A very special event at Disneyland (Read 352 times)

If you have ever been to Disneyland, you probably noticed there is a flagpole at the foot of Main Street, in front of the Disneyland Railroad Station.
Every evening a Retreat/Retire the Colors Ceremony is held at the flagpole.
The flagpole sits in the middle of a round garden spot, with the lower loop of Main Street circling it.
Before the ceremony begins, the color guard walks around shaking hand with all the veterans inside the enclosure.
One of the color guard leaders is a retired Marine Gunny, and looks like he could still do the job.
I met him at the park about 12 years ago, his name is Ernie, or Gunny.
When it is time, this varies from day-to-day, the Disneyland Barbershop Quartet walks in to the area, and they position behind the flagpole.
Then the Disneyland Color Guard positions themselves behind the quartet.
Some nights the Disneyland Marching Band, resplendent in white uniforms, marches to the enclosure and stands behind and around the quartet.
After a couple of patriotic songs are preformed, the color guard marches to the station side of the flagpole, with military precision, as a trumpet plays To the Colors.
With great care and precision, the head of the color guard undoes the halyard from the cleat.
Then the head of the color guard calls “Hand Salute”, and all the retired military, and probably others, snap to attention and render a hand salute.
The Standard is lowered with full military precision and respect, by the head of the color guard.
As the flag gets low enough, another member of the color guard takes it in his hands, and the third member unhooks it.
The head of the color guard calls “At Ease”, and everyone is asked to remain standing while the flag is folded, again with military precision.
Then we were all asked to join in singing “God Bless America”.
We were able to attend two of the evenings we were at Disneyland.
The second night, when the band was there, the band director stopped on the opposite side of the flagpole from the band and led them in some George M. Cohan patriotic songs.
As the band began to play, a little boy, maybe age 3, came out and stood in front of the director, holding a plastic toy trumpet.
He put the trumpet to his lips and looked up at the director as he led the band.
I'm sure his mother was embarrassed, but what a sweet moment it was.
Disneyland, no matter the other problems of the corporation, is still very patriotic and pays homage, tribute and respect to our military, to our National Standard and to our Republic.
There are some “old” vets, who attend most every night.
They live in the area and have special passes to attend the retreat.
One gentleman, proudly wears a jacket with the name of his ship from WW2, and he and his wife are there as often as they can be, even though both are over 90.
I talked to several men, including one who was a missile maintainer on F-4s and F-16s, before he went to B-52s and their long-range missiles.
I felt very honored to stand around the flag at Disneyland with Brothers and Sisters in Arms, as we honored the National Standard as it was retired for the day.

Jim Too