PGRNY Completed Missions

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Snowball Express - JFK Airport

All Military Branches

Jamaica, NY - 12/03/2022

***UPDATED 11/29/2022 - 19:25 hrs***
Please see updated Special Information Below

Mission applies to the following Region(s):

Region 8, Region 9

About the Mission:

We are happy to announce that for the first time in 3 years, Snowball Express is back to in-person.

Patriot Guard Riders is invited to participate in the departure celebration at JFK International Airport, honoring children and families of fallen American Heroes. This year we will have 52 guests flying out of JFK.
Snowball Express is a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation. The Gary Sinise Foundation offers an opportunity for Gold Star families to bond with each other and make new friends and cherished memories with various festivities throughout the year. We show appreciation and love for the families and the children who continue to bear the ultimate meaning of service and sacrifice.
This year's charter flight will depart JFK at 10:30 am and continue on to Norfolk Virginia, where it will pick up another 120 passengers, and finally on to Orlando to Walt Disney World. The families will begin arriving at JFK at 7:00 am.

We ask that Patriot Guard Riders arrive by 7:30 am.

If you plan to participate, understand you will be going thru airport security. If you plan to attend, please send your name exactly as it appears on your driver's license along with your date of birth to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Have your license available to get through TSA security.
The deadline to respond is Friday 12/2/22 at 12 noon. Thank you and I can't wait to see you all.

Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:

12/03/2022 at 7:30 am

Staging Location:

American Airlines
Departures Level
Terminal 8
John F. Kennedy Int'l Airport
Jamaica NY

Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Wayne Cohen - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

516.729.9869

Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:

Updated 8 March 2022

Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters.

UPDATED -  We will stand a flag line at boarding time for the Gold Star Families.  Parking of cars and motorcycles will be provided on the outer roadway of the Departure Level in front of American Airlines at JFK Terminal 8

Parking of cars and motorcycles will be provided on the outer roadway of the Departure Level in front of American Airlines at JFK Terminal 8.

Special Information:

In years past, we have escorted the buses from the hotel to the airport. This year, all the guests are staying in various hotels so there will not be an escort. Please arrive at the Departures Level of Terminal 8 no later than 7:30 AM.
You will be directed to park on the outer roadway.
American Flags will be onsite so there is no need to bring another thru security.
To repeat, if you plan to attend, please send your name exactly as it appears on your drivers license along with your date of birth to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Have your license available in order to get through TSA security.

Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?

no

Submitted by:

Wayne Cohen - SRC Region 8 NY

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.