Disney Honors World War II Veteran at Disneyland Flag Retreat

Disney Honors World War II Veteran at Disneyland Flag Retreat

As the sun began to set over Disneyland Resort’s Main Street, U.S.A. Station, a crowd gathered in Town Square for a poignant flag retreat ceremony. The special guest of honor was none other than U.S. Army Staff Sgt. “Papa Jake” Larson, a 101-year-old World War II veteran. The ceremony honored his selfless service, courage, sacrifice, and unwavering love for his country.

Related – First Look at the Holiday Foods & Merchandise at Disneyland

During World War II, Papa Jake bravely fought in six battles in Europe including storming Omaha Beach as part of the D-Day landing and later in the Battle of the Bulge. He was thrilled to visit Disneyland Resort for the first time and never imagined he’d one day be the center of attention saluting the American flag in the very park that had become a symbol of the dreams and freedoms he fought to protect.

A daily flag retreat ceremony in Town Square has been a proud tradition since the opening day of Disneyland in 1955. Throughout that time, security cast members have diligently raised and lowered the American flag each day, including during the park’s 13-month closure. During this storied daily flag retreat ceremony, entertainment cast from the Disneyland Band and Dapper Dans regularly contribute musical performances to bring emotion to this time-honored ceremony. It’s a symbol of the enduring spirit of liberty, thanks in no small part to the selfless service and sacrifices of veterans like Jake Larson.

“At 101 years young, I never thought I’d experience the wonder, excitement and magic of Disney, but here I am with my family,” said Papa Jake. “I am truly the luckiest man in the world!” 

A Hero’s Welcome

As part of the ceremony, Papa Jake was named as an Honorary Citizen of Disneyland—a rare and distinguished honor. To make it official, Disneyland Resort President, Ken Potrock invited him inside the legendary Walt Disney apartment to present the veteran with an official certificate beautifully framed under glass.

While Papa Jake has been a California resident for the last 67 years, he shared that this was the first time he had visited Disneyland Resort. While his family have visited many times, they shared that having the opportunity to enjoy the parks with their hero and see him honored at the flag retreat ceremony made this visit one they would never forget.

“Watching my 101-year-old dad experience Disney’s magic for the first time is a reminder to all that life’s wonders never expire!” said Papa Jake’s son, Karlan Larson.

Joining the Anaheim Ducks in saluting a World War II Hero

The festivities at Disneyland Resort to recognize Papa Jake for his service were only one part of the weekend’s activities as we joined with our friends at the Anaheim Ducks who had plans of their own to celebrate this World War II hero. Following Papa Jake and his family’s day at The Happiest Place on Earth, they visited another Anaheim landmark at Honda Center to be honored by the Ducks as their Hero of the Game on Nov. 22.

“Eighty years ago on D-Day, 156,000 allied troops landed in Normandy, France with the near impossible mission to liberate the world from tyranny,” said Bill Foltz, CEO of OCVIBE.  “We are proud to join our friends at Disneyland Resort in honoring one of the ‘greatest generation’, Papa Jake Larson, who was among those soldiers turning the tide of World War II.”

Disney was honored to help honor Papa Jake’s military service as part of our company’s enduring admiration for servicemembers, veterans and their families beginning with our founders Walt and Roy O. Disney’s service to country during the First World War.

Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.

Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.

Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel

Who is your Travel Agent?(Required)

Let us pick for youEric HilesStacy ReedAbbey JohnsonAlisa SullivanAlli WillisAmanda FolsomAmanda VannAmber BrillhartAmber FisherAmy SieburnAndrea SmithAngela AndersonAngie BaycuraAnna PetrilliAnnabelle DuboseApril StefanskiAshley RamseyBeth ParsonsBetsy SantoroBrandie McQueenBrian BuckleyBridget HatchBryan SchwartzCandice SneedCarrie ButlerCarson DockumCasey BoltCharleen HortonChelsea RoyChelsea WuebkerChris BoyerChristie GrubeChristina FratturaChristina SmithCourtney WhiteCraig YoderDan MercedDanielle NorcrossDarby MouritsenDavid ForrestDeborah AlvaradoEmilee BiegelEmily MorrisFaith HakesGail HatchGreg MatzkerHelen HummerHolly CurryJackie CavistonJaclyn PepitoneJamie SwansonJeanine JordanJeff CallahanJenni MaierJennifer BrownJennifer StephensonJennifer StoessnerJessica HatfieldJessica HuffJessica WunderJoe GuertinJon CarpentierJoseph SliwaJulie McCombJustin BrownKat AttridgeKathryn EberhartKathy AndersonKatie HarrellKatie PrevotKayla CookKelsey SullensKim HelmsKimberly HutchinsonKristi GallagherKyle RamsdenLauren DewlenLeanne MonterLinda DurhamLindsay AckermannLindsey VromanLissette BritoLori HardyMallory MorrisonMandi QuinnMaranda PerkinsMarisa AlvaradoMegan TeismannMeghan BlairMelissa ReedMichele KlineMike BeyerMissy McCormickMisty DickersonNancy CasteelNicole ThorntonPatrick O'ConnorPaul SulPeyton Ward-KubikRaylene CooganRegan OstranderRobbie BulusRobert ThomasSara SolbergSarah McCandlishShanna BrowningShelley BennettShelly MetzStacy CristStacy KrzyminskiStacy SmithStephanie DraganoStephanie FerencStephanie WalshSusannah McCordTara SlusserTerri MillerTiffany DobraskiTiffany DrenkhahnTina FarmerTonya LesiukTracy DaneTroy DuncanVeronica RenteriaVicki FesslerWendy CarllWendy HauserWendy KellehanWendy Shelley

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Destination(Required)

Walt Disney WorldDisneyland ResortDisney Cruise LineAulani, A Disney Resort and SpaAulani, A Disney Resort and SpaUniversal FloridaUniversal HollywoodRoyal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian or other Cruise LineI don't know yet

# of Adults(Required)

# of Children(Required)

Check-in-Date(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Check-out-Date(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Comments, Questions or Special Requests

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!