slightly off topic - contacting Disney for widow of soldier

[tiggertabi]

On Tuesday, a good friend of mine found out her husband was killed in Afghanistan. She has a toddler son. Needless to say, we are all devastated for their family. Her husband, was supposed to be home in June. He was recently home and got to spend some time with her, and had just returned.

I just want to do something for her. I don't know what to do to help her, especially because she has so much family around I know her basic needs were taken care of. But I know her family had planned to go to Disney when he returned. So I was thinking perhaps I could contact Disney and see if they could do something for the family. I just don't know who or what to call for this type of thing, or if it's even a feasible idea/option. Ideas??

 

[disneymarie]

I had the same idea and emailed Disney with the thoughts and asked if they had any programs for families this happens to. They responded while there were saddened about the situation that they do not provide this service.

They just advised that we receive emails to watch for favorable promotions.
So sad for their family, I am sure when he left none of them that this would happen. It just breaks your heart.
I hope that this practice has changed for this family.

Perhaps the unit has something they can do to assist, or the community?
My prayers are with their family and I hope they can go on to make new memories and cherish the old ones.
Di

 

[esk]

Please be there for her, 6 months from now, when all the well-wishers have gone away. The military provides excellent support for the first couple of weeks/months but then, the military moves on, and the familes are often forgotten as the family moves away, people move to different bases, etc.

If they were planning a trip before he was killed, she may not be ready to go to Disney for a long time, because it would make her think of the memories they would have made, that now she'll never have.

 

[two-foxes]

It never hurts to contact Disney....things may have changed or they may have not, but it never hurts to ask. As a famous DisPodcaster once said, "They won't hit you for asking!" I would certainly ask if I were in your shoes, however. Although it is a bit of a different situation, I was going to call for a friend of mine who had a trip booked to WDW for their family, and tragically, her 18 month old son was killed a month of so before they left. They still went, to keep things as "normal" as possible for their 3 YO DD, and I regret never calling to see if Disney could do anything special for them or for their DD. So, my point is, just call...that way, you will know for sure or you can get info on anything special that YOU can do for them if she decides to go in the future.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I wonder if it would possible for WDW to guarantee the military offer (don't know how good it is or isn't) for this family when they are ready to use it...even if it is a year or 2 from now...at the same cost as this years prices (cause we all know they only go up).

 

[tiggertabi]

I wonder if it would possible for WDW to guarantee the military offer (don't know how good it is or isn't) for this family when they are ready to use it...even if it is a year or 2 from now...at the same cost as this years prices (cause we all know they only go up).

This, at least, is a great idea and one I will keep in mind! I know they won't be ready to go to Disney, but I also know that they were so excited that this promotion was running for when Bubba got home in June.

 

[clutter]

FYI, I saw the news report on your friend last night. I'm so sorry, it was so sad.

(You may want to consider changing the details of his story to protect the family's privacy.)

 

[Jitzy]

This is the name of a charity that sends service members spouse (widows/widowers since 9/11)and children to Disneyland. This is a very special program. Please check it out!!!

 

[ryanshana]

When a soldier is killed at war aren't they considered retired? I really thought that...therefore wouldn't she qualify for the military discount? GL to OP such a sweet thing you are doing