When the holiday season approaches, the focus is often on joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, for the families of fallen military service members and first responders, the holidays can serve as a heavy reminder of the loved ones they have lost.
Recognizing this incredibly difficult emotional burden, actor Gary Sinise steps in every year to bring a massive dose of magic, healing, and community to those who have sacrificed so much for their country.
Through his foundation’s incredible Snowball Express program, Sinise flies thousands of children and their surviving parents to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, for an all-expenses-paid, multi-day retreat.
Here is a closer look at this heartwarming annual tradition, how it works, and how you can help support the families left behind.
The Snowball Express: A Journey of Healing
The Gary Sinise Foundation officially launched the Snowball Express initiative to ensure that the children of fallen heroes—often referred to as Gold Star families—know their sacrifices are never forgotten.
Grief can be incredibly isolating, especially when a family loses their daily connection to the tight-knit military or first responder communities they once belonged to. The Snowball Express was designed not just as a fun vacation, but as a crucial safe space. It allows surviving spouses and children to connect with the only other people who truly understand what they are going through: each other.
The Magic of Walt Disney World
Every December, the foundation partners with American Airlines, which donates dozens of charter planes and volunteer flight crews to fly families from around the globe to Florida.
Once they arrive at Walt Disney World, the families are treated to five days of VIP experiences, including:
- The Walk of Gratitude: One of the most emotional moments of the week occurs when the families walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom. Hundreds of Disney cast members line the streets at the crack of dawn to give the families a hero’s welcome.
- The Remembrance Garden: Amidst the thrill of the theme parks, the foundation sets up a quiet, sacred space featuring a flag for every fallen hero. It gives families a peaceful place to reflect, leave notes, and honor their loved ones.
- The Lt. Dan Band Concert: Gary Sinise personally performs for the families with his cover band, the Lt. Dan Band, bringing everyone together for a massive night of music, dancing, and fireworks.
An Army of Volunteers
An operation of this massive size requires a monumental amount of logistical support. It takes thousands of volunteers to pull off the Snowball Express every year.
From the airline crews who donate their days off to fly the families, to the local Patriot Guard Riders who provide an escort, to the “elves” who help guide the kids through the airport terminals—it is a massive, coordinated effort fueled entirely by gratitude.
The Man Behind the Mission
Most people know Gary Sinise for his Oscar-nominated role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in the 1994 film Forrest Gump. Playing a wounded Vietnam veteran profoundly impacted Sinise, sparking a lifelong dedication to supporting America’s defenders.
He spent decades visiting troops, raising money, and performing on USO tours before officially launching the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2011. Today, his foundation builds custom smart homes for severely wounded veterans, provides crucial equipment to first responders, and hosts the Snowball Express.
Conclusion: Keeping the Promise
As Sinise often says, “While we can never do enough for our nation’s heroes, we can always do a little more.”
The Snowball Express is a powerful reminder of the good that can happen when a community rallies around those who are hurting. While a trip to a theme park cannot erase the pain of losing a parent or spouse, it provides these families with new, joyful memories and a vital support network. By giving the children of the fallen a chance to smile, laugh, and just be kids at the most magical place on earth, Gary Sinise and his army of volunteers are keeping a promise to never forget their sacrifice.