Tulsa Area Military Families Take Trip On American Airlines' Snowball Express

The holiday season can be difficult for the families of military men and women, but the Snowball Express helps to change that. 

For the ninth year, a non-profit group treated a special group of local military families to an all-expense-paid trip from Tulsa to Dallas. 

Children were waiting Thursday morning for a ride on the Snowball Express. There are 10 families represented and 13 kids, different families similar circumstances. 

"Cause our son Sgt. Anthony Delmar Peterson was killed August 4th, 2011 in Afghanistan," said Terra Peterson. 

Her grandson Dakota is making his first trip on the Snowball Express. 

"Dakota's reached the age where he want's to know if he's the only one," said Terra Peterson. 

 Well this trip is a chance to meet other kids in the same situation.

"We go to Six Flags every year," said Cole Diesing. 

This will be Cole's 8th trip on the Snowball Express. 

The Snowball Express' mission is serving children of fallen military heroes. American Airlines is the official airline of the Snowball Express and Captain Jim Palmersheim is a 25 year veteran pilot, he's flying the plane. 

There is Carter, he can't go this year. You have to be five, but I gave him my microphone and he said 'Hi." 

American Airlines and the other partners in the project go all out, they even decorate the inside of the plane. 

The jet from Tulsa is one of ten planes which head to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport from all over the country. The annual event is a weekend of hope and happy memories for everyone on board the Snowball Express. 

By the way, there will be a big celebration waiting when the families and children return to Tulsa on Monday.