Flag Retreat Ceremony

[mrsbornkuntry]

I did a search and found numerous threads about this at MK, but none about DL. Can a veteran participate in the flag retreat ceremony at DL like at MK? If so, how do they sign up?

If it helps, I read that at MK you can sign up at city hall. I really think my DH would like to do this.

 

[DevilDuckie]

Go to City Hall for full details but they do call forward all veterans from each brach of service at the retreat.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Thank-you

 

[Judy from Boise]

My DF was veteran of the day at MK, it was very special. Dan kindly took lots of pictures ( as did Disney ) plus he recieved a free print from Disney, a pin, and a certificate.

It is more low key at DL, but it is always moving.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Well, Kelly & I hadn't been to DL for awhile, so we decided to go have lunch there & walk around a bit. We got there around 1:30, and left at around 6'ish or so. Had lunch at the Plaza Inn (yum), and watched the kids at Jr Chef who had just made homemade chocolate chip cookies, & visited shops and stuff.

While there, we got a chance to watch the Flag Retreat. There was a little twist on it that was different than the other times I have seen it. Kelly had never seen it before, either, so I wanted her to watch it. She wanted to watch it, too, she just didn't realize it at the time.

This time, instead of the piped in music, the Disneyland Main Street Band came to Town Square, accompanied by the Dapper Dans, who sang patriotic songs, inviting everyone to join in - Your a Grand Old Flag, America the Beautiful, etc.

Then they did something else I had never seen before. They began playing snippets of each of the armed forces' theme songs - Anchors Away, Marines Hymn, etc., including the Coast Guard and the National Guard, and as each song was played, members of those armed forces proudly stood up, surrounding the flag pole. You could see how proud they were to stand up there at attention. It was moving.

Afterwards, they lowered to the flag to the Star Spangled Banner, and folded it with honor, then retreated. I saw more than one man wiping eyes that had gone moist.

Like I said, it was very moving.

 

[chanchiluv]

That sounds totally awesome!!! I hope I get to see it at least once when we head down there next month. Thanks for posting about it! Linda

 

[Another^Dimension]

Wonderful post Mary Jo...


I always stop for the Flag Retreat... whether entering or exiting Disneyland, and even if I'm running a little late to be somewhere or meet someone at the time.

The Dapper Dans and the the various armed forces salutes were added to the Flag Retreat during the 50th and thankfully those extra little touches to the daily flag lowering have stayed.