316 ESC ceremoniously say goodbye to Gold Star Families
Army Reserve Soldiers from the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and nearby units, as well as retirees, volunteers and the Patriot Guard Riders came together at the Pittsburgh International Airport on December 7th to send off fallen service member and first responders’ families to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The event spans 87 cities worldwide and supports more than 1,700 families. It’s made possible by a partnership with American Airlines, which provides 13 chartered aircraft and space on its commercial flights. The Gary Sinise Foundation began the Snowball Express – a complimentary week in Orlando in 2006 for the families of servicemembers who died while on active duty since 9/11. The week-long event allows families to heal, bond and forge new memories with the only people who could truly understand their loss – families that have suffered the same terrible loss.