Flag Retreat

[maleficent_man]

Hey

I was reading some info yesterday and came across the fact that there is (or was) a flag retreat each day in MK and that certain lucky guest(s) get to take part (I was attracted by the lure of a special pin!!)

Does anyone know anything about this or if it is still running?

Nick

 

[carolfoy]

I'm sure i read somewhere that it was veterans only that did the retreat, may be wrong???

 

[Sian]

I think the people invited to take part are American forces veterans who can register their interest in being involved.I watched this once and it was quite interesting. Strange that they salute out of uniform.

 

[maleficent_man]

Oh okay - I suppose that makes sense!! I would hate to miss out on something!!

 

[BONZO]

If you are staying at WL you can ask to be the "Flag family" and get up at the crack of dawn to help / watch the flag being raised.

(not sure if they still do this now - but you'd need to ask at reception).

I don't think there are any special pins / certificates for this though.

 

[tink too]

We rushed to the hub at MK to see this a while back (it happened around 5pm) and although it was nice to see once, I wouldn't bother again. It only lasted about 5 minutes and the servicemen couldn't seem to march off fast enough once the flag was down!

 

[tim june and sam]

Funny that we Brits are ambivalent to the ceremony, but I make a point of seeing whenever I am in MK during recent visits....

To cut a long story short, I had seen it once in the 90's and found it an interesting thing to see the local guests putting their hand to their heart whilst "The Star Spangled Banner" was played. However, we visited Orlando just a fortnight or so after 9/11 in 2001 and found it a very touching thing to see them expressing their loyalty to the nation they live in. It was a hard time for them, but seeing grown men in tears as they sang to their national anthem was strangely very moving.

Since then, I've made a point of being present to just remember that visit and them feelings.

Couldn't see us Brits doing the same to "God Save the Queen" though?