A staff member serves a military family with seasonal treats and beverages during a ride on the Holiday Express in Clovis, N.M., Dec. 3, 2012. The BNSF Holiday Express train expects to provide rides to more than 3,000 members of military families during its 13-day trip through Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Reece)
The Burlington Northen Santa Fe Railway offered a special train ride on the Holiday Express to military members in Clovis, N.M., Dec. 3, 2012. The BNSF Holiday Express train expects to provide rides to more than 3,000 members of military families during its 13-day trip through Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Reece)
Air Commandos and their families wait in line before boarding the Holiday Express in Clovis, N.M., Dec. 3, 2012. The BNSF Holiday Express train expects to provide rides to more than 3,000 members of military families during its 13-day trip through Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Reece)
Military members and their loved ones ride on a vintage passenger car of the Holiday Express in Clovis, N.M., Dec. 3, 2012. The BNSF Holiday Express train expects to provide rides to more than 3,000 members of military families during its 13-day trip through Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Reece)
Each family recieved a holiday ornament upon their departure from the Holiday Express in Clovis, N.M., Dec. 3, 2012. The BNSF Holiday Express train expects to provide rides to more than 3,000 members of military families during its 13-day trip through Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Reece)
by Airman 1st Class Eboni Reece
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
12/6/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Air Commandos and their families from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. took a special train ride on the Holiday Express hosted by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Clovis, N.M., Dec. 3.
The BNSF Railway paid tribute to military families by offering an exclusive train ride in its vintage passenger cars adorned with holiday decorations.
"This was the fifth annual Holiday Express and it is only for military families," said Joe Faust, BNSF regional director of public affairs. "This year we anticipate more than 3000 families will participate in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona."
During the hour and a half trip, children were greeted with gift bags while military members and their loved ones enjoyed seasonal treats and posed for pictures with Santa. To commemorate their ride on the BNSF Holiday Express, each family received a holiday ornament upon their departure.
