Gold Star Families Head to Walt Disney World Aboard The Snowball Express
In the true spirit of the holiday season, three dozen Gold Star families boarded an American Airlines flight at the Killeen Regional Airport for an all-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World.
As part of a collaboration between American Airlines and the Gary Sinise Foundation, the Snowball Express took its annual flight to Orlando for five days of fun in the sun.
Photo: Gary Sinise Foundation
According to the Gary Sinise Foundation, the program is designed to honor family members of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and encourage them “to make new memories and provides opportunities to connect with others who know what they’ve been through.”
“This Feels Really Good”
One of the participants this year was 16-year-old Luis Pabon, who was heading to Walt Disney World with his mother and 9-year-old brother. It has been four years since Luis’s father, Sgt. Jose Pabon, who served two tours in Afghanistan, suffered a fatal heart attack while training at Fort Hood.
Photo: Gary Sinise Foundation
“I have my very lows, but recently I’ve been trying to leave it behind but not forget,” he said. “I think this is a good experience for us kids who have lost somebody in the line of duty.
“To know there’s somebody besides family and friends out there who actually cares. Sometimes it feels like nobody is going to listen or understand our pain. Right now, it feels like the ultimate high. This feels really good.”
A Hero’s Send Off
Before the families boarded the Snowball Express, which was decorated with streamers, a fireplace, and a Christmas tree, families were greeted at the gate by Go Team Therapy/Crisis Dogs Central Texas members, who brought a team of canines for the send-off.
Gary Sinise Foundation Snowball Express
“We are an organization of certified therapy dogs, and we’re out here to support the kids, entertain them and show them love,” said group member Barbara Hoffmann of Temple. “We do these types of community events all the time. The kids love to see our dogs, and pet and love on them.”
Also on hand for the early morning flight was retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen Rick Lynch, a former Fort Hood commander, and his wife Sarah, who now serve as Gary Sinise Foundation ambassadors. Before the families took off, Lynch read a letter from Sinise.
Photo: Gary Sinise Foundation
“There’s 44 airports actively involved today in sending people to Orlando, and each one has an ambassador to read a letter from Gary that describes the purpose of the program, which is to honor the families of the fallen. That’s why we’re here,” said Lynch
Honoring Their Sacrifice
In total, over 1,800 children will head to Walt Disney World for the next five days. According to Lynch, the trip is a meaningful way to remember the sacrifice of the brave Americans who died for our freedoms.
“We’re having 1,800 youngsters at Disney World for the next five days. Next week, we’ll bring in children of our fallen first responders. The key is, we as Americans can’t forget their sacrifice. All these kids, they don’t forget what their mom or their dad did. That’s why we do this.”
Credit: Disney
To learn more about the Gary Sinise Foundation and the Snowball Express visit www.garysinisefoundation.org.
