September 11th-Flag Retreat Ceremony

[Blueberry]

We were in the Mk on September 11, 2001 and I will always associate 9/11 with being at WDW in my mind.

Since we vacation often in September we have made it a point to go to the Flag Retreat Ceremony to honor all our fallen heroes and all those who tragically lost their lives that day almost 4 years ago now. This will be our third year attending the Retreat and it is a tradition we hope to continue.

Do any of the rest of you who were at WDW on 9/11 attend the Flag Retreat if you are at WDW again?

Are any DISers planning to attend as a patriotic thing to do on that day??

 

[kona-kraft]

We will be there that day, but am not familiar where this is located.

Can you please give us more information on this??

Thanks,

 

[edingerc]

There's only one flag in MK, right in front of Main Street. All other 'flags' you see in the park are actually banners. They have 14 or 12 stripes, so that Disney doesn't have to take them down at night or in the rain.

 

[safetymom]

It is at the flag pole as you enter MK. It is a great ceremony.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Since 9/11/01 we've been back to Disney but not on Sept 11. This year we will be there. What time is the Flag Retreat Ceremony? We'll definitely be there. My youngest was 8 at the time and remembers vividly where we were when Disney evacuated the parks. Since we had left the room so early that morning I had never bothered to turn on the TV. My DD17 and DD15 had been at MGM and were on the their way to BB when they turned the bus to drop each guest at their resorts. We had rented a SUV for the trip and I returned it 3 days early because I knew people were trying to rent cars to get home since no Airlines were operating.
I think we'll make ribbon pins to wear like we did after 9/11.

 

[jkmmah]

The flag retreat ceremony is at 5 pm every day at MK.

My dh, as an active duty service member, got to participate in the flag retreat on our last trip. I had called ahead and requested a particular day for him to assist. It was very moving for him, especially as I kept it a surprise. He has wonderful memories of it. I'm so glad we did this.

 

[Blueberry]

As someone said it is at 5pm at the flagpole right in front of the Train Station in the Magic Kingdom. The Flagpole is right in the middle of the small park area which has the black iron fences around it.

It is a nice little ceremony where the WDW Band, Disney Security and a chosen member from the Guests that day take down the flag before sunset. Patriotic music is played and the flag is presented to the guest who was chosen to participate to carry out in the ceremony.

We attend it every trip, even if it is not 9/11 but we do make plans to be there when we are at WDW over 9/11 each trip. That day is still very fresh in our minds and we want to honor all our heroes and citizens whom we lost so tragically that day...

 

[undertheseas]

I wish I would have thought about it sooner and I would have arranged our ADR later so we could see the ceremony. 9-11 was my son's first birthday and I always remember when we celebrate to remember those fallen heros who didn't get another birthday party with their families. I think I'll push our ADR back so that we can attend, I want my kids to know what a wonderful country we live in. When DS was born we thought it was a perfect date because my dad and BIL are firemen, after 9-11 we found out that date really does prove the bravery of all emergency workers and even everyday heros.

 

[Blueberry]

Ok..since someone posted there 9/11 story here is mine, in a short concise manner.

We were in the MK on 9/11, very few people there as it was low value season and we walked from ride to ride with no wait. It was I guess around 9:20am or so when we first heard from a CM in a gift shop asked my DH if he had any news about the attacks. Of course we had no clue what the CM was talking about.

My DH (who is retired military) called his office back home in VA and they filled him in on what was happening. We just sat down on a bench and tried to figure out what we should do. We sorta watched word spread among the guests that day and there were soon lines at every pay phone with people trying to call airlines and all. Our cell phone stopped working as so many were on them trying to call home and the cell system was overwhelmed.

We decided to leave the parks and go back to our hotel when the announcement was made they were closing the parks and to proceed to the exits. As we got to the Exit the CMs were handing out one day tickets to compensate people for their loss of their admission for that day.

Everytime we walk by our bench where we sat that day, we think of 9/11 and I say a quick prayer for all our lost people..may they rest in peace.

I still get teary eyed thinking of that awful day, which is why the Flag Retreat Ceremony is so important to me.

On 9/12 in Epcot there was a huge crowd when the Fife and Drum Corps played outside of the American Adventure (I cried through all of that) It was so good to hear the crowd that day go into the "USA, USA" chant. I bought a flag pin at the gift shop that day and I have worn it so much in the last four years....we will NEVER FORGET!!!