Thousands of family members of military servicemen and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom were honored with a five-day trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando thanks to famed actor Gary Sinise.
NBC affiliate WESH-TV reports the trip, organized by the actor’s foundation and American Airlines, brings together families each year who have the bond of having lost a family member who served in the U.S. military.
Called the “Snowball Express”, the trips were inspired by a letter written from a soldier who died in 2006 saying that his one wish was to take his family to Disneyland.
American Airlines donated over a dozen charter planes, complete with volunteer crews, for the trips. On social media, Sinise said over 1,700 people – including 1,000 Gold Star children – took part in the 14th annual trip.