Flag retiring at Magic Kingdom

[lovemygoofy]

We are leaving in 10 days I read once here about the flag retiring at the end of the day and that they chose a veteran to do this. Does anyone know if I can call ahead and make arrangements for my dh to do this? I know that it would embarass him to have the spotlight but still very proud to do this. I'm trying to make this trip oh so special before we start yet another deployment. Thanks for any tips that ya'll can share. I really appreciate it.

 

[SomePixiedust]

Sorry I don't really have the answer you are looking for. I'm not sure if you can arrange this ahead of time or if you inquire at City Hall when you enter the park. The ceremony is beautiful though. It happens every day at 5:00. When we were there they had 2 veterans participating. They announce their names and where/what they served. One of the gentlemen was a Desert Storm vet and the other had served in Korea and Vietnam. They did a practice run through before the official ceremony and they have CM's all around the circle to stop people from walking in. They have a marching band perform. I would say it takes about 10-15 minutes. They were given certificates at the end of the very moving ceremony. You could see the pride they had in their service. (Of course I wish this had caught on to the rude woman standing next to me who insisted on having a conversation on her cell phone during the Star Spangled Banner--if you can believe that!) If you have a video camera, be sure to bring it.

Good luck, and many thanks to your DH for all he does for our country, and to you for giving him to us.

 

[kellypops]

In June of 2004 my husband (a Navy vet) and I went to City Hall first thing to sign him up. We showed up again right before 5 pm, and they did a run-through, then I got ready with my camera while the ceremony began. Cast members from Main Street lined the area as the music played. I was so proud of my husband, and he was so excited! That is, until the flag caught on something halfway through bringing it down. We can laugh about it now, but we must've stayed there for 20 minutes with the crew trying to get it down. (Sort of a let-down to the ceremony at the time, but now we consider ourselves special--the security guard said this was the only time in his employment that this had happened. Ask--he may remember us!) My husband did get a nice photo, a certificate, and an exclusive pin just for participants of this ceremony, and I've got tons of pictures of cast members looking up at the stuck flag, passers-by pointing, etc. It made for a memorable visit! I'm sure it'll never happen again, so go for it, and be proud of your veteran!