They paid the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror and this time of year can be especially difficult for the family members left behind, but a special trip to California may help ease the pain for two Lowcountry families.

"We're going to get on the plane in just a minute and go to Disney," said widow Barclay Murphy to her 4-year-old. Few families would turn down a trip to Disneyland, but Murphy wishes she could. She'd rather her family not be eligible for the dream vacation, knowing if that were the case, her husband would still be here.

This is the Murphy's second year on Snowball Express. A trip donated to families who've lost husbands and heroes in the War on Terror. Elly was old enough to know her father, Ed Murphy, before his chopper went down two years ago in Afghanistan. But 4-year-old Luke has questions.

"He even said this weekend, is the airplane gonna take us to Heaven to go get Daddy?" said Elly.

Explanations are hard to come by. Elly told her brother their dad would be with them in spirit on this trip and every trip. So many families are experiencing the same.

"When we're around all these other folks, we know they're going through the same emotions. The same feeling, the same sense of loss we are. But When we're faced with events like this, it brings so much joy and happiness to us. It really can help overcome some of those sad feelings," said Barclay.

Last year Snowball Express introduced the Murphy's to another Charleston family, the Buehrings. Chad Buehring, a Citadel grad was killed in Baghdad four years ago. His widow says knowing another family close by has helped her healing.

"Over the year, we've been able to call each other and say, did you know this or did you know that," said Alicia Buehring.

Their time together won't bring back the time they've lost, but this experience has a way of showing those hurting the most, how much America cares. More than 1,100 survivors of U.S. Military fallen heroes were invited on this year's trip. The flights, the gas, even the airline attendants time is all donated.