‘Snowball Express’ Takes Military Families To Walt Disney World
Dec 7, 2019, 9:29 PM | Updated: 9:31 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Christmas came early for some families who had lost a loved one serving in the military as the “Snowball Express” landed at Salt Lake City International Airport.
The family of late Major Brent Taylor was one of the families selected to board the Gary Sinise Foundation flight, which will take Taylor’s wife and children to Florida for a five-day vacation at Walt Disney World.
“This is such an exciting morning,” Jennie Taylor said on Saturday. “I had no idea it would be such a party and so many people and so much support…it feels like a giant Christmas hug.”
The Snowball Express aims to connect families who lose loved ones serving in the military and the Gary Sinise Foundation has partnered with American Airlines to fly over 1,700 family members of fallen U.S. soldiers to Walt Disney World each year since 2006.
“(They’re) very excited,” Taylor said. “They can’t wait to get to the sun, the swimming pool and Disney.”
Taylor’s husband was killed last year while serving in Afghanistan and she said she hopes the trip will help her children heal and realize they are not alone.
“I personally hope my kids will have a chance to connect with other military kids,” she said. “We’re a National Guard family, so my kids don’t know a lot of the other soldiers and families who served with my husband. This will be a chance for them to see there are other military kids out there and other Gold Star kids out there and I’m hoping they can form some great bonds there.”
