COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Several Southern Colorado families were flown out of the Colorado Springs Airport in style Saturday to enjoy nearly a week at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

It is part of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s annual Snowball Express event, which this year brings together more than 1,700 family members of fallen U.S. military personnel for a five-day special holiday retreat and healing experience.

The 35 Southern Colorado family members in attendance included Richard Morrison, his daughter-in-law and granddaughter Emma.

“I’m looking forward to having fun and seeing different characters,” Emma said. “Definitely the Little Mermaid.”

Richard said he was delighted to hear what the Snowball Express experience could offer his family.

“There needs to be more of this for veterans in the United States of America; She’s not being taken care of and that’s good for (Emma),” he said.

Richard said his family is survivors of military suicides. His son James died in October 2016.

“He was a volunteer firefighter, he was a sergeant in the Army and he was a great kid; He gave me a beautiful granddaughter and daughter-in-law and that was about it,” he said. “I miss him very much.”

Volunteers from multiple organizations came together to make their farewell memorable.

They formed a guard of honor for families as they showed up to check in at the American Airlines counter and escorted them through security and to their gate. American Airlines is the official airline partner of the Gary Sinise Foundation and is donating more than 20 charter aircraft and seats on commercial flights across its global network “to fly these special families to Disney,” according to the company.

At the gate, families were able to relax while enjoying the company of therapy dogs, a wide variety of food and live Christmas music.

Michael Wescott, chairman of the Mountain Post Chapter of the Noncommissioned Officers Association, said the annual Snowball Express trip is a great resource for families who have lost a loved one.

“These kids see each other every year up to a certain age until they grow up, and the parents are the same way,” he said. “It gives them an opportunity to come together, gather, talk, make new friends and reconnect with old friends, whether it’s the children or the bereaved parents.”

Wescott said it was special for him to be able to play a role in the celebration.

“It warms my heart to be able to do something like this, to have this organization out here doing something for the families of fallen soldiers,” he said.

The families will return to Colorado Springs on Wednesday.

Copyright 2024 KKTV. All rights reserved.