Flag Retreat opinion

I was a military wife and I always tear up when the flag goes by me in a parade or I hear the "Stars Spangled Banner" at the ball games. I have always wanted to catch this ceremony. I understand they used to release dozens of white homing pigeons that would fly home somewhere behind the castle. They say it was a sight to see. Because it happened at the same time every day the hawks soon began to come by to wait for their evening meal.
 
OP, very well said. From what I have seen on these boards in the past, I don't think you will gat many, if any, flames. I have not seen the Retreat Ceremony at Disney but have heard many good things about it. I have seen the same disrespect at Seaworld. Every morning, they play the National Anthem and most people stop and render honors, but there are always a few who appear to be American who just keep on walking and pay no attention. As another poster has stated, many soldiers have fought and made the ultimate sacrifice so that people can be free to do these things, its a shame that these people can't spare a few minutes to respect that sacrifice.
 
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!

I agree. I signed my BIL up to do this in April. He is a very funny guy, always joking around. But during the ceremony he was so focused. He had a straight face and had tears in his eyes. It meant so much to him.
We will try to catch the ceremony on our next trip.
 
not a military brat, but raised by an ex-ranger and married one as well. patriotism is taught.

we as a family catch the flag retreat at least once each trip and someday hope to have my husband chosen as the veteran of the day for this special honor. (i would love to have my husband and my son do it together. son is on his way to being an eagle scout. scouting only bolsters the taught patriotism that my son has instilled in him.)

we also hope to one day stay at the wilderness lodge and be chosen as the family that gets to raise the flag there in the morning.

i don't really let it bother me that others pass by as we pause to honor our country's flag and the service of the person partisipating that day. there are many of lifes "roses" that others do not stop to smell. this one matters very much to those in my family.
 

I have never been in the military and don't have any military people in my family, but I sure stop to place my hand over my heart when the Pledge is said or the National Anthem is sung. I even put my hand over my heart each time the Anthem was sung when we won an olympic medal. ;)

I agree with the OP, it is rude. A lot of people have died and continue to die for our freedom and I love our country - I would not want to live anywhere else. When the Anthem is sung, I cry each time.
 
I would encourage all of the service personnel that have served to try and participate as the Veteran of the Day. It was most definitely the highlight of our September 2007 trip to have my Dad participate in the Flag retreat. Lots of tears from us given that we couldn't be more proud of him and our country!
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Not a military brat, but just a kid who was taught that when the Star Spangled Banner is being played you stop walking. And when the pledge is being said, you stand. Whether at Disney or a ball game, it drives me nuts when people are moving about or talking during these ceremonies. Just as its my right to pay tribute to the flag, its their right not to I guess, but it doesnt mean I have to like it....
 
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we as a family catch the flag retreat at least once each trip and someday hope to have my husband chosen as the veteran of the day for this special honor. (i would love to have my husband and my son do it together. son is on his way to being an eagle scout. scouting only bolsters the taught patriotism that my son has instilled in

On the first day of your trip go to City Hall in MK and ask if you can sign them up to do the ceremony. When I did this in April the CM pulled out a calendar and found a day that was not taken and she wrote BIL's name in.
Now I do not know what they do when no one has requested it? Find a veteran amongst the crowd?
 
Flag retreat moves us to tears. does anyone know how to request (before hand) being part of the ceremony. I was told by a CM that you can call and request it but he gave me the wrong #. The main guest relations can't help either. Anyone have any ideas?
 
As a former soldier who has had the honor to be part of the flag ceremony I agree 100% with you.

Please pay your respects to the flag, those who stand for the flag and those who have fallen for it as well.
 
Another Army brat and I still stop and pay my respects to the flag.
 
Flag retreat moves us to tears. does anyone know how to request (before hand) being part of the ceremony. I was told by a CM that you can call and request it but he gave me the wrong #. The main guest relations can't help either. Anyone have any ideas?

I went to City Hall to do it. Is there a phone number for City Hall? Anyone know?
 
Since the word 'opinion' was given in the title of this thread, I feel it is open to discussion. Here goes:

Yes, I stand for the Pledge, I stand for the Anthem. Most times my eyes get watery as well, thinking of all the people who have died during wars and other deadly conflicts. But I'm not just thinking of the soldiers, I'm thinking of the children on both sides who have had their lives changed for better or worse. I'm thinking of the hate that tends to be stirred to boiling during war. I'm thinking about people that believe you have to be a rabid patriot to be a true American. I'm thinking about all the deception behind the current war, the young men and women who have died in Iraq, the lives torn apart on both sides.

Yes, these young men and women who have died deserve our respect, and yes, these men and women at WDW participating in the flag retreat also deserve our respect. But I do not judge those who do not stop, who do not pay attention, who do not feel the need to stop in this public showing of patriotism. I pray that some day we have no nations, no flags, no need to fight each other at all.

Maybe those people walking by are the first glimmer of this, although everyone here seems to feel they are horrible people. Maybe they just don't want to have patriotism shoved down their throats, to have that constant 'we are the all powerful, we'll wipe you out if you touch us' attitude thrown in the face. Patriotism has come down to some pretty petty stuff lately, no wonder people are shying away from it.

So, please, while it is a very powerful, amazing thing to respect your country, and those that have served (and people have served in so many ways, not just in the military) and have lost their lives, take a moment to think about what this planet could be if we didn't have flags or patriotism.

I respect people's right to salute the flag, join the military, honor those who have served, and I also respect the right not to do that. It's what makes the USA rather unique, and very special. I'm very grateful to all the people who have sacrificed in so many ways so that I can make that choice.

What really amazes me are the people who show disrespect in the name of 'Patriotism' - that doesn't seem like true patriotism to me at all. There's certainly no dignity to it, and it belittles the ones who have given so much up so that we have the lives we have.
 
I don't feel anyone is horrible.

I agree that people are being disrespectful to the flag though.

That doesn't translate into someone being horrible because they are being disrespectful. Nor does someone pointing out people being disrespectful in this instance translate to an idea of them shoving patriotism down their throats.

U.S. Flag Etiquette isn't something that is shoved down ones throat. It's an honor as an American to have in place. The same should hold true for any of us as Americans who find themselves in the presence of another nations flag ceremony. Regardless of our nationality it's about basic respect. I have a few friends who have just become American citizens and they can almost quote (this below) word for word.


U.S. Flag Etiquette

The display of the Stars and Stripes is strictly regulated by the Flag Code. (See U.S. Flag Etiquette for some guidelines of the Code.) Except where for special reasons, as at the Capital, it is kept flying day and night, it is flown only during the hours of daylight. Solely as a signal of dire distress is it to be inverted, and no other flag, except during Divine Service, the Naval Church Pennant (a blue Latin Cross placed horizontally on a white field), may be flown above it. When the National flag is ceremonially paraded or hoisted or lowered, all present must face it and stand to attention: those in uniform salute, others place the right hand over the heart, men holding the hat in the right hand. Foreigners, however, should stand to attention. On suitable occasions the Pledge to the Flag is to be repeated etc etc etc.......




BTW... I don't believe in the war we're in either. As a former Paratrooper who served with and supported many a soldier who has been hurt, killed or forgotten by this conflict. But the flag still flies every day at my home.
 

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