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World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg was honored on his 101st birthday during Disney World’s daily flag raising ceremony on Jan. 25 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Courtesy of Disney)
The “happiest place on Earth” got even more magical for a guest celebrating his birthday.
Walt Disney World Resort celebrated World War II veteran Herb Maneloveg’s 101st birthday during a special flag raising ceremony at the park’s Magic Kingdom Jan. 25 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
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The celebration began for Maneloveg and his family with a trip down Magic Kingdom’s Main Street and a stop to see Cinderella’s Castle. This was followed by a special viewing of the Festival of Fantasy Parade.
The parade featured beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
Maneloveg expressed his joy and gratitude for the special celebratory event, sharing, “It’s all I could ask for.”
World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg celebrates his 101st birthday with his children and grandchildren in front of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. (Disney)
“It’s a wish that’s better than any wish I’ve ever had,” Manelooveg said after watching the parade. “For me, the important thing is the family, and they are here.”
Maneloveg served as a soldier in the US Army’s 106th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in battle and was later awarded a Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered.
“I was on duty (for) two years, two months (and) two days,” Maneloveg told Disney Parks in an Instagram post.
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“When we were 18, I was at Penn State, and we were sent to a military camp, Fort McClellan (in Alabama). We had 13 weeks of basic training. until D-day and on D-Day everything changed,” Manelooveg continued in the post.
The members of Maneloveg’s family, who attended, expressed their gratitude for the celebration.
“My dad is a great guy, he was a military man, but he was also a great father, husband and grandfather,” said Susan Maneloveg, his daughter. “Thanks to Disney and how they honored him. The parade was great, it got everyone’s attention, which was really sweet.”
World War II and US Army veteran Herb Maneloveg salutes Pinocchio during the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. He was honored as the Armed Forces Representative of the Day during the park’s daily Flag Re (Disney)
The American flag is taken down daily, according to the Disney Parks Blog. The park says it’s a “patriotic and reflective moment.”
“(Retiring the flag) has an even deeper meaning when we honor the courage and sacrifices of veterans like (Maneloveg),” said Cappy Surette, senior director of communications for Disney Experiences’ corporate social responsibility team.
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Surette said Disney’s admiration for veterans of the US militaryservice members and their families started with Walt and Roy O. Disney, who both served the country during World War I.
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| DIS | THE WALT DISNEY CO. | 112.80 | +1.26 |
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Walt Disney served in the Red Cross Ambulance Corps. He and his friend, Russell Maas, were given uniforms and reported to Camp Scott, a temporary camp at a burned-out amusement park near the University of Chicago, according to the Walt Disney Family Museum.
After suffering from the flu, Disney joined another company that was waiting for his transport to France. Although the war ended, the company sent 50 men, including Disney, to help with the occupation, according to the museum.
World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg celebrates his 101st birthday in front of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park. (Disney)
The Magic Kingdom has hosted daily flag ceremonies since 1955 disneyland since 1971, to honor veterans and service members.
Each day, a guest is chosen from the park’s daily visitors to serve as the park’s “US Armed Forces Day Representative” during the ceremony.
“The only thing I could ask for is that my wife, who died 20 years ago, was still with us,” said Manelooveg. “But (my family) made her and I proud to be here.”
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ahead of America’s 250th birthdayDisney World reaffirmed its commitment to honoring those who have served.
“We didn’t just witness a ceremony, we witnessed history,” Surette said. “We were honored to salute (Maneloveg) and pay tribute to his military service to our nation.”
