On the evening of September 12, 2009 onboard the USS Intrepid, now a floating museum in the Hudson River on the West Side of Manhattan, representatives of Snowball Express, widows and board members alike, joined hundreds of guests from the New York City Fire Department, NYC Police Department, the NY/NJ Port Authority and members of the Fighting 69th ,,Infantry Regiment, a/k/a the Fighting Irish (They started fighting in the Civil War and are still serving our nation in Iraq today), and we all participated in a review of the time that has transpired since 9/11.

We saw how the people of NYC and this country have come together to show their gratitude to our military, our firefighters and police officers and their families. 

The reception hosted by American Airlines, gave us many opportunities to discuss Snowball Express with representatives of corporations, media and folks presently serving in the military.  Our discussions with representatives from the Fort Worth Air Power Foundation proved to be extremely valuable in solidifying the relationship with Snowball Express.  We visited with media folks from areas other than Texas that are looking to help us get the word out to the public and other media relationships.

The opening remarks by Terrence Tierney (Founder & Chairman, Friends of the Fighting 69th) followed by Steve Blankenship of American Airlines,  were well said and the evening progressed with the voices of two beautiful singers. MSG Rose Ryon of the US Army Field Band and Steve Amerson (America’s Tenor) – (he can sing for us any day).    A magnificent portrait presentation by Phil Taylor, founder of The American Fallen Soldiers Project to the family of SSG Christian P. Engeldrum was very moving.  The portrait of SSG Christian P. Engeldrum of the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry and the FDNY Ladder 61 as presented to his family (including his wonderful 4 year old daughter). I doubt if there was a dry eye in the house. 

The evening continued with the introduction of Jonathan Flora by John Ratzenberger (of TV Cheers and dozens of other tv and movie fame) and the showing of the film “The Lt. Dan Band: for the Common Good” WOW!   What an awesome story of how the people of NYC dealt with and moved on after 9/11 and what our brave service men and women are still doing to keep our country out of harms way.  

Closing remarks were made by David McIntyre of TriWest and Jim Palmersheim, Director of Veterans Initiatives for American Airlines and a member of the Board of Directors of Snowball Express.  It was truly a thought provoking and humbling event done with the style and grace of American Airlines, The official airline of Snowball Express. 

Micki Sander
Buck Kern
Gary Lawson