Honoring Heroes: Disney Celebrates Veterans and Their Families in November
As National Veterans and Military Families Month arrives each November, The Walt Disney Company deepens its commitment to honoring the military veterans and families who have served our country.
Honor, respect, and appreciation can be traced back to Walt and Roy Disney. Both were veterans of World War I.
Disney has created a legacy of support for service members that continues today, as countless veterans find a second home at Disney.
This November, Disney is proud to spotlight a series of meaningful initiatives that celebrate veterans in the company and the community.
November 4: Disney VoluntEARS event with USO at Disneyland
Disney
Cast members packed an impressive 2,000 United Service Organizations (USO)care kits during a Disney VoluntEARS event at Disneyland Resort. These kits will be sent to deployed service members around the globe.
Disney has assembled more than 21,000 USO care kits this year.
November 7-11: ESPN’s Veterans Week Initiatives
In honor of Veterans Day, ESPN will recognize veterans and active members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
From November 7-11, ESPN features a week of programming, including the SportsCenter Veterans Day Special Presented by USAA, which aired on Friday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and will air again on Sunday, November 17, at 2 p.m. on ABC.
The 30-minute program originates from Kannapolis, North Carolina and focuses on military-themed features.
Photo: Disney
November 11: Veterans Day Events
November 11th featured many special events to honor veterans. The NYC Veterans Day Parade was featured in a live broadcast celebrating the 105th annual event.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort featured a Veterans Day Flag Retreat where selected Disney cast members (who are also veterans) were recognized and took part in a special annual Flag Retreat ceremony.
In Disneyland Resort, the flag retreat ceremony included 150 cast members marching down Main Street, U.S.A.
Photo: Disney
November 12: Walt Disney World Resort/Fisher House Orlando Holiday Veterans Event
Walt Disney World Resort just hosted its annual holiday outreach event at Orlando Fisher House. This organization provides a “home away from home” for military and veteran families. They stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving medical treatment at a nearby VA hospital.
November 12: Disney Consumer Products/Blue Star Families VoluntEARS Event
Another great event! Disney VoluntEARS and SALUTE members in Glendale assembled 500 care packages filled with Disney home goods and other goodies for Blue Star Families.
These volunteers welcomed military families with care packages and daily necessities as they transitioned into new communities. Many of the care packages will be sent to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, to help families impacted by the recent hurricanes.
Late November: Disneyland Resort Honors 101-year-old World War II veteran
Disneyland Resort will host a unique flag retreat honoring World War II veteran U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jake Larson. This honored veteran went through six battles, including storming Omaha Beach on D-Day and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.
Disney
Disney is recognized as one of the top 25 companies that hire veterans according to the 2024 Military Times “Best for Vets” employers rankings. It continues its tradition of saluting U.S. military service members, veterans, and their families.
Stay tuned, and be sure to follow along with us at MickeyBlog to stay updated on this and all things Disney.
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Article Source/ Feature Photo: Walt Disney Company
