowball Express brings together families of post-9/11 fallen military members for an all-expenses-paid trip to create new memories and provide much-needed support.

Nearly 150 American Airlines pilots and flight attendants donate their duty time to charter flights for families to attend the five-day event. Crews dress up and deck the halls of each aircraft with holiday decorations, and American employees throw a send-off party at each departure airport, bringing in costumed characters, games and treats for the children aged 5-18.

The events, however, aren’t purely for fun. The weekend is also a time for the families to support each other, share their grief and celebrate their accomplishments after suffering a devastating loss.

This year’s Snowball Express will include a trip to Dallas’ Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a screening of Annie and a talent show. Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform for their eighth year, an annual highlight of the weekend. Plus, David Hira will return to be the MC for many of the weekend’s evening events, as well as the closing night’s Grand Finale Show.

The weekend also includes the annual ‘Walk of Gratitude,’ a procession that allows members of the Dallas/Fort Worth community to cheer for the children and their families and honor the sacrifice their husbands, wives, moms and dads have made.

Picture above and below: Preparing to board the Snowball Express Thursday at the Pensacola International Airport. Pictured bottom: Selfies will members of the Blue Angels crew at the Snowball Express. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “All Aboard The Snowball Express For Children, Families Of Fallen Soldiers”

  1. Norma Taylor on December 12th, 2014 9:31 am

    What a wonderful bit of news, kudos to all involved in this effort, for the terrible price the families had to pay. Thank you for something that still makes us proud to be an American

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News