Daily Flag Retreat Ceremony at Walt Disney World® Resort
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by DVP Laura Liden
Since October 1, 1971, each day at 5 pm, the flag on Main Street USA is ceremoniously retired in a big way. Sadly, in all my years of visiting, I only saw this for the first time this past December. It’s a little known gem at Magic Kingdom and something I really wish I had seen sooner. For a little daily event, there is much pomp and circumstance. It all begins in the hours surrounding park opening when Cast Members silently search for an unsuspecting veteran who is chosen to be “Veteran of the Day.” How this person is chosen can vary and I found conflicting information on various sites on the internet, so I went to the one person I know who would have some personal insight in this – someone I introduced you to last week – my friend and fellow former Cast Member, Leslie. Since she had worked Main Street Operations on College Program, it made sense she would probably have been a part of this a time or two. Sure enough, I was right. 
But, back to the Flag Retreat. Once a veteran was
chosen, they are asked to return to Town Square by 4:45 pm that day,
where they will be given instructions. While it all seems to be an
“event,” there is a very simple process. The band is spread out on and
below the train platform. Cast Members form 2 lines facing each other
and blocking the path to the flag pole. Next three members of Magic
Kingdom Security Detail, along with the veteran join the line closest to
the flag pole. The veteran’s family stands nearby with the Dapper Dans
acapela group. The band marches through the lines and the Cast Members
follow, along with security and the veteran. At this point, the Pledge
of Allegiance is said and a single trumpet sounds retreat. Next the flag
is lowered as the band plays “The Star Spangled Banner”.
At this point, security folds the flag as the Dapper Dans
sing “God Bless America”. Once folded, the flag is presented to the veteran who
is introduced to the crowd by name and hometown. Finally there is a short
procession down Main Street along with an announcement to the crowd that this
is the Honorary Veteran of the Day. He/she is presented with a Magical Moments
certificate commemorating this along with a Veteran of the Day pin. Photopass
photographers also capture the ceremony and the participant does receive a
complimentary 8x10 along with the photos on the photopass card.
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To me, this was an incredibly moving ceremony. While it only last 15 minutes, it can reduce many people to tears. Leslie shared one of her most memorable stories from a Flag Retreat with me: “One day in particular stands out because we hadn’t yet found a vet for the day and it was about 3:45. We were on the lookout for a vet and accidentally found two. Neither had ever seen the flag lowering, so they didn’t know it was odd (to have two)…so we made it up as we went along. Turns out one was a Vietnam vet and one was an Iraq vet and their wives stood off to the side taking pictures and talking. When the ceremony took place, the Vietnam vet’s wife started crying…her husband never liked to talk about being in Vietnam because of the country’s reaction, and this was the first time he felt honored as a Vietnam vet. The Iraq vet’s wife had a completely different perspective since Iraq vets are always so well received. They hugged each other and both cried while their men lowered the flag. It was amazing!” |
So, it’s safe to say the experience is moving for all
involved, from the vet, to the Cast Members, to the guests watching. I know it
gave me chills (not just because it was 30-some degrees out that day) and
brought tears to my eyes when we saw it in December. I highly recommend taking
the 15 minutes out of your day to witness this at least once. You won’t regret
it!
