Photo By John Sheppard | 191207-N-CC785-004 CHICAGO, Ill. (Dec. 7, 2019) - Gold Star families from Indiana,...... read more read more
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CHICAGO (Dec. 7, 2019) -- Families from all over the world, including the Chicago area, traveled to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. via American Airlines to participate in the annual Gold Star Snowball Express, sponsored by the Gary Sinese Foundation.
Gold Star families are the survivors of service members who died while on active duty. The Navy Gold Star program, run by Navy Installations Command, is one of the supporting organizations that serves as a way to connect families.
“The holidays can be especially challenging for grieving families,” the Gary Sinese Foundation said in a statement. “Each December, we host a five-day experience for 1,750+ children of the fallen and their surviving parent or guardian. As a therapeutic retreat with a blend of fun and inspiring programs, these families can lean on their peers for support.”
On the flight departing O’Hare Airport on Dec. 7, there were 180 Gold Star family members, including 103 children and 77 parents or guardians. Families flew in to O’Hare from Indianapolis, Ind., Des Moines, Iowa, and St. Louis, Mo. to meet up with children from Illinois and Wisconsin for the flight to Florida. From O’Hare, the families flew to Disney World for a five-day vacation.
Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) Gold Star Coordinator Julie Boesel said this event is not just a fun event but helps to keep the fallen service members’ memory alive.
“There is a saying that says a person dies twice, once when they die and a second time when no one says their name again,” Boesel said. “It’s really important that the families get to come together and get to remember their service member with other people to keep their memory alive.”
NSGL Executive Officer Cmdr. Ken Williams was the senior military representative at O’Hare Airport. Sailors from Training Support Center Great Lakes were also on hand to support the event.
“Once all of the families arrived, there was a parade from the security checkpoint that went through the American Airlines terminal. It was led by the Marine Corps Color Guard, followed by Army Band and then the Navy,” said Boesel. “Once they arrived at the gate, there were face painters, balloon artists, a magician and, of course, Santa Claus.”
Boesel was thankful for all the help from the Gary Sinese Foundation, American Airlines and other contributors. “The event was a huge success with lots of excitement from the children, some of whom were going to Disney World for the first time,” said Boesel. “The planes are provided by American Airlines. The pilots and flight attendants donate their time. The night before the event, the Goodman Theater decorates the gate used for departure and the plane itself. The flight attendants dress up as Disney characters.”
“It’s heartwarming to see so many people in the greater Chicagoland area come together to honor these children,” said Williams.
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2019 09:13 |
| Story ID: | 354961 |
| Location: | CHICAGO, IL, US |
| Hometown: | CHICAGO, IL, US |
| Hometown: | GREAT LAKES, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Snowball Express Sends Gold Star Children to Disney World, by John Sheppard, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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