With heavy hearts but smiling faces, the Escobedo family proudly remembered Sgt. Jose R. Escobedo on Friday.

"It's sad because he's no longer with us, but we try to keep his memory alive inside us," said 12-year-old Elvira Escobedo, whose father died in Iraq in 2009.

The family members were among 14 adults and children who were treated to presents, food and music, a visit from Santa and his elf and greetings from Fort Bliss soldiers before boarding a private plane to Dallas as part of the Snowball Express.

Established in 2006, Snowball Express is a nonprofit organization that supports families of fallen military servicemen and women.

Six area parents and eight children are being treated to the four-day all-expense-paid trip to Dallas-Fort Worth, where they'll visit Six Flags Over Texas, the Mesquite Championship Rodeo and the Booker T. Washington School of Performing and Visual Arts, among other places. They'll also be treated to a concert by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.

Angelica Escobedo, who had been married to Escobedo for 12 years when he died, said this is her second trip for her and her three children.

"The kids wait all year long for this," Angelica Escobedo said. "They don't feel different there. They fit in, and they have fun."

Nationwide, nearly 1,700 spouses and children of fallen military service members will participate in Snowball Express this week.

American Airlines and American Eagle are donating chartered aircraft and commercial flights for the families.

"The unfortunate thing they (the children) have in common is that they lost a parent who was serving our country," said Juanamaria Cook, general manager for American Airlines in El Paso. "But they're still children, and they deserve to put aside their sadness for a little bit and do something special."

Gilbert Minjares III was only 2 when his father died while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq four years ago. His sister was just 25 days old.

"It's been tough because they never really knew their father, but they know that now he's an angel watching over us," said Jeannie Minjares, who had been married to Gilbert Minjares for just 10 months when he died. They had been together nearly five years.

"He only knew his daughter for two and a half weeks before he was deployed to Iraq," Minjares said, tears slipping away. "It gets very emotional, especially during the holidays."

Janeth Lopez, director of Survivor Outreach Services at Fort Bliss, said the Snowball Express is only one of many programs and events that help take families through the healing process.

"They're not left and forgotten after their soldier dies," Lopez said. "We want to see them smile. It's the most difficult time for them, and we want them not to feel alone."

Natalie Aquino, 6, whose father, a Marine sergeant who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan and died in 2006, said she makes friends during the Snowball Express trips.

"I like to make new friends," Natalie said. "I don't know their names all the time, but it's fun."

Natalie was 2 when her father died, but she remembers that he would give her "lots of hugs and kisses every single night."

Natalie believes her dad is now a star shining down on her and her mother, Angela Acosta.

"I keep looking at the stars because there's a very shiny star and it's so big, and it's him," she said. "That same star keeps following me and my mom everywhere we go."