At left, a little boy boards the Holiday Express train in Dec. 3 in La Crosse atthe BNSF Railway Company. Above, Warrent Officer Mike Breintenfelt, along withhis wife, Kathryn and son, Johnny, open their gifts from Santa Claus aboard theHoliday Express train. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Sgt. AlysonSwanke@easeExpressSgt. Tiffany Addair112th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentThe holiday season took a memorableturn for approximately 300 servicemembers and their families Dec. 3 —including <strong>Wisconsin</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong>members — thanks to the BurlingtonNorthern Santa Fe Railroad’s HolidayExpress, a vintage passenger train.For the past four years, BNSF hasinvited military members and theirfamilies as guests on board the HolidayExpress, as a gesture of thanks for theirservice and sacrifice.“This program is specifically designedto honor military families,” said AndrewK. Johnsen, assistant vice presidentof state government affairs for BNSF.“[BNSF] recognizes that men and womenin uniform make tremendous sacrificesfor our nation and we also know service isrecognized and praised, but all too oftenthe sacrifices of family members gets lostin the shuffle. This is our way of sayingthanks.”BNSF selects four or five states everyyear for the Holiday Express. This yearContinued on Page 1514 <strong>November</strong> <strong>2011</strong>-<strong>January</strong> <strong>2012</strong>
Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, adjutant general of <strong>Wisconsin</strong>, and Gov. Scott Walkergreet Maj. Scott Southworth’s son Ala’a after a ride on the Holiday Express trainDec. 3. The train boarded in La Crosse at the BNSF Railway Company and wasmobile for about two hours. BNSF Railway has supported the military since theCivil War. 112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Sgt. Alyson Swanke@easeExpress<strong>Guard</strong> members part of unique tribute to troopsContinued from Page 14the train — consistingof 13 cars and thelocomotives — visitedMinnesota, <strong>Wisconsin</strong>,Illinois, North Dakota,South Dakota and Kansas.In addition to themilitary member andfamily passengers, Gov.Scott Walker, commanderin-chiefof the <strong>Wisconsin</strong><strong>National</strong> <strong>Guard</strong>, Maj. Gen.Donald Dunbar, adjutantgeneral of <strong>Wisconsin</strong>, andMatt Rose, BNSF chiefexecutive officer, were onthe 90-minute train ride.“It was an exciting moment watchingthe reactions of the children as theHoliday Express pulled into the makeshiftstation decorated with a red carpet andholiday scene,” said Lisa Kluetz, familyprogram director and event coordinator.“Once we boarded the train, it wasespecially nice that Gov. Walker tooktime out of his day to say thank you toeach military family for their service andsacrifices and, along with BNSF Railroad,create a special and memorable familyevent.”Rose said the Holiday Express allowsfamilies to put their concerns aside for amoment and enjoy an experience manyhave not had before — riding a train.“We have done it for several years overseveral cities and it is always the sameresult — a lot of kids and parents withsmiles on their faces,” Rose said. “It’s agreat way to kick off the holiday period.”The service members and their familiesenjoyed refreshments, holiday décor anda surprise visit from Santa, who gaveall children on board a commemorativeornament to remember their ride on theHoliday Express.“Each of the vintage train cars hadbeen refurbished to create the wonderfulexcursion along the scenic MississippiGov. Scott Walker greets Samuel David Lowrey aboardthe Holiday Express train.“This is our way ofsaying thanks.– Andrew K. Johnsen,BNSFRiver,” Kluetz said. “Each train hadits own theme, complete with holidaydecorations and refreshments. I am surethat the families will be talking about whata special moment that BNSF Railroadcreated to honor their service.”Tech Sgt. Brian Benzing, a jet enginemechanic with the Madison-based 115thFighter Wing, brought his wife, Fawn, andtheir four children to start off the holidayseason.“It’s a great opportunity to bring ourkids,” Fawn said. “[Brian and I] planned oncoming, but it was a last-minute surprisefor the kids, so they were excited whenthey found out we were doing this today.”Sixteen percent of the BNSF workforceincludes current service members orveterans. The company donated $10,000each to PROUD and Operation HomeFront of <strong>Wisconsin</strong>, two organizations thatsupport military families. Over the courseof the route, BNSF donated $110,000 insupport of military organizations.15 <strong>November</strong> <strong>2011</strong>-<strong>January</strong> <strong>2012</strong>
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