Flag retreat @ MK

[MickiMouth]

Has anyone ever been a part of this? I thought it might be nice for my FIL. I read on All Ears that you should go to City Hall to see about doing this. I was wondering if there is anyway to do this for my FIL without him knowing ahead of time. We won't be there but I thought it would be a nice surprise for him and he could tell us all about it when he gets home. I guess I'm asking if it's possible to "book" this for him ahead of time?

 

[llij]

I did this for my father back in December. I booked ahead of time by calling Disney's swichboard and asking to be connected to Main Street Operations in the Magic Kingdom. Call two weeks before. Main Street Operations holds the schedule and once I got through to them, they were very nice about signing my father up.

This is the Disney main switchboard number that I called (1-407-824-2222). They didn't wanted to connect me to Main Street Operations at first and it took many many phone calls before it all worked out. The CM's who handled this were wonderful and the Flag Retreat was a wonderful memory that we won't ever forget.

Good luck and let us know how it all works out. I wanted to add that it was thanks to the kind people here on the DIS that I was able to get this all set up for my dad.

 

[mach5]

my fil got to take part in this on our last day at the park (april trip). He was sitting on a bench waiting for the rest of us and someone came up and asked him if he served in the military. He said yes and they asked him to be a part of it. He got a certificate, a free picture of the event and a pin. He really enjoyed it.

 

[Dodie]

DH did this in 2002. It was quite memorable. HOWEVER, we did not initiate it. A CM approached us as we entered the park and asked my husband if he had served in the military. (He just has "that look about him" I guess.)

He explained that, since no veteran had been identified/slated to participate in the ceremony, they would like to invite him to do so.

It was AMAZING. He got a photo, a certificate, and a pin. It was all very moving.

 

[MommytoMJM]

I cry every single time I see this ceremony (and I see it quite a lot) I wish we could get my FIL to participate, but he won't even go to WDW (and he lives here) I try to go up to each veteran who has served and thank them for their service to this country....They probably think I am cracked, but it's important to me.

 

[ncbyrne]

My DH served in the Air Force during the Viet Nam era. Can someone please tell me more about it - what, where and when?

 

[MommytoMJM]

My DH served in the Air Force during the Viet Nam era. Can someone please tell me more about it - what, where and when?

The ceremony is at the Flag pole on Main Street USA in the MK at 5 pm each day. Go to Guest Services when you arrive to arrange participation.

 

[MickiMouth]

Jill, thank you so much for the information.
Thanks everyone for the reply's.

 

[MajorWoody]

Hello,


I've done this twice now. The first time was Pearl harbor day, Dec 7, 2003, and the second was May 27, 2004. It is a fantastic ceremony. On both occasions, I inquired at City hall for available dates during my stay. There was opening available each time, and I got to choose which date. It helps to take long trips, as there are often more available dates a week or so out. They take your name, hometown, and branch of service at that time. On the day you are given, you are told to be at the flagpole area around 4:40pm, and look for the security CM's. When you arrive, they do a brief run through of the ceremony, and tell you where to stand, and what to do. It's actually pretty simple. At 5:00pm, the band comes out, sometimes the full band, sometimes just a small group. They make an announcement to the crowd with your name ( or the vets), hometown, and branch of service, do the flag lowering ceremony accompanied by the band, and then you ( or the veteran) marches off towards Expo Hall with the flag after it's folded. They then present you with a very nice certificate with your name printed on it ( I don't know if they do this for same day volunteers), a very nice Veteran of the Day pin, a Mickey USO large pin, and a coupon for a free picture of your participation in the ceremony. You get the picture inside Expo Hall. It's very nicely done, and always draws a great reaction from the crowd. I plan on trying for it again on my upcoming trip, keep an eye peeled for the TR!!!


Hope that helps,

Take care,

Bill

 

[VMS]

Hey Bill (and others),

My dad was Veteran of the Day this past Pearl Harbor Day (12/7/04). I had arranged it at City Hall when I was down there during a trip in August. It was very moving and memorable to him -- we had not told him about it ahead of time. He is a WW2 Navy veteran who was supposed to be at the WW2 Memorial dedication last Memorial Day weekend, but my mom was battling cancer at the time, and he would not leave her. Anyway, I had arranged for this, and it was fantastic, he was so emotional. I pulled my kids out of school to do this, and am I ever glad I did. People kept coming up to him and thanking him for his service and sharing their or their dad's stories with him.

 

[grandma jan]

Has anyone seen a woman participate in this? I am a Veitnam Era veteran and would very much like to do this on my trip in July. I am just a little be aprehensive because when I was on active duty in the Navy not many women enlisted at that time. I have been given funny looks when I am at a function where veterans are recognized and even had one lady tell me to set down as this was for men who were in the military. I just replied "Honey, I am a Veteran" and she just shook her head. Anyway I am very patriotic and love my Flag and would like to do this in memory of my husband, Veitnam Veteran, and my father who was in the Navy WWII. Should I try?

 

[MajorWoody]

Hello again,

Grandma Jan, if you're a vet, you should definitely sign up for it. Like the previous poster said, alot of people in the crowd make a point of thanking the Veteran of the Day for their service, and I'm sure you would get the same result.

Hope that helps,

Take care,

Bill

 

[dbenlee]

I have never heard of this ceremony and I plan to watch it at least once while there next month. This sounds like a really wonderful and memorable ceremony. I am very patriotic and have been a "flag waver" all my life.

Grandma Jan, never having seen this ceremony, I don't know if there has ever been a woman veteran of the day, but as a veteran I think you should try. I would be happy and proud to see you participate in the ceremony as much as I would for any other veteran. Thank you, and all other veterans (war time and peace time), for your service to see that our country remains free. Citizens, such as you, make me proud to have served and to be part of this great country.