V A N T A G E P O I N T
AMERICANWAY
NOVEMBER 1 2008
10
PHOTOGRAPHBYCHETSNEDDEN
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do.Andoneofthethingswearedetermined
todo is tohelp the families of themen and
womenwho havemade the ultimate sacri-
fice on our behalf. One of the many ways
we’re doing that is by supporting an initia-
tive calledSnowballExpress.
Snowball Express began in 2006 as a
way to honor the children of themen and
women who have died while serving in
the U.S. military since 9/11. The first year,
nearly 900 family members from around
the country were brought together in
Southern California for a wonderful, all-
expenses-paid holiday gathering. These
families discovered that they were neither
alone nor forgotten. Last year, more than
1,100 kids and surviving parents attended,
and an even bigger turnout is expected at
this year’s event, which takes place next
month.We are proud to be the official air-
line of Snowball Express.Wehavedonated
the use of a number of aircraft for charter
purposes, and our pilots and flight atten-
dants have donated their time to get the
families to the event and help make sure
theyhaveawonderful experience.
Helping to bring a few days of happi-
ness into these children’s lives can hardly
begin to repay the debt we owe them and
their parents. While we cannot give them
all they deserve, wemust give them all we
can, and in fact, it is our privilege todo so.
If you would like more information about
this very worthy cause, or if you would
like to offer your support, please visit
.
With Thanksgiving upon us, I want to
thank you, onbehalf of everyone atAmeri-
canAirlines, for letting us serve you today.
May you and yours enjoy the best of every-
thing thisholiday season.
SnowballExpress
Gerard J. Arpey
Chairman&CEO
AmericanAirlines
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P
Penning this month’s column, I am in an
unusual position. With the presidential
election slated forNovember 4, by the time
most of you read this, we will have elect-
ed our new president (knock on wood).
Frommy vantage point, as I’mwriting this
column in late September, the electionout-
come seems impossible topredict. So, read-
ers, you are up to speed on an important
issue I can at this point onlywonder about.
But based on the energy I’m seeing now, I
am going to go out on a limb and optimis-
tically predict a record voter turnout. I say
“optimistically” because the health of our
democracy obviously depends on the par-
ticipationof our citizens.
The right to vote is one of the most sa-
cred and fundamental liberties we enjoy as
Americans.Wemust not take it lightly, and
we must not forget the millions of fellow
Americans who have fought and sacrificed
—andwho continue todo so— for the idea
that we all have a right to participate and
to have our voices heard on the issues that
affect us.
I daresay most Americans understand
that the lifewe enjoy comes at a price, and
theprice isoftenhighest for thosewho con-
tribute the most. For example, our friends
and neighbors serving in the armed forces
bear, along with their families, a uniquely
heavy burden on our behalf. I’m proud to
say that AmericanAirlines’ ties to themili-
tary goback several generations.Our patri-
arch,C.R.Smith,wasdeputycommanderof
the Air Transport Command duringWorld
War II. Throughout our history, countless
AA careers have been preceded bymilitary
service, and in the last few years, thousands
ofAA employees in theReservesorNation-
alGuardhavebeen called toactiveduty.
I amproudof thepatriotic spirit thathas
always helped to define AmericanAirlines.
Ourpeoplehave shown timeandagain that
true patriotism is not just about what you
feel or say; it is,most of all, aboutwhat you
