Walt Disney World became a space of memory and healing this past week, hosting more than 700 families for the Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express event, a healing retreat for relations of fallen military heroes. The attendees, numbering over 1,700 family members, gathered to honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country, as reported by WFTV.

At the Coronado Springs Resort within Disney World, a solemn Remembrance Garden displayed American flags, each bearing the name of a fallen service member. This poignant setup allowed families to attach heartfelt letters and mementos, as cited by ClickOrlando. "It’s overwhelming the amount of sacrifice that’s been made to keep us free in this country," Gary Sinise, iconic actor and founder of the foundation, expressed during the event.

In further ceremonies of connection and remembrance, the attendees embarked on a Walk of Gratitude at Magic Kingdom, an essential element of the weeklong program. This included children of fallen heroes ringing bells and sending messages written on scrolls in a symbolic offering to their lost parents, a moment that was said to bring many together in a shared experience of loss and healing. Sinise highlighted the profound unity felt among the children, as per ClickOrlando, stating, "You can see what it is to bring so many children together who’ve all lost a parent and the healing that happens when they meet other kids and they see they’re not alone and they’re going through the loss they suffered in service to our country."

For more information about the impact of the Gary Sinise Foundation and its support for military families and first responders, interested individuals can visit the foundation's official website or follow its social media channels to learn more about the programs and services it offers.