KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Seventeen families from across the Midwest who lost loved ones in the line of duty boarded a charter plane on Thursday called “Snowball Express.”
The families were heading to Dallas, and the Snowball Express Foundation hoped the trip would make the holiday season a little brighter for these families coping with losses.
The trip is designed to bring healing and holiday cheer to families who may otherwise get depressed during a season when loved ones gather together. For the eighth year, American Airlines is flying these heroic military families to Dallas/Fort Worth for a few days of fellowship and fun.
In all, American Airlines is transporting nearly 1,800 children and spouses of fallen military fighters killed since September 11, 2001. The USO, United Service Organization’s warrior and family care, provided a grant for this year’s Snowball Express.
Some of these families have made previous trips and say it helps them provide new memories for children, and spread hope and happiness at a time when they may get down about missing their fallen family member.
“He likes to go and see his friends from years past,” said Tanya Bush, grandmother of one of the children on the trip. “That’s real important to him. He keeps in touch with them throughout the year via email, et cetera. Getting to see them and be with kids just like him is really special.”
Many of that activities planned for the families remain confidential. But we do know there will be a Wizard of Oz theme, complete with a yellow brick road, Munckinland and Kansas field poppies, even though they won’t actually be in Kansas.
