Holly and I snuck out a bit early and headed to the Magic Kingdom, arriving around 4pm. We milled around Town Square (I could have sworn I read LIBERTY Square, I was wrong).
There were Cast Members setting up around the Flag pole. They had the center area ropes off. There was a poduim, flowers and plants in Red, White, and Blue, a small "stage", and a few speakers.
The ceremony consisted of a moment of silence, songs sung by a chorus group called Voices of Liberty, the main Street Philharmonic, and the Flag lowering and retiring by a Special Detail of Walt Disney World Security, Cast Memebers on Active Duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, and Florida State Poliec (Highway Patrol?).
The moment of silence was quite touching. To hear almost silence in such a busy place was eirie. There were some children, just outside the ring of people attending the ceremony who were talking as they left the park, but this served to remind everyone (well me) where we are, and what we have to be thankful for.
The Voices of Liberty sung a medley of patriotic songs that sounded pretty good considering the heat and the location.They also sang the National Anthem.
The Main Street Philharmonic played patriotic songs as they marched down Main Street towards Town Square. They then marched and stood behind the Special Detail, between the Flag and the train station.
The Detail marched in and as the Voices sang the National Anthem, the flag was raised to full height (it was half mast) and slowly lowered. The WDW Security Detail then folded the Flag and presented it to a uniformed Cast Member (Air Force). They marched out and the Philharmic began to play.
There were a few outbursts of applause during the ceremony. At times when the announcer mentioned the Armed Forces and Police and Fire Departments.
I posted some of the photos
here.
Ted
