Photo By David Lipp | Military families ride the BNSF Holiday Express in Fargo, N.D., as Santa distributes...... read more read more
FARGO, N.D. - Military families boarded vintage BNSF Railway passenger cars this afternoon in Fargo, N.D., for a holiday-themed ride. Santa presented commemorative ornaments resembling military coins for excellence to passengers during the 90-minute excursion that featured treats and was highlighted with smiles.
“It’s the first train ride for all of us,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Dekrey, with the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing Operations Squadron, who boarded the train with his family. “It’s a lot of fun, and we got to see Santa.”
About 370 military family members took part in the BNSF Holiday Express ride, and many have had a family member deployed in the past year or serving overseas now. Most of the families represented the North Dakota Army National Guard and Air National Guard, with a sizeable component from the Grand Forks Air Force Base and a few from the U.S. Navy Reserve’s Navy Operational Support Center in Fargo.
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Schlepp, who serves with the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, enjoyed the ride out to Mapleton, N.D., and back with his wife, Michelle, and daughter, Kristen. Kristen was excited after having the opportunity to ask Santa for “a Rapunzel dress.”
“They did an awesome job getting us 370 tickets to give out to military families,” said Beth Sandeen, the North Dakota National Guard’s Youth Program coordinator in Fargo, who rode the train with her daughter and husband, Master Sgt. Jon Sandeen. “Everybody is excited that they got tickets, and obviously you can hear the kids … and they’re having a great time.”
Every child asked declared that Santa, the treats or both were the best part of the ride.
Many families videotaped holiday wishes during the ride that the North Dakota National Guard’s Public Affairs Office will send around the world, whether it’s to Maj. Michael Corcoran in Kosovo or to Master Sgt. Ray Amundson in Southwest Asia.
After the ride, BNSF officials presented $20,000 to two nonprofit organizations that help military families in the state. Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, accepted half of the amount for the North Dakota National Guard Foundation’s Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. TAPS provides 24/7 assistance and resources to anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one. Shelle Michaels Aberle, development director for Soldiers Angels, accepted $10,000 on behalf of her organization, as well. A network with 40 teams of volunteers within Soldiers Angels provides aid and comfort to service members, veterans and their families.
“Our military members and their families do so much for our state and nation, and it is only fitting that at this special time of the year we pay tribute to them for their noble service and selfless dedication to duty,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple, who attended the check presentation ceremony. “We appreciate BNSF’s donations and these organizations for the great work they are doing on behalf of military families.”
Sprynczynatyk thanked BNSF for their military support and corporate citizenship, and mentioned how it has impacted military families.
“Thanks to this (donation to TAPS) we will actually be able to send families to D.C. to meet with others who have lost a loved one in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines,” Sprynczynatyk said. In May, the Guard anticipates sending 30-35 people who have lost a loved one in military service to TAPS’ National Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for children, he said.
The BNSF Holiday Express also stopped in North Dakota in 2008, providing a similar experience in Bismarck. This year, the train is supporting military families in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, South Dakota and Kansas.
| Date Taken: | 12.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.06.2011 21:20 |
| Story ID: | 80980 |
| Location: | FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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