Thank You Veterans – Disney Flag Retreat Ceremonies
Thank you to all our Veterans. The Disney Parks hold events throughout the year honor veterans and their service. This includes nightly flag retreat ceremonies at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. On Veterans day these ceremonies are extended and feature a thank you to cast members who are veterans. At Disneyland they also present a challenge coin to a Veteran before the ceremony. Here are some pictures from the Sept 11th Ceremony this year.
Today the Disneyland Ceremony is at 3:30 in Town Square. If you are in the park stop by it is a very well done tribute.
In 2013 the Los Angeles Daily News ran a story on Earnie Napper who is a Disneyland Security Cast Member who has a special connection to the ceremony. Click here to read their story.
Below is a look at the 2011 Veterans Day Ceremony at Disneyland and then clips from various flag retreats from the parks.
I was in France to visit Disneyland Paris in early October and took a day trip to the D-Day Beaches in Normandy. While there we stopped at the US Cemetery and witnessed their nightly flag retreat too. If you are interested in this here is a direct link to the trip report and then pictures/video from the day.
A Veterans Day Flag Retreat Ceremony from 2011:
The Disneyland Band performing during the Flag Retreat including the Armed Forces Medley:
The All American College Band performing the National Anthem:
For a brief time Disney California Adventure had a retreat, they no longer do this, the flag is lit and stays up all the time.
The flag retreat ceremony honors veterans and active duty personnel throughout the year. Here is a video of a special Flag Retreat Ceremony at Disneyland honoring Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta and Silver Star recipient U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Erick Gallardo from Wednesday, January 12, 2011 –