Veteran's Flag Ceremony.... Help

[sconstantz]

I know I read on these boards about someone having a family member participate in the taking down the flag at MK (I think by the liberty area), and that a veteran is the person to take down the flag.

We will be at WDW from Jan 8 to Jan. 16. With us will be MANY Family members, including my father and my uncle, who served together in the Navy. My father is a vet from the Korean and the Viet Nam wars. Spent 20+ years in the Navy, and retired as a Master Chielf. We would like to surprise my uncle and my father by getting them to be the veteran of the day. It would really be special to them. And so many of our family members would be there to watch and support them.

Does anyone know how to make this happen? Can I call anyone before our trip? Or while we are there? I am thinking it is probably hard for the CM's to know who is a veteran, so wouldn't they like you to call and request to be part of this special celebration? Or are they not doing it anymore?

ANY HELP would be appreciated. Or just tell me how you or a family were picked. Or if you have seen this ceremony, please tell us about it.

Thanks in advance,

shelly

 

[mjslvswdw1]

Shelly,

My family and I were in WDW for my wedding in October and my sister nominated my dad a former Marine and Vietnam vet for Veteran of the day. She and my parents were in the MK on Halloween, and she went into guest services on Main Street and asked if there was a veteran nominated yet, and there wasn't anyone scheduled so he was picked.
The flag ceremony takes place on Main Street at 5pm every day. The band plays and there are 3 Disney Security guards and the veteran. After they take down the flag they fold it and one of the security guards makes an announcement of who the vet is where he/she is from, what branch they served in, rank and if they served in a war.
After the ceremony they give the vet a Veteran of the Day pin and there is a photographer there who takes pictures and they give you a picture.
I have to say it is one of the most moving and beautiful things that could happen to a vet. Disney goes out of there way to make the veterans feel special and it is pure magic. My father said it is one of the nicest things that has ever happened to him...I hope you can make it happen!

 

[sconstantz]

Thanks for the info MJSL....

I really appreciate it. Does anyone know if we can call in advance of our trip? Or would we have to nominate at Guest Services when we are down there? If we can call, do you know who we could call?

We are trying to keep this a secret from my father and uncle, and surprise them with it. It would be easier (for planning purposes) to be able to talk to someone in advance. But if we have to wait until we are there, we could do that to.

Anyone else participate in this event?

shelly

 

[LibertyBelle]

This was from a previous thread:

Veteran of the Day is done with flag retreat at MK it is at either 5pm or 5:30pm depending on the time of year. You can call 407-824-2222, this is the Disney operator. Ask them to be connected to City Hall... they will ask you WHY as they are supposed to try and answer the question before connecting you. Advise them that you are interested in veteran of the day and you were advised the you needed to contact City Hall directly as they have to sign up information.

In all actuality Verteran of the Day is run by Main Street Operation, not City Hall, but the book is in the City Hall building. Some people have tried calling and have been told that veteran of the day is completely random and/or that you have to come to City Hall on the day of as there is no way to sign up ahead of time... This is not true, it is just that most CM's don't know that there is a book for this and again it is not technically City Hall that is in charge of it. If you have problems advise them that you were informed that the Administrative Assistant has the information and could they check with him.

Just wanted to give you the WHOLE scenario as I have had some DISers very discouraged with their phone calls

The ceremony is very nice and can be very touching. Some veterans come in full uniform, others do not, it is not required. They will assist the Magic Kingdom Security Color Guard with the flag retreat and at the end they receive a certificate and a pin. Good luck guys...

Here is the link if you want to read it all
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=703761

 

[sconstantz]

That is exactly what I needed!!! I tried calling yesterday and was connected to at least 5 differant dept.'s. Everyone was helpful, but no one knew who/where/what we should be talking to!!!

I will try this today and see what kind of respose we get. I'll keep eveyone posted.

Thanks, shelly

 

[LibertyBelle]

If you have any trouble getting it set up please PM me and let me know, I work Main Street operations and could send you a different direction...(if you have trouble with this one)

 

[Boston Tea Party]

This may be a little off, but does anyone know if the procedure is the same for Disneyland?

Thanks!

 

[Juniper]

Our entire family gathered at the Magic Kingdom last February and Mom wanted to do something special for Dad's birthday. Just through random chance; she arranged to have him be Veteran Of The Day and it truly was the greatest day we've ever spend at Disney. They gave him the full military treatment while we watched, the certificate, an extremely rare collectable pin, took free photographs of him alone, standing with Mom and of the entire family. Granted, we all purchased copies of the pictures at an additional fee; but only because it was such a memorable experience. The Disney Captain of The Guard even mentioned that they've never heard of the pins changing hands or even seen one for sale on Ebay. In a Disney world of assembly line treatment and anonymous park guests; the entire family felt like royalty the rest of the day.

 

[foxfire]

If you have any trouble getting it set up please PM me and let me know, I work Main Street operations and could send you a different direction...(if you have trouble with this one)

LibertyBelle, I just want to say "Thank You". You helped me with this a while back (you probably don't remember it though!) and my dad was Veteran of the Day on November 28. We kept this a secret from him for 18 months and it was a very special highlight of our trip.
Flag is being lowered

My dad holding the folded flag

A big plus from all of this is that we've become friends with a very nice CM. I don't know if you've heard about the special shirts we wore that day or not. If you haven't, ask the CM about it...there are pics! If you'd like to see them, PM me and I'll send you a couple of them. I've been looking for a post from you since this all happened so I could tell you how much I appreciate your help but this is the first time I've seen you post in a while.