CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A gate and plane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport were decked out with holiday decorations Saturday for a special group.
The "Snowball Express" was boarding to take children and spouses of fallen U.S. military members an all-expense paid journey to the Dallas/Fort-Worth area.
"Everyone volunteered for a job, but they volunteered to protect their country," said John Coleman, whose late father served as an Army Staff Sergeant.
The 34 family members departing Charlotte joined 1,700 nationwide.
Mackenzie Andrews, 16, has gone on the trips for 10 years.
"When I meet people, they come up to me and they're just like 'oh, I met your mom she's so nice, what does your dad do?' and it's an awkward conversation when you have to say he's dead, he's gone," Andrews said.
While the event coincides with Christmas, for some it's far more special.
"I look forward to it more than Christmas because I'm around people who understand and love me, even though they don't always know me," Andrews said.
While in Texas, families will participate in activities including a "Texas-sized welcome, a Walk of Gratitude honoring their sacrifice, a tour of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, a "knight" of jousting fun at Medieval Times and a private concert by Academy Award-nominated actor Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.
American Airlines provided a majority of the air travel, and all flight crews and hundreds of employee volunteers donated their time to participate in the Snowball express. Ten chartered American aircraft departed from numerous cities to pick up Snowball families.