Members of the Hobart family prepare to board the Snowball Express.
SYRACUSE -- They're families of fallen heroes, bound by a common loss, and each has their own painful story.
Tricia Hobart of Ontario County lost her husband Michael, a corporal in the Army, back in 2005. He served in Iraq for a year, came a home a changed man she says, and eight days later took his own life. She hopes time will begin to heal her pain. "It does. It's just hard. I'd give anything to have him back," Hobart said.
Hobart and her three daughters are healing together. With their dad's memory tucked in their minds, they're heading on an all-expense paid trip to visit some 1,300 other moms, dads, and kids who also lost loved ones in the war. "I just want to thank them because it means a lot," said Kelsey Hobart, who lost her dad. "The biggest part of this is just being around people who know what you're going through."
The annual event is organized by Snowball Express. American Airlines charters and decorates eight planes, stopping in 23 cities across the country to pick up families. Pilots and flight attendants donate their time. Delaware North, a travel hospitality services company, gives families lunch and gift bags. All are coming together to do what they can. "They have been through so much," said Teri Ramirez, an American Airlines flight attendant and Snowball Express Charter coordinator. "They are actually my heroes. These families are amazing and it's just a great experience," she said.
Flagged by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, the families boarded a plane bound for Texas on Wednesday. They've been through so much and this is a way to give back to them and show them they have support. "We're here basically to honor the families and to show our support for them," said Pat Christensen, Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders.
As for the Hobart family, they're leaning on each other to get by. "I'm doing pretty good," said Paige Hobart who lost her dad. "There's bad days and there's good days, but I think about him everyday," she said.
They draw strength from one other, remembering their dad as the man who made them all laugh.
