Despite a year of disappointing news from the House of Mouse, Disney showed they haven’t completely lost touch this Christmas season by welcoming Gold Star families in a big way.
(Video: WTLV-TV)
With one woke production after another and vocal support of progressive policies, misgivings about the chiefly children’s entertainment company have been well warranted. However, after a COVID-induced hiatus, Walt Disney World once again welcomed families of fallen military heroes in December for the Gary Sinise Foundation’s annual Snowball Express Program.
The five-day event hosted more than 1,800 family members, most of whom were children accompanied by their surviving parent, not only to experience the joy and wonder of “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” but to find and give comfort to others whose loved ones paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country.
The foundation offered a statement highlighting the closing day of the event that, as they put it, offered “5 days of healing & joy.”
This past week was a memorable one for @GarySiniseFound. For the first time since 2019, we were able to host families of fallen military heroes for 5 days of healing & joy at Snowball Express 2022! Read the full story & enjoy highlights from the final day! https://t.co/SWC6nGFI7T
— GarySiniseFoundation (@GarySiniseFound) December 16, 2022
On that final day, attendees participated in a Walk of Gratitude down Main Street, USA toward Cinderella’s Castle where cast members lined the procession and cheered the families “with a hero’s welcome.”
Speaking with WTLV-TV, Marine Corps veteran and Disney cast member Susan Finnigan explained, “This event is to give the families who have lost a loved one in service to their country a moment to reflect, to have a magical time, to celebrate their loved one and family time together here at Walt Disney World.”
“I’ve had several mothers come up to me, with tears in their eyes, and say how grateful they are as moms to know that their children are with others who experienced similar things,” Donna Palmer, executive director of the Gary Sinise Foundation told ABC. “That feeling of comfort and connection means so much to them.”
Joining with Disney and the Gary Sinise Foundation, Patriot Guard Riders also participated in the Snowball Express as members of the nonprofit organization welcomed the families into EPCOT’s concert venue via a walk through the snow following a day in the park.
Patriot Guard’s Rita Robbs, herself from a military family said to WTLV-TV, “It’s all about letting them know that stuff happens, but they’re not by themselves. We want them to know we love them.”
Actor Gary Sinise who started his foundation to help veterans and their families has said, “Freedom and security are precious gifts that we, as Americans, should never take for granted. We must do all we can to extend our hand in times of need to those who willingly sacrifice each day to protect that freedom and security. While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation’s defenders, we can always do a little more.”
He also offered a statement to attendees after they were treated to a performance from his music group, the Lt. Dan Band, leading up to a fireworks show.
To honor their fallen family members, children also filled out a scroll with messages before bells were rung signifying those personal missives being sent up to heaven.
Disney’s facilitation of the event is just one way to show military families and service members who may be struggling during the holidays how truly appreciated they are.
Jim Lorraine, CEO of America’s Warrior Partnership recently joined Fox News to discuss how his organization is working with communities to help prevent veteran suicide emphasizing that it is “never too late” while providing links to services that those in need could use. That interview can be viewed below:
(Video: Fox News)
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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