This topic may sound a bit strange, but it is relevant.

 

Walt Disney always was patriot. He dropped out of high school when he was 16 and tried to enlist in the Army during WW1 but was rejected due to his age, but he did a job working for the Red Cross as an ambulance driver. In WW2 he made many films for the military for training and entertainment for the troops. From day one when Disneyland opened in 1955 the American Flag has been raised in the morning and lowered at night according to proper flag protocols rain or shine and it continues on today. Starting in 2005 Disneyland started doing a special daily celebration for "Retiring the Flag" with the Disneyland Band playing our National Anthem and other patriotic music. One of the things that they also do is to play the anthems for each branch of our Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines & Coast Guard) and invite all those who have served or are actively serving in the military to come forward and stand around the flag pole when their specific anthem is played. 
 

My wife Tami and I both grew up about 20 minutes from Disneyland and I worked at Disneyland for 2 years as a senior in high school and my first year of college. We have carried Disneyland Passes for many years and go to Disneyland as often as we can as we both love walking around there. Whenever we are there and can make the time work it out we love to go to the "Retiring the Flag" ceremony. Being that you have many people from all over the United States and from many countries around the world, you have many people who have no clue about what is happening during the "Retiring the Flag" ceremony. Some people are are offended by it. Some people mock it. But for those who love this country and understand what our American Flag stands for as well as for the sacrifice and service that has been made and continues to be made by our men and women who serve and served in the Armed Forces, it is something very special and precious.

Here is a picture from the Flag Retiring we were at last night. There were a lot of strange looks by people passing by, but also a lot of teary eyes on the men and women who were there remembering. Below are a couple of links with a bit more information. One is an article written a few years ago from a local newspaper. Also there is a short video as well.

 

So thank you to all you vets and active service men and women.

http://www.ocweekly.com/news/disneylands-flag-retreat-semper-gunny-6441002
 

 

 

Edited January 5, 20179 yr by Allen Worsham
Photo

That' has to be an event worth seeing. Thanks for the post. 

Thanks Allen, that is really neat, I had no idea Disney made a production like for the retiring our flag. Strange looks, offended? Hmmmm. Now that perplexes me.

24 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Thanks Allen, that is really neat, I had no idea Disney made a production like for the retiring our flag. Strange looks, offended? Hmmmm. Now that perplexes me.

Same here.

I think that those who mock it should be shown the exit immediately, and not to just Disneyland

31 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Strange looks, offended? Hmmmm. Now that perplexes me.

Considering that California is very left leaning and politically correct and with a very large LGTB community, there are some who have little respect for our country, its foundation and our military.

Well said, Allen. Sad, but true.

I am a veteran, Army infantry, '68-'70. I didn't fight for the flag. I fought to do the mission, stay alive, and keep my buddies alive. I think much of the flag ceremonies today is flag worship. Sometimes I salute and other times I don't. I am not offended by anyone who does or does not, and I don't belittle them in any way. I have friends who are left and right, who are straight or in the LGBT community, religious and not religious, and they have also served, some in combat. Some are dead. All of us are Americans. Please stop the judgement.

 

hat

No offense intended Hat, and no judgement or flag worship here either. Just observations over the years of different people's actions and reactions dealing with views about our country, our military and our vets, especially here in Southern California. There is a lot of hate and anger out there and living here in So. Cal there is much anger and hate here verbalized and acted on towards our country, our military , our law enforcement and our first respoders.

 

We moved to our current home 16 years ago. My wife and I werer involved 7 of those years in youth ministry and have had many kids live with us due to many different issues in their family and personal lives and we have had a few of them that were gay or lesbian and were turned out by their parents. My wife and I have always dealt with the kid's need for safety first before their lifestyle choices. We have never turned them away as every kid that comes through our door is one of our kids and love them like our own. We don't have to agree with each kid's view of politics or lifestyle, we just have to agree that they are in need of help and we are willing to help them. So again, no judgement here.