Snowball Express 2009 In Dallas

The California Governor sent a message to all Snowball Express Families. At LAX, the Snowball children gathered to

sing Christmas Carols.

American Airline’s staff loved decorating the gate area and dressing as various characters

This American Airline’s charter arrived at LAX from Sacramento to pick up the next group of families. Notice how the ground crew signaled them into the gate. They used American flags rather than their normal orange batons.

The Patriot Guard are huge supporters of Snowball Express. Here is one group gathered for the send-off at San Diego Airport.

These charters are not normal flights in any

respect. After take off at a steep angle, the flight

attendants start at the front of the plane and ski down the entire aisle on plastic

serving trays while spraying silly string throughout the

passenger cabin. Everyone has a great time!

The flight crews thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the airports and aboard the flights. It is a great privilege for

them to be assigned Snowball Express Charters.

We had wonderful guests on these flights to entertain the kids.

While Departing from each airport, the Fire Department honors these families with a water canon salute. This one is at San Diego Airport. The

kids were in awe of these special tributes.

There were many forms of entertainment for various age groups to keep the

children of our fallen building positive memories during the Holidays

With nearly 1,400 family members, there were always huge crowds to manage. The “Command Center” (at right)

was ready for every contingency from medical issues, to snowbound flights, lost and found, etc.

The next morning, the entire group is bussed to world famous “Southfork Ranch” where the TV

Show “Dallas” was filmed.

Inside the main house at

“Southfork” are rooms decorated with portraits of JR Ewing and

other characters from “Dallas”

There were dozens of great activities for the families to enjoy. The Southfork Staff was exceptional with all the kids.

General Peter Pace, retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is pictured upper left with Micki Sander, Chairman

of the Board of Snowball Express

Teenagers had a great time Texas line dancing.

An Ice Carver demonstrated his talents.

There were a dozen inflatable jumpers and

slides and competitive fun.

Little kids got to jump on trampolinesharnessed to bungees and ride horses

After a bus caravan to Mesquite, the families were fed dinner and given a private show at this world famous rodeo

Everyone was given a free cowboy hat. The young kids were allowed into the rodeo ring to round up some slippery sheep.

Snowball Express Board Members and Representatives of American Airlines, our Presenting Sponsor greet the families to

this fantastic, private rodeo show

The following day included a “Walk of Gratitude Parade”in downtown Dallas to the

Convention Center

In the Convention Center, dozens of fun activities filled

the day

Neiman Marcus, another Snowball Express Sponsor set up a store in the

convention center. Each Snowball child was allowed to shop for a free gift to be

given to their surviving parent on Christmas Day.

Media was constantly recording every aspect of this year’s events. Free blankets were given out to all family members.

Charlie Gibson, ABC National News featured Snowball Express on his final “Person of the Week”

Michelle Obama prerecorded a message that was played for all

the families at dinner

Snowball Express Mom Autumn Letendre had written a song entitled “Raise Your Flag” that she performed live for the families

who were all waving flags.

General Pace addressed the

crowd.

The following day started with a Texas style brunch

The Patriot Guard were ever present. Here dozens of motorcyclists formed to lead the motorcade through Dallas

The Dallas Police had arranged full “Presidential Style” motorcades where all streets and freeways were completely shut down to allow our 28 bus caravan to proceed nonstop between events as much as 25 miles apart

• Aerial view stadium

This motorcade is being led to Cowboy Stadium, the new $1.2B amazing structure

The entire field was exclusively devoted to Snowball Express

families and events the whole day

Super Bowl rings, proud SBE organizers, Patriot Guard motorcycles lined up to ride onto

the field and matching leopard vests

NFL players autographed anything presented to them for

signatures

Cheerleaders performed as did Gary Sinise and

his “Lt Dan Band”

Gary Sinise walks into the crowds with his base guitar to begin his two-hour

performance

Gary has been a huge supporter of Military causes and has backed Snowball Express since

the beginning

We wish to thank all the wonderful supporters of Snowball Express this year in Dallas including:

General Peter Pace (upper left)American Airlines Chairman Gerard Arpey (left) Gary Sinise (above)