Last year, our family spent Memorial Day at Walt Disney World. You'd think the parks would be crowded on this holiday that coincides with the start of summer vacation for many areas. Not so! Crowds were actually quite manageable. But I digress...
I wanted to draw attention to a little ceremony that happens every day at WDW, but has special meaning on this holiday of remembrance: Flag Retreat. Each day, usually at 5:00 p.m., there is a ceremony in the Magic Kingdom to take down the flag that waves on Main Street. And each day a war veteran is chosen to participate. The Main Street Philharmonic offer a medley of patriotic tunes, and the flag is then lowered and folded in the traditional triangle (in deference to the tri-cornered hats worn by colonial soldiers). Finally, it is presented to the veteran being honored that day.
The ceremony is solemn and yet doesn't seem out of place, despite the gaity and levity that surrounds it. If you've never had the opportunity to view this patriotic tribute, I encourage you to make it a goal on your next visit.
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