Disney security folding the Flag on Veterans Day . PHOTO BY DANNY SHUSTER
“ It wasn ’ t my toddler ’ s first ride that started the waterworks but the salute of a veteran under the stars and stripes , waving majestically in the wind , that did me in .”
One of the many bonds between Disney fans and military families lies with traditions . There ’ s importance in traditions , acting as a thread that connects generations and cultures . Shared experiences form bonds and are worth acts of remembrance . The names of all the veteran Cast Members who participated in the solo services during the 2020 park closure were placed in a shadow box that sits in the security office at Magic Kingdom . When the park reopened , a new flag was raised .
THE PATRIOT Cappy was proud to tell me about Disney ’ s strong military ties that have lasted for more than a century .
“ The Walt Disney Company has had a long admiration and respect for those who serve in the U . S . Armed Forces that dates to the founding of our company in the 1920s ,” he said .
Before starting the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in 1923 , an eager Walt wanted to follow in the military-issued footsteps of his brothers during the First World War . While too young to join the service , Walt did join the Red Cross Ambulance Corps and deployed to France near the end of the war . Walt would later tell his daughters that his time spent in France in 1918 changed his outlook on life .
A couple of decades later , Walt , recognizing the profound impact of the attack on Pearl Harbor , took an extraordinary step to align “ almost 100 % of his studio ’ s resources with the war effort , entirely at no profit ,” Cappy told WDW Magazine . The Disney Studios in Burbank , California , redirected the magicmaking machinery into a military base overnight . From creating training films to finding ways to raise morale of the troops , it was all hands on deck from the Disney Studios team . Walt and and his animators also created more than 1,200 military logos and insignia for service branches around the world .
As part of the WWII efforts , Walt ’ s team designed the Toys for Tots logo . © DISNEY
Although he never saw combat , you can ’ t help but think the time Walt spent as an ambulance driver with the Red Cross gave him a window into the efforts of patriotic teamwork that it takes when building a common goal — a theme that would make an appearance later when choosing veterans to spearhead developments of the parks in the 1950s . Rear Admiral Joe Fowler served in the United States Navy during both World Wars , but it was his skills in naval architecture that had Walt Disney knocking at his door to oversee the construction of Disneyland Park . If you ’ ve ever ridden the ferry over to Magic Kingdom from the parking lot , chances are good that you were on a vessel named after Admiral Fowler : Two out of three boats are named after veterans .
The Admiral Fowler honors Disney Legend and U . S . Navy veteran Rear Admiral Joe Fowler . PHOTO BY JUDD HELMS