One actor refuses to let fallen military heroes be forgotten. And the holidays are often the hardest times for those who have lost someone they loved. In an attempt to lessen that pain, The Gary Sinise Foundation hosted a healing retreat at Walt Disney World Resort, bringing together more than 700 families for its annual Snowball Express event, which included a all-expenses paid trip to the resort and its other parks.
The families were given a magical journey filled with remembrance, gratitude, and special moments at one of the most enchanting places on Earth. The retreat aimed to provide families with a chance to spend quality time together while honoring their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, the foundation said.
Families listen as a video message by actor Gary Sinise plays to the crowd. Photo courtesy of The Gary Sinise Foundation
Donna Palmer, Executive Director of the Gary Sinise Foundation, emphasized the significance of creating a special space for families to remember their heroes. “It’s so important because it gives us an opportunity for us to show them they are not forgotten,” Palmer said.
It gives them that special sacred place to remember, but then they can take that special memory and go into the park.”
As part of the retreat, a remembrance garden was established, adorned with hundreds of American flags representing the fallen heroes and their sacrifices. Families also participated in a touching Walk of Gratitude at Magic Kingdom Park. During this walk, they wrote personal messages to their fallen heroes, and the children rang bells to send those heartfelt messages to the ones they had lost.
Cappy Surette, Manager of Communications for Disney Experiences, expressed the significance of the event, saying, “It’s so special that we had more than 1,000 cast members show up in the middle of the night… to make extra special magic.”
In a heartfelt video message, Gary Sinise, renowned actor, and humanitarian, greeted the families, emphasizing how loved and appreciated they are. Sinise, known for his roles in “Forrest Gump” and “Apollo 13,” highlighted the importance of recognizing and honoring military families, especially those who have lost a loved one in service.
Gary Sinise performing a concert for military families and veterans. Photo by The Gary Sinise Foundation
It’s “very important that you know how loved you are,” Sinise said, “and how appreciated you are, and how grateful we are as a nation for our military families and especially for you, the families of our fallen heroes.” More than 1,800 family members watched the video message. “We will never forget and we will never take for granted what you go through each day,” Sinise told them.
None of us really wanna be here for the reasons that we’re here today.”
The Disney event marked the culmination of a yearlong series of empowerment workshops and regional community events organized by the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Snowball Express program. The Snowball Express event traces its roots back to 2003 when U.S. Army Private First-Class Jesse Givens expressed his desire for his family to visit Disney parks in a letter before his deployment to Iraq.
Since then, the event has grown under Sinise, who, in 2017, officially took over and expanded the Disney retreat. The foundation supports the surviving spouses, guardians and children of fallen veterans and first responders, providing them with workshops and activities to create special memories in a warm and welcoming environment.
Family members expressed their thanks to Sinise and the foundation for remembering them and their loved ones. “Thank you so much,” said Corcynthia Williams of Pennsylvania, who attended with her children Georgia, 14, and Jacklyn, 8. “Thanks for the opportunity to let my kids be kids. And thank you for remembering. and honoring our hero. We love you. It’s like the entire country is cheering for us.”
Sources: Florida Today | Click Orlando
