Flag Retreat opinion

[princess22]

First of all, please don't flame me for this, it is just my opinion! I arrived at the Magic Kingdom yesterday during the flag retreat. In my many years of going to Disney, this is the first time I have watched this, and it was very nice. The only thing that seemed to annoy me is during the Pledge and the Star Spangeled Banner, there weren't very many people who stopped to pay their "respect" Now, I'm not expecting people from outside the US to do this, but I'm talking about a lot of very American looking and sounding people. Maybe this is because I grew up a Military Brat, and we had to stop for the national anthem everyday on base, but I think it is kind of rude.

I understand you are on vacation and want to hurry up to get on your favorite ride, but there are thousand of Americans who have died to protect our country, and this is one way we can show our respect to them. We should be proud to live in such a great country and should be able to take a minute to show that we are proud to be Americans. It doesn't take but two minutes to stop and stand with respect during the National Anthem. After 9/11 patriotism was at a peak. Everyone was showing off how proud they were to be a citizen of such a great country, but we shouldn't only show our feelings at certain times, instead we should show it every day.

Like I said, please dont' flame me, it's just my opinion.

 

[genius118899]

As a US sailor, I know the feeling, but I don't let it bug me. I pop to attention, and just ignore everyone that doesn't. I'm on vacation, so I try not to let little things bug me.

 

[RubySlippers]

My DH and I were there this year on 9-11. The flag retreat moved us both to tears.

Ruby

 

[Belle1962]

Army brat here. Yep--we were trained every day at x time (I think it was 5pm) no matter where or what you were doing as soon as you heard TAPS (I believe it was) start..you STOPPED. WHATEVER...no matter what. Some people even pulled their cars over to the shoulder of the road and got out to stand at attention.

But it's not just Disney--whenever we see a parade and a color guard passes, we stand. It's what we were taught.

 

[safetymom]

I agree with you. Another Army brat here.

 

[Big Vic]

First of all, please don't flame me for this, it is just my opinion! I arrived at the Magic Kingdom yesterday during the flag retreat. In my many years of going to Disney, this is the first time I have watched this, and it was very nice. The only thing that seemed to annoy me is during the Pledge and the Star Spangeled Banner, there weren't very many people who stopped to pay their "respect" Now, I'm not expecting people from outside the US to do this, but I'm talking about a lot of very American looking and sounding people. Maybe this is because I grew up a Military Brat, and we had to stop for the national anthem everyday on base, but I think it is kind of rude.

I understand you are on vacation and want to hurry up to get on your favorite ride, but there are thousand of Americans who have died to protect our country, and this is one way we can show our respect to them. We should be proud to live in such a great country and should be able to take a minute to show that we are proud to be Americans. It doesn't take but two minutes to stop and stand with respect during the National Anthem. After 9/11 patriotism was at a peak. Everyone was showing off how proud they were to be a citizen of such a great country, but we shouldn't only show our feelings at certain times, instead we should show it every day.

Like I said, please dont' flame me, it's just my opinion.

I'm a retired senior NCO, and I agree with you.

When the flag ceremony is being conducted, pause and pay your respects.

Nuff said.

 

[mgilmer]

First of all, please don't flame me for this, it is just my opinion! I arrived at the Magic Kingdom yesterday during the flag retreat. In my many years of going to Disney, this is the first time I have watched this, and it was very nice. The only thing that seemed to annoy me is during the Pledge and the Star Spangeled Banner, there weren't very many people who stopped to pay their "respect" Now, I'm not expecting people from outside the US to do this, but I'm talking about a lot of very American looking and sounding people. Maybe this is because I grew up a Military Brat, and we had to stop for the national anthem everyday on base, but I think it is kind of rude.

I understand you are on vacation and want to hurry up to get on your favorite ride, but there are thousand of Americans who have died to protect our country, and this is one way we can show our respect to them. We should be proud to live in such a great country and should be able to take a minute to show that we are proud to be Americans. It doesn't take but two minutes to stop and stand with respect during the National Anthem. After 9/11 patriotism was at a peak. Everyone was showing off how proud they were to be a citizen of such a great country, but we shouldn't only show our feelings at certain times, instead we should show it every day.

Like I said, please dont' flame me, it's just my opinion.

Well stated. I agree.

 

[ChrisAlli]

I have to say, we finally did this a few weeks ago and I would say the majority stopped and paid attention.

It's well worth seeing and I'm not a military brat. The person getting the flag just had to be so honored.

 

[Classof83]

I am another who thinks respect for our country's flag is very important. I work at a preschool with 3 year olds, and we always start our day with the pledge (teaching them stand straight, hand over their hearts, no fidgeting, etc.) and it is amazing how quickly they are learning the words.

I guess one of the best things we can do is teach by example.

 

[Texas Rob]

Yep I think we all (foreign or not) ought to stand in awe of the American Flag and those who have helped secure the freedoms at home and abroad. However, our society has not been equipped with this thinking for sometime. People hate America and our ideologies for a reason. It would be great to see a moment when the entire park would stop and pledge to the Flag everyday. But I digress, it is not likely to happen.

nice observation though.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

We're a military family through and through. I totally agree that it would be nice if these people would stop and pay their respects as we do. However, those women and men also fought so they'd have the freedom to go on about their day. Yes, I stop for the flag and the National Anthem. I may think a person who doesn't remove his hat during a flag ceremony is a dunce. That's one of the perks of living in this country, though.

Quick story...
There was a military funeral processing through our downtown area a couple years back. The PGR were there (and of course the idiot protestors), and the owner of the salon I was working for at the time said they (the protestors) were right and God was the soldier's enemy. Of course, she had no idea what the protestors are really against. Anyway, she said this in front of clients and another stylist who's also in a military family. Normally I'll hold my tongue to maintain a proffesional appearance in front of clients, but I promptly responded that that soldier and many more like him fought so people could say ignorant things like that. I turned around and left. That night I left my resignation on her counter, packed my things and have never seen her again.

So, yes, please do stop and take a moment when you see a flag ceremony or our anthem is playing. If you don't, though, remember that you have the right to do that because of our military.

On that note, my grampa, the retired USMC Captain, is giving a speech tonight, so I'm out!

 

[Texas Rob]

We're a military family through and through. I totally agree that it would be nice if these people would stop and pay their respects as we do. However, those women and men also fought so they'd have the freedom to go on about their day. Yes, I stop for the flag and the National Anthem. I may think a person who doesn't remove his hat during a flag ceremony is a dunce. That's one of the perks of living in this country, though.

Quick story...
There was a military funeral processing through our downtown area a couple years back. The PGR were there (and of course the idiot protestors), and the owner of the salon I was working for at the time said they (the protestors) were right and God was the soldier's enemy. Of course, she had no idea what the protestors are really against. Anyway, she said this in front of clients and another stylist who's also in a military family. Normally I'll hold my tongue to maintain a proffesional appearance in front of clients, but I promptly responded that that soldier and many more like him fought so people could say ignorant things like that. I turned around and left. That night I left my resignation on her counter, packed my things and have never seen her again.

So, yes, please do stop and take a moment when you see a flag ceremony or our anthem is playing. If you don't, though, remember that you have the right to do that because of our military.

On that note, my grampa, the retired USMC Captain, is giving a speech tonight, so I'm out!

I had never really thought about it from that perspective. Thanks for the insight!

 

[StageTek]

No Military Brat here. Just your average American citizen. I
missed the draft by one year and never enlisted. I grew up in a
“hippy” antiwar family.

That ceremony moved me to tears. I made a point of heading over to
MK each day I was there for it.

I’ve traveled to many other countries and when ever I found myself
in the presence of locals showing respect to their Flag and
country I paused to do the same.

We live in a different society now. Since the 1960’s patriotism
has waned and has become something many think of as foolish.
Patriotism isn’t something people of my generation (college age
1975/1985) think of as important so we didn’t raise our children
with that sense of respect.

I, too, felt is was inconsiderate for guests to not pause and show
their respect if they happened to be in the area during the Flag
lowering.

 

[Chelley00]

Marine brat here, and it drove me nuts that people didn't stop, especially the guy we saw that had on an American flag t-shirt, but walked right past the ceremony talking loudly on his cell phone.

 

[pwdebbie]

I wasn't even aware that there was a flag retreat until we were in the right place at the right time. It moved us both to tears. Everyone around us stood respectfully.

Deb
POFQ, Oct. 2007

 

[Nancyg56]

I was privileged to see the Flag Retreat one time and it moved me to tears. I always stop when the Flag passes and cannot help but hold my hand over my heart, I was raised that way.

I have two nephews serving in the USMC, both have had overseas tours and I am not sure if I am more emotional now because of their service, but even reading this thread has me teary. I am in awe of this magnificent symbol of our freedom and of the men and women who stand watch so that others can voice opinions that are reprehensible to me.

 

[Yen Sid]

I have seen it numerous times and always stop and now thanks to changes in the rules according to the American Legion I can salute like I did when I was in the Army, always liked saluting the flag better than hand on chest. One of these years when I build up the courage i am going to volunteer to participate in the flag retreat.

 

[ms_missy66]

I feel like a total Disney dolt, but where and when is this done? I'd love to take my family.

 

[ryannsmom]

You definitely should do this ceremony. My father and brother in law were both in the military and were able to participate. It was definitely a very emotional heart felt ceremony. They each received a pin and certificate along with a photo of them. It is very touching and it makes you stop and think about the men and women that are keeping us safe!

 

[ntsammy5]

We're a military family through and through. I totally agree that it would be nice if these people would stop and pay their respects as we do. However, those women and men also fought so they'd have the freedom to go on about their day.

EXACTLY!