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Snowball Express (children of military fallen heroes) says thks to American Airline

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chase

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 27, 2001
Posts
1,217
There are a lot of negatives stories on airlines, their employees and all things associated with a profession many of us are involved in. When something good occurs, it should be touted repeatedly. Forgive me for getting on my soapbox but a huge thanks is owed to American Airlines for their involvement in one such venture called Snowball Express.

This past weekend in Dallas, TX, over 1200 children and spouses of military fallen heroes who have died since 9/11 (combat and non-combat related deaths) were treated to 5 days, 4 nights, all expenses paid trip to Dallas Texas.

American Airlines pilots and flight attendants (all time was donated) flew 8 charters (Snowball Express callsign) last Thursday and this past Monday to experience the annual event in which new and returning families experience Americans saying thanks for their service and sacrifice.

A huge kudo goes to those crews and to American Airlines for making this incredible donation of resources. Thousands of volunteers at the airports had huge send offs and arrivals upon their return expressing their appreciation to these children. For returning families, the mothers say their children look forward to this event more than anything else throughout the year.

At the event this year the families experience the hospitality of N. Texas citizens, volunteer groups like the Patriot Guard riders (they provide motorcycle escort at every veteran's funeral) and entertainment provided by Gary Sinise and his Lt Dan Band, the Mesquite Rodeo, RocketMan, performance of the Nutcracker, the folks at Six Flags over Texas and various other entertainers.

The most important aspect though is for the children to merely gather in one place to have fun and talk to others who have suffered this tragic loss. At the event, everyone is normal again for everyone has had a loss of a parent. In their communities they are often the odd child out and inadvertently many times this is pointed out by other children or everyday events that would go unnoticed by those with two parents. That is allforgotten at SBE as the children are surrounded by others just like themselves and friendships are made that last a lifetime.

If you participated in this event in anyway or work with veterans and their families in honoring them in anyway, thank you. As one mother said to me, "I can't imagine my life without Snowball Express. It brings hope where there was none before and my daughter realizes she is not alone and that a grateful nation still cares for the sacrifice her father made, thank you." These thank you letters from the children to American Airlines and Snowball Express are heartfelt and sincere.

Thanks again to American Airlines, the crews, employees and to the thousands of other volunteer groups and corporations that worked to make SBE V so successful again for these children.

If you know of families who have children ages 5-18 yrs of age, whose parent died or was killed while on active duty on or after Sept 11, 2001, please have them visit the Snowball Express website and register their family so they can attend next year's event (location TBD). By letting them know of this event you will change the lives of that family forever.

Back to your regular programming:D
 
My brother worked one of those charters. He flies the MD-88 for AMR. I bet he would like to see this so I'll pass this along to him. I'm sure the guys were very honored to be able to donate their time for such a worthy cause.
 

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